ICT4RED rocking at IST-Africa 2014

Course gamification using badges

The ICT4RED course makes use of badges as part of an Earn As You Learn System that acknowledges teachers' implementation of the course in their classrooms. The badges represent a challenge to apply a specific teaching strategy in their class; to use, create and licence some educational content and to demonstrate their technology skills.

The teachers are taken on a learning journey where they can earn 13 compulsory badges and 5 optional challenge badges that they can try. The badges is not only recognition for actively applying what they are learning, but also a way for them to earn their tablets and technology (for example mobikits and data projectors) for their schools.

To learn more about the badges and criteria, see the following presentation:

ICT4RED Phase 3 Introduction

The ICT4REd project has had many AHH-HAA moments and we have been learning on the fly from our wonderful teachers in Phases 1 and 2. All the lessons learned have been captured and will be shared so that others can take what we have experienced forward into new innovation to improve professional teachers development.

This morning we kicked off with the introduction of phase 3 to the subject advisors in the Cofimvaba district. This phase will be all about handing over training responsibilities to the subject advisers in order to capacitate the district to take the ICT4RED project futher into all the circuits in Cofimvaba.

Phase 3 consist of a further 14 schools in the Nciba circuit where teachers and subject advisors, like in phase 2, will be given the opportunity to earn their technology and integrate mobile devices into teaching and learning. Phase 3 will be managed by the district with the support from the #ict4RED team.



We have also taken lesson learned during phase 2 to rewrite and improve our Teachers Professional Development course to be even more interactive and engaging.  The course has been simplified and streamlined and 9 of the 10 modules will be facilitated by the subject advisers after extensive "Train the Trainer" sessions to make sure that they are confident in supporting their teachers to become learner centred facilitators.



Schoolnet will be doing the Change Management training with the subject advisers to ensure that they can support the schools in their care to manage mobile technologies infrastructure and issues. They will also facilitate the process of helping schools to create ICT strategies to cope with the nitty gritty implementation of the ICT4RED mobile initiative.

Mathematics and science boosted in Cofimvaba by mobile science outreach unit

The Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom, handed over a mobile science outreach unit to the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDE) in the Cofimvaba District today. The mobile laboratory is part of the Technology for Rural Education and Development (Tech4Red) initiative, led by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), which aims to establish whether the introduction of innovative technologies can improve the quality of teaching and learning in rural areas.

A science centre is envisaged for the Cofimvaba district. This will contribute to DST's efforts to raise awareness of science, engineering and technology (SET) among the general public, and to inspire young people to pursue studies and careers in SET-related fields.

For more information about this initiative see http://www.gov.za/speeches/view.php?sid=45012

For more photo's and videos, see http://goo.gl/otilBn

Game Based Learning

One of the innovative teaching strategies chosen for our ICT4RED course is Game Based Learning. The teachers experienced first hand how gaming strategies can create excitement, motivate learners and at the same time assist in seamless learning of complex issues. Using a well played favourite like Angry Birds, the teachers looked at how you can use games to explore mathematical concepts while having loads of fun. It also showed that you are never to old to beat the young ones at their own game!

Next up was a our very own Cofimvaba ICT4RED Quiz show where the teachers competed in teams to demonstrate their knowledge of copyright, creative commons and fair use. The tension at times were scary as everybody raced against time and each other to earn the top quiz honours.

We finished off with a using the tablets to compose original songs using the musical instruments app on the tablets. Our teachers yet again showed us that there is no shortage of talent and creativity in Cofimvaba.

Using Mobile devices to do field trips and gallery walks

Module 7 and 8 training for our ICT4RED teachers

Today we are welcoming all our #ict4red teachers back to Queens college for a continuation of our ICT4RED course. We will be doing Gallery walks and a field trip to demonstrate how these 2 classroom strategies can help our learners to become 21st century champions. The teachers will be using their tablets to explore how this can be done in their classrooms.

To get live updates from the venue, follow our very lively twitter stream here: http://goo.gl/MSeiSw

During the gallery walk, the teachers will be discussing very important issues using topical exhibits. They will then go online and continue the discussing in a virtual environment (this blog). The exhibit discussion is taking place here: http://goo.gl/e5ETDz.

The topics under discussion are:
Exhibit 1: Digital identities
Exhibit 2: Phishing
Exhibit 3: PLNs pr PLCs
Exhibit 4: Online safety