Technology by itself is no silver bullet that ‘fixes education’. And the video that you reference was, I guess, an attempt to show how much excitement can be generated, and how easy it is to engage learners for whom digital technology is not ‘special’ but a matter of course, unlike many teachers, who think of computers and iPads as an IT thing (in this day and age, analogous to someone thinking of pencils as a woodwork/graphite thing, instead of a creative tool).

It’s a shame that almost all of the examples used were substitutive examples, rather than transformative ones (and here I must empathise with the creators of the video – making a short video that addresses a subject that complex in 5 short minutes is a challenge).

And I agree with you about your bandwagon quote. Even though it’s expensive, signing off and purchasing the latest technology is very easy – it just requires a signature on the bottom of a purchase order. The really challenging part is the meaningful integration of that technology into the learning process. And with something as potentially revolutionary as the iPad, it’s a challenge. I’m looking at the quote from Mr. Wright above and without any further information other than a cursory look at their web site, I’d say the biggest challenge any school faces with a device like the iPad is the task of creating a powerful environment for learning, rather than an environment for teaching. (although I do like the idea of using an iPad as a virtual smart board rather than one of those expensive big clunkers)

(Comments in a blog during the middle of a working day are not the best places to put forward a contentious argument either ; – )

Professional development for teachers is so important. We just have to be sure that we are developing the right strategies.

Keep up the great work and keep challenging the status quo.

Alan (who keeps over using brackets as usual)

Because we are a public school we have all the CAPS and GET books (and many more) which the government curriculum assigned all the school in SA on our iPads, each class and teacher got their own resources.

I hope you can visit us soon to see it in action. All the classrooms got internet access and our website is a information hub to all students and teachers.

Just to mention, all the teachers bought their own iPads and no funds nor companies sponsored us. We did it because we believe in the best in education and this is truly the best.

Thanks

Mr. Wright
Kragveld Primary

Thanks for your comment!

I agree with you – for any technology implementation project to be successful there has to be significant planning and preparation. The approach you have laid out is spot-on and I really like the fact that you have incorporated not only training but ongoing accountability into your iPad project.

Please continue to add your voice to the ongoing edtech discussions amongst South Africa’s teaching community.

Kind regards

Arthur

I think the brevity of the video hides the planning and reflection that goes into these projects. You are correct as far as getting the pedagogy right before you throw technology into the mix. Pedagogy is of the utmost importance and that is why it is necessary to utilize resources and time for educator training. By training I’m not referring to technical training on how to use a device, but on ongoing professional development of an educator’s teaching pedagogy and practice. Our personal success can be attributed to such training at least 6 months prior to implementation with set objectives and with facilitation by an education expert. It is also best practice to have a curriculum specialist visiting classrooms in order to give feedback to both educators and the project team on the success of the applied teaching strategies. As a result you can develop instruments that allow the success of these ICT-integration strategies to be measured.

Kind Regards
Richard Knaggs
(Parklands College)

Thanks for your comments – I thought this might elicit a reply from you or one of your team! I appreciate you taking the time to write.

Let me be crystal clear on this – I am an iPad fan and believe that they are fantastic teaching tools capable of taking pupils on a wonderfully creative learning journey. My contention however is that there are simply way too many people who see this piece of technology as a panacea for poor teaching and as a one-size-fits-all quick fix in the classroom.

You are absolutely correct in your assertion that stones and bottle tops will not allow for digital literacy but let’s fix our pedagogy first! I am a very vocal proponent of the integration of digital literacy into the curriculum so would love to see this as part and parcel of all learning in schools. However it would seem that many schools in South Africa need first to fix the basics before embarking on the journey towards effective 21st century teaching. This is true across schools of all descriptions and across all socio-economic sectors.

There are some phenomenal educators doing the most amazing things with iPads in South Africa – our school hosts an iPad TeachMeet once a term and we see examples of this work from teachers across the Cape Peninsula. As I indicated, I believe one of our biggest challenges is to take this learning into all our schools!

Thanks for all you are doing in this regard. You and your team are making a difference!

Kind regards

Arthur

I am excited to be part of this extended EduTech conference. And proud that we are holding it at Elkanah House. I believe education needs to keep up and include the worlds social media platforms. The possibilities with educ. are huge and exciting.

I look forward to meeting you there.

Kind regards
Simone

PS: Fabulous blog!

Thanks for leaving a comment! I passed by you several times at conference and wanted to introduce myself and have a chat but each time you were busy with delegates and guests! I’m sure we’ll find a moment in the future to chat together. It would be wonderful to share with you as I know you have many wonderful ideas for SchoolNet and its role in education.

Thanks for all you do!