Jody Meacher's Blog – July 2009 Archive (11)

(simul-posted on learningconversations.blogspot.com)



A week ago, we arrived in Kenya, and at this point, we have made our way to Mbita. This is a remote area by the shores of Lake Victoria. We are staying in a family home and getting to experience many local foods.



We have spent the last three days visiting schools in the area. For 2 days, we travelled in the back of a pick-up truck. Today, we… Continue

(simul-posted on learningconversations.blogspot.com)



Today was an incredible day. In many ways, it is beyond words, but I want to try to write a few of my thoughts.



I spent a second day at Mkhanyiseli Primary School in a grade 7 class. It was such a special day! I was able to put a Flip video camera into the hands of 3 students and watch them explore their school with it. We even had a chance to learn… Continue

(simul-posted on learningconversations.blogspot.com)



What a great session with the EduNova facilitators today! We condensed about 4 workshops into a 3-hour period. We worked on integrating multimedia projects into the curriculum. During the session, we worked on projects using Presentation Software, Digital Storytelling, Video, and desktop publishing. At various times, we had digital cameras, cell phones,… Continue

(simul-posted on learningconversations.blogspot.com)



Well, another week has flown by. So many things happened this week, it is hard to remember them all. We started the week with a workshop for principals of the teachers we met in the first week. It was interesting to hear their perspective on things. The principal’s “boot-camp” lasted 2 days. In many ways, I would have liked for us to participate in more than a… Continue

(simul-posted on learningconversations.blogspot.com)



Ian and I gave a workshop on SMARTBoards for the Khanya facilitators today. It was interesting on many levels.



At some point during our first week, we were told that the Khanya facilitators were responsible for training the teachers to use the IWBs. The teachers clamoured for training, with most having little to no previous experience with a board.… Continue

(simul-posted on learningconversations.blogspot.com)



We are in the middle of our week of workshops for facilitators. Today’s menu included a visioning workshop. When asked about the main goal or mission statement for the organization, the participants came up with a statement about getting computers and training to the school to allow for “curriculum delivery through ICT.”



Think about that for a… Continue

(simul-posted on learningconversations.blogspot.com)



We visited the Cape of Good Hope today. Along the way we stopped in Simon’s Town and saw some penguins. I brought along one of the Flip video cameras that were donated to leave in Africa and was able to capture some video footage to take back for students at home to work with.



I often say that teachers do all the things we wish our learners would… Continue

(simul-posted on learningconversations.blogspot.com)



The first week of workshops is finished. When we arrived home, I went for a walk on the beach and looked back on the week. Here are a few reflections on things that I have learned from these wonderful South African Educators.



1. Slow down and take it easy. I realized this week that it has been a long time since I have worked with teachers who… Continue

(simul-posted on learningconversations.blogspot.com)



Today was the day for discussing issues of access to ICT, and the formation of ICT committees in the schools. I had arranged to have a Skype call with someone who supports and coordinates ICT Integration at the school board level in my home school board. We were waiting to start the Skype call on the big screen when he dropped off Skype.



As I… Continue

(simul-posted on learningconversations.blogspot.com)



I was able to listen to a group a educators in a session this afternoon sing a song called “Shoshanna”. This is a song that is sung all over Africa during soccer matches and the like.. It was a wonderful mingling of the rich, powerful, happy voices of our colleagues. The rhythms of it went straight through to my core. I feel so lucky to have been there… Continue

(simul-posted on learningconversations.blogspot.com)



Well, I have been in South Africa, specifically Cape Town, for a little over a day now. I am here with a Teachers Without Borders – Canada team who will provide ICT training to for teachers from schools in the Townships.



While I am still trying to take it all in and assimilate what I have been seeing.



We visited the school where we will be… Continue