The face-to-face part of the blended university-accredited Short Learning Programme (SLP) on Managing and Leading Education Change with Digital Technologies, which involved Teacher Centre Managers and e-Learning Specialists, has now been completed and will be followed by three months of virtual training until the completion of the NQF level 8 Post Graduate Diploma course. The three-day course was organised by the DBE in partnership with UNICEF, Microsoft and Vodacom at the University of Johannesburg from 11 to 14 July 2016. The training was aimed at strengthening the implementation of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) to equip learners with the necessary skills in line with the 21st century.
Some participants shared the following remarks about their experience and knowledge gained during the training:
Mr Colin du Plessis, Gauteng East Centre Manager, said that, “The three days I spent on this course have been rewarding. I learned a lot because the course entailed theory and practical lessons, and I therefore had an opportunity to gain more knowledge on ICT. Through this course I am confident that our centres will become more effective and beneficial for the teachers. In my view, I found this course to be well planned and structured; hence it allowed more interaction amongst all the participants.”
Mr Pierre de Villiers, e-Learning Specialist from the Eastern Cape Province, mentioned that, “The course was interesting and informative; it will assist all of us to improve the functionality of the Teacher Centres across the country. It is essential for us to become e-literate because technology is dominant in our lives. One thing that the Government must look at is to prioritise the ICT infrastructure in public schools”.
Mrs Zanele Dlamini from the Izingolweni Teacher Centre in the KwaZulu-Natal Province said: “I enjoyed this course because it equipped me with a better understanding of the use of ICT resources.”
Mr Husain Mollagee, e-Learning Specialist from the Western Cape Province, remarked, “I am very excited that I was part of the training. I advise Government to conduct more training to strengthen our digital education more effectively.”
Apart from the participants, Dr Jacqueline Batchelor, UJ Senior Lecturer (Mobile Learning) was pleased that the course unfolded successfully as expected. “All the participants were co-operative and were ambitious to learn. Although some were overwhelmed by the complexity of the course, the knowledge obtained from this training will play a crucial role in advancing their job performance going forward,” she said.
The Director for Curriculum Research, Dr Aaron Nkosi thanked the participants for their enthusiasm and their determination in improving the implementation of ICT in schools and added that the Department will collaborate with the Provincial Departments of Education in ensuring that all Teacher Centres are fully resourced.