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For schools in
remote areas, some without landlines, modern
computer technologies and sophisticated
infrastructures, the idea of participating in an
information technology learning programme and
achieving the required outcomes in between eight
and ten weeks seemed unthinkable.
In April 2004,
the Mpumalanga Department of Education in
partnership with Knowledge Network® implemented
a pilot programme to equip educators and
learners with the skills needed to use a
computer as a tool. The programme involved
Project Managers and Curriculum Implementers
from the Department training educators in a new
learning methodology and training educators to
present lessons on information technology to
learners in their classes. The outcomes based,
project- and goal-oriented, active learning
environment created for the learners required
that the learners achieve the required outcomes
at the end of each lesson, and complete an
assessment. Educators, some with no prior
exposure to computers, were required to mark the
assessments and submit results in electronic
form.
A new way of
thinking, a new way of learning
For educators,
teaching, marking and results generation are all
too familiar - they do that everyday. It is
difficult to imagine the process when computers
are involved if you are not familiar with
computers. This proved no problem for the
educators and learners in the Mpumalanga
Department of Education schools selected for the
pilot. Educators attended the ILAMM® (Integrated
Learning and Mentoring Methodology) course and
training on the Knowledge Network® sessions, and
then presented the sessions to their learners.
The learners applied what they had learned to
the projects and were ready to work in teams,
interpret the assessment, complete the
assessment, and pass the assessment with a
minimum of 70% - some schools achieving this
within eight weeks.
86% pass rate for the pilot, 100% pass rate
achieved by some schools
The pass rate
achieved for the pilot in 2004 was 86% (2313
learners). (See some of the assessments
completed by learners after completing only six
sessions of the programme.)
Dikotelo Combined
School achieved a 100% pass rate for the
participating Grade 9 classes. Mr B S Lekalakala,
educator at Dikotelo Combined School, says that
the educators responded positively and embraced
the project. “Their dedication, enthusiasm, and
methods used under pressing conditions, produced
unbelievable, amazing and excellent results. In
2004, all 120 learners passed and received
certificates even though they had only one
period per week and worked in groups of five. It
is a milestone for the school to produce such
excellent results under difficult conditions.
This is all following the motto of the school
which says that we shall strive to give the best
to our learners and the community, and serve as
a model to all the schools around us.”
Sibonelo Primary
School achieved 100% pass rate for the
participating Grade 6 and 7 classes.
Mr M E Mahlangu,
Principal of Sibonelo Primary School says that
all class teachers took their own classes for
computer literacy. “The educators liked the
programme – it was easy to present to the
learners. It was also easy to change from one
method to another method – this made it easy for
the educators to get the attention of the
learners throughout the lesson. Generally, the
learners liked the programme and enjoyed it very
much. They understood all the lessons and had
the maximum participation in all lessons and in
all the groups. The programme could also be
linked to the other learning areas”, says Mr
Mahlangu.
Wow I never
thought I would see the day …
Mr Vuma, the
maths educator at Sibonelo Primary School says
that it has reduced the workload. “The teacher
now enjoys the laxity of strong information in
computers, no more manual writing. Wow, I never
thought I will see the day to fiddle with
computer gadgets, now I can use it (a computer)
in classes.”
“It is an honour
to work with members of the Mpumulanga
Department of Education, the principals and
educators of the participating schools”, says
Jil D Hrdliczka, Managing Director of Knowledge
Network®. “The level of the educators and
learners in these schools should never be
underestimated. They are capable of achieving
whatever it is they put their minds to, no
matter how difficult,” says Jil.
A Grade 9 learner
at Dikotelo Combined School, Otumiseng Kgarume
says “It is inspiring and I feel good when I am
working on a computer as it frees me from using
a pen for some time. I will be glad if we can
have an Internet because then we will be able to
make research work.”
“For many of the
schools involved in the pilot programme, no time
is being wasted on waiting for more modern
technologies to be installed. They are using the
opportunity to equip their learners with the
computer skills they need for life, creatively
work with limited resources and achieve
outstanding results”, says Jil.
Computer literacy
for rural schools – very possible. What seemed
unthinkable has turned into reality for hundreds
of educators and learners in Mpumalanga schools.
If this is what they can achieve in only six
sessions, imagine what they will be achieving a
few years from now.
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