Integration of ICT and Maths/Sciences

I am one of the people believe that technology/computers, sciences and mathematics is the future of all developing countries.

The initiatives like Sciences Expos, Investors, etc are a way to go and need to be nurtured to all learners. I therefore wish that there should be more and more of these activities/project competitions.

The only challenge is to get enough good participants so as to keep the standard as high as possible. I also think that, since there are more primary and secondary/high school participants coming up, may be there is a need to consider taking primary schools and secondary/high schools on separate days, but following each other.

I am sure may be that's one concern you had considering the numbers this year.

Hope to hear your comments. Well done, again!

Integration of ICT an

Siqongweni also participated at Olwazini Science Expo

These were so passionate learners that have just joined the school at grade 8, but they can do Volcaneo and Water Purification projects. I was really impressed!

Olwazini Young Scientists Expo

Today I was involved in judging at the Eskom Young Scientists Expo held at Olwazini.

I was really impressed with the learners work. I wish more and more of these opportunities could be created to encourage project-based learning. There were about 150 learners representing different schools from Primary level to Secondary level. I wish to extend a word of appreciation to Olwazini staff. You did a great job, keep it up and continue to create these opportunities for our kids. We are really proud of you and,

TOGETHER WE CAN DO MORE!

Grade 11 Trig Revision

I have to prepare my learners for June Examination. They are actually struggling with Trig. I am going to try and give them more practice exercises. I have noticed that, there are some misconceptions that I have to iron out before they write Mid-year Exams.

It is really challenging to teach math if learners are not that fully developed in thinking skills, hence I am trying to inittiate problem-solving at grade 8 level from this year.

Teacher Laptop Initiative

This is a great move from the DoE and in fact something like this is long overdue. The challenge will be to make sure that there is fair distribution from the start, so as to avoid one-sided development while ignoring one large portion. I think there should be a clear model to be followed so as to make sure that educators get equitable fair chance to access this scheme.

One challenge obviously will be to monitor the whole project. I think capacity has to be build at district/circuit level. There is a need to carefully monitor that there is no abuse of this scheme as some educators can take chances. The Government Gazette (8 May 2009, No 32207) speaks to some of these issues, but the thing is, that is just a document like any other government documents. There is need for proper and careful monitoring, otherwise we will wake up when it is already late.

On a positive note, the Gazette has specifications on hardware and software. I have a concern with the battery power of 2 hours. The school day is maximum of 7 hours. Some laptops batteries can go up to 3 hours. Again these are just estimates depending on the processing of information, same like cellphones (depending on calls). I therefore suggest a special concession of a spare battery in case the educator is in a school without electricity. This is one area that needs to be looked at. Another one is that of printing. There must be a move towards considering providing network printers to schools. Another challenge if there is not electricity!

I have just highlighted a few issues, there are actually many, but I give the project a thumbs up!

Grade 8 Math problems

One of the days, I gave my grade 8 a language related math problem. It became evident that there were struggling and I opted for vernacular, they understood and then they were able to solve the problem. Language is really an issue when it comes to problem solving. I wish somebody out there can make our educationist/curriculum developers make it a point this matter is addressed before it's too late.

The problem was "The sum of the two numbers is 2 1/4 and one of the numbers is 1 2/7. Find the other number." They were struggling and some of them added these numbers since they know that sum has to do with addition. I was really concerned as this is basic arithmetic having to do with language. I wish we can do justice to our learners before the damage is too big and unbrearable at grade 12 level, where everybody seem to whoo-ha!

A Typical Math curriculum problem

In Trigonometry, inverse ratios are not longer covered according to NCS at FET level. This was one of the decisions that made mathematics to be a little bit below standard. I have been trying to solve the problem given last in June, 2008 P2, grade 11, trig problem was, if tan 25 = a, determine, in terms of a: (tan 205 - tan 115)/(tan 245 + tan 335). It became too cumbersome to evaluate this without using cotangent and 270. I am not sure if enough research was done so as to remove this powerful reciprocals knowledge.

But, I think we need to get used to living into the future and not complain too much. Math is hear to stay and curriculum can change with mankind needs and requirements.

Worldwide event in Hong Kong, Nov 2008

When I was in Hong Kong! This was the worldwide event for Microsoft Innovative Teachers

Not entered ITA 2009

This year I did not enter the Microsoft Innovative Teachers Awards. The thing is, it was too early for me as I am in a new school with very limited ICT resources.

I am looking forward to hear and see that good projects were idenitfied and won.

Good luck to everybody!

My grade 11 Math Class

Today, I really felt so embarassed to find morning clasees math learners waiting for me for almost 30 min as I was late. I started by taking my wife to her new school. I was not aware that traffic can delay me so much. Learners understood.

On a positive note, they really enjoyed my shortened lesson as I gave some tips on Reduction formulae, Special aangles and the use of CAST diagram without using a calculator.

In the other group of grade 11, the lesson was more of tips and strategies on how to best apply reduction formulae. I really enjoyed my two math lessons and it looks like my bad start of the day made me to think hard and fast, so as to best teach, may be one needs to be continiously challenged to keep going.

My career challenges

I've noticed of late that I'm actually on the verge of becoming one of the critics to my job. This came as a result of noting that very few learners can do basic mathematics even at grade 11 already. I think, as teachers, we need to check whether we are still relevant or coping with the new gerataion way of thinking and learning. I don't think that these learners can't do mathematics, may be it's the way we teach them that is boring and not interesting to them.

I wish to undertake a study on how best to meet the standard of these learners so as to teach them in a way that can keep them interested and willing to do more and more learning. My take is, Information and Communication Technologies is one way to try and keep these learners interested. We need to find a way to use mobile phones and video games so as to keep them interested and appreciate the value of education even in these gargets that they are so fond of!

Maths teaching

Today I noticed that my learners are not actually doing enough work independenty. As a result they seem to forget easily. I spoke to them very strong about the dangers of relying on one person to the work and let others copy. They seemed to understand my concerns and I have to keep an eye if they keep the promise. It's really hard to keep them learning as they think that as a teacher I have to tell them everything.

Twittering

I have really considered Twitter as one of the powerful technolgical tools than can be taken advantage of in teaching and learning. I am busy exploring ways and means that one can benefir from this mobile and PC blogging compatibility. If you have any ideas please feel free to comment on my blog.

Thinking about making myself visible

I hope sometimes an individual misses to be visible. I say this because I can see that I have great ideas but not having much opportunity to share, hence I decided to start this blog. I hope my voice will be heard. All I need is to invite as many followers as possible. I am also involved in Twitter!

School to School migration

After leaving Mpophomen High School on the 5 September 2008, I managed to land myself on a number of challenges, but I survived.

I was then place on the 18 February 2009 at Injoloba High Schoo. I was responsible for teaching Mathematics and Technology grade 8. It really enjoyed working in a new environment. My highlight in this school was when I applied for the school to be taken for the one year free internet organised by e-Schools network. The school qualified according to requrements set.

After all processes of my placement were followed, I was then temporary placed to another school, Siqongweni High School in IMBALI township on 18 March 2009.

I really enjoy the new challenges I am facing in this schol and looking forward to shine as I did at Mpophomeni High School.