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IT Training in the Eastern Cape - funding
required for a province that is at risk of
illiteracy and unemployment
by Nokwanda Patricia Magwentshu |
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Introduction |
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am involved in PUM Women's Community Project
where I train educators from various schools in
the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This
is the worst province as far as IT skills are
concerned because of its rural nature. |
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PUM Women's
Community Project is set out to deal with this
digital divide by providing IT Skills to
learners in schools, educators as well as other
professionals in various departments and the
business sector. |
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Partnership with Knowledge Network |
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To close the gap
between the developed and under-developed areas,
PUM Women's Community Project formed a
partnership with Knowledge Network. Knowledge
Network is a renowned IT company with an IT
Learning System that contains educational
programmes for IT Learning from Grade 00 to
Grade 12 as well as for the professionals in
various fields. |
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The Knowledge Network IT Learning System |
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Knowledge Network
consists of programmes that assist educators to
integrated IT into the classroom with a system
that is easy to use, fun to deliver and exciting
for both the educator and the learner.
A unique
methodology (Integrated Learning and Mentoring
Methodology)
ILAMM, developed by Jil D Hrdliczka of
Knowledge Network is used in implementing the
Knowledge Network programmes.
ILAMM caters
for a multi-cultural, multi-lingual and active
learning environment. It enables accelerated
learning, develops creativity, lateral thinking,
logic and problem-solving skills, IT skills and
life skills. It is a wonderful methodology that
is outcomes-based, goal-oriented and
project-based. |
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Infrastructure |
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This consists of
fully developed and tested Session Plans (lesson
plans), together with year planners, assessment
schedules, skills evaluations and year-end
assessments and reports for pre-scholars, JP, SP
and High Schools. |
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It provides all
the management tools to run the projects, and
provides flexibility. The course material is
easy to follow, updated frequently and there is
a lot of support for educators from Knowledge
Network. It provides learning that is fun and
very exciting. The infrastructure is
user-friendly. |
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Attempts by PUM Women's Community Projects in
the Eastern Cape |
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PUM Women's
Community Projects has approached the Eastern
Cape Education Department and, together with
Knowledge Network, presented this IT Learning
System. The Department is excited about it and
has recommended that it be implemented in the
Eastern Cape Schools. |
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Some of the
schools have been training in the programme. I
have been privileged to be trained in the
Knowledge Network programmes so that I can train
the educators from the various schools in the
Eastern Cape. |
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I have been doing
this for a year, but the empowerment and skills
that I have gained make me feel as it I have
been doing this for five years. |
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PUM Women's
Community Project paid for me to receive the
training. I have trained educators for schools
in and around Umtata, Port Elizabeth and Cape
Town. All of the educators have found the system
very exciting and unique. The fact that is has a
methodology that is learner-centered,
outcomes-based and project-based, with a
comprehensive syllabus with structured lessons
and assessment projects, training and
integration of IT and school curriculum.
Knowledge Network IT Learning has therefore
received the thumbs up from the educators.
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As a trainer I
find pleasure to be part of the PUM Women's
Community Projects initiative to alleviate IT
illiteracy in this region. I have been greatly
empowered. |
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When I go out and
train, I am well-equipped and very confident.
The friendly staff from Knowledge Network give
me ongoing support. If I have to travel to a far
away place, they provide all air tickets for me,
wonderful accommodation, good food and ongoing
support to check that everything is going well. |
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Learning is fun
for both the mentors and educators. We learn
together and there is never a stupid question.
Even those touching the computer for the first
time, they gain a lot a confidence after
training. |
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I have trained
educators in the ILAMM methodology using the
course provided as well as session training for
educators from the materials and educator briefs
provided. The results are always good. When they
leave the training centre, they are very excited
and look forward to implementing the Knowledge
Network IT Learning System in their schools. |
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Limitation |
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More schools want
to be involved in IT Learning but they are
limited by the fact that they have no computers.
PUM Women's Community Projects is working day
and night trying to raise funds in order to take
other schools on board.
We hope that
the endeavours of this project will be
successful so that they may bring change to the
province that is at risk with illiteracy and
unemployment. |
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