GUIDELINES FOR LEARNERS USING SOCIAL MEDIA

GUIDELINES FOR LEARNERS USING SOCIAL MEDIA

1.        Align your online image with your goals.

A digital footprint is the reputation you leave online and can include material posted on blogs, and mentions on websites and videos that are uploaded onto sharing sites. Online actions leave a permanent record and remain online, even if you click “delete.” Be thoughtful about what you share online and consider how it would appear to family, friends, colleges, and future employers.

2.        Post Responsibly

Be Mindful of Your Audience. When you use social media for academic purposes, such as for a school assignment, treat the platform as a digital extension of your classroom – the same rules apply online as they do at school. For example, if you would not make fun of a classmate in English class, do not do it online either.

3.        Consider the Consequences to Your Online Actions

Be in control of what you do online, even if it is during personal time. For example, if your classmate is tagging you in rude Tweets, do not reciprocate in a similar way.  Do not share passwords with friends and be sure that the computers do not automatically save passwords. Always log off when you have finished using a site – do not just click out of the browser. Adjust your privacy settings appropriately.

4.        Take Threats of Cyberbullying Seriously

Sending offensive text messages or emails; Posting statements that are not true and create rumours; or Circulating embarrassing photos of a classmate online.

5.        Respect

How you represent yourself online is an extension of yourself.  Do not misrepresent yourself by using someone else's identity. If you run across inappropriate material that makes you feel uncomfortable, or is not respectful, tell your teacher right away.

Reference: edudemic article

http://www.edudemic.com/10-social-media-mistakes-youre-probably-making/

The use of mobile devices in the classroom in the South African context

The use of mobile devices in the classroom in the South African context

In South Africa the use of mobile devices is now like an addiction to people.  Learners now have mobile devices of their own and they carry them at schools.  Seeing that technology is forever changing for the better and is being more advanced, Vodacom developed a program which includes teachers.  To assist teachers to be ICT literate so that there can be effective use and integration of digital content in the classroom.  When learners are taught  with their mobile devices, they are likely to obtain knowledge much faster as they would be using learning tools that they are passionate about. The department has launched a nation wide training initiative to improve teachers computer literacy. As teacher development is crucial to improving education in South Africa. Digital learning enables new strategies such as online and blended learning and competency-based learning, which have the potential to contribute to deeper learning. Providing every student with the opportunities for deeper learning is not possible without a technology-enabled network of tools and strategies to customize and extend learning. Technology helps teachers do more by creating new learning environments that leverage teacher talent and allow students to go deeper. It brings more motivation to students and perseverance.

GAUTENG SCHOOL ADOPTS E-TEXTBOOKS AS TEACHING AND LEARNING TOOLS

USE OF DIGITAL LEARNING TOOLS

A learning tool is any software or online device or service that an individual can use for their own or for academic learning purposes. it  is useful for teaching or training or for creating e-learning. 

GAUTENG SCHOOL ADOPTS E-TEXTBOOKS AS TEACHING AND LEARNING TOOLS

Printed textbooks in South Africa could soon be a thing of the past, if Sunward Park High School is anything to go by. The Gauteng School has made a full conversion from physical textbook into an e-learning environment, leading the revolution into an easier teaching and a more efficient schooling system. It is most befitting that is in the month that South Africa celebrates it’s Human Rights Day that those in attendance got to experience 1 200 learners, from Grade 8 to 12, using tablet computers for their learning. The Basic Education Deputy Minister, Mr Enver Surty, launched this revolutionary initiative in Boksburg, on March 18, in partnership with Modern Information Business (MIB). The required e-textbooks were made available as PDF downloads with support from MACMILLAN and MASKEW MILLER LONGMAN, giving teachers and learners the ability to log onto a massive portal that contains all the books, on all the subjects, in all the grades; as well as access to all materials they need.    Vivian Naidoo, with the intention of using Information Communication and Technologies (ICT) in education to empower South African communities, started MIB 16 years ago. The company provides solutions to different sectors of the market, within both the Private and Public schools. MIB has so far managed to complete more than 500 Maths, Science and Computer labs in Southern Africa and is busy with 600 more. Mr Zakhele Sibeko, a Sunward Park teacher, said that innovation of this kind is what learners in this country need in order to be adequately prepared for further studies at Tertiary level. “It makes life easier for us as well as the learners. All the information we need can easily be accessed from the educational portal provided” he said. Sibeko added that as teachers, their passion is to impart skills and knowledge to learners. “Through these tablets, learners can now explore different sources download various information of the same content which has been taught in class, and can even explore more learning resource through the portal,” he said Faith Makgoba, a Sunward Park learner, said that learners could not be happier for the load that’s been taken off their shoulders, both literally and figuratively. She said the launch of e-textbooks in the classroom has made the learning experience that much easier and enjoyable, adding that the initiative had also relieved them from the school bag loads that they used to carry to school every day.    “We can now access previous question papers, which will help us with our exam preparations as well as general learning. We also are no longer limited to the resources provided at the school, the tablets enable us to access all e-learning material from the portal,” the learner concluded. “Teachers need to embrace technology in teaching in order to make the ICT work. The Department of Basic Education has already digitized all our learning materials and this material is accessible from the Thutong portal to all learners and teachers in schools,” said The Basic Education Deputy Minister, Mr Enver Surty. Images from the event: