CUT e-Learning unit in collaboration with the Free State Department of Education (FSDoE-eLearning section) joined hands towards blended learning, a way to go in today’s classroom setups.  

In 2016, CUT Schools Advancement Academy (SAA) implemented the Tshehetso ya Thuto Project (TYTP), an initiative aimed at maximising teaching and learning by way of conducting extra classes to learners from grade 8 to 12 in Motheo, Lejweleputswa and Xhariep districts. At that time, the project team discovered that Lere la Thuto Secondary School in Zastron, Xhariep district, had Wi-Fi connection and the ICT equipment (laptops for teachers, tablets for learners, interactive whiteboards, etc.) that was gathering dust in the storeroom corner due to lack of ICT knowledge, skills and training for both educators and learners on how to use the equipment. 

The CUT-SAA engaged the department on the matter to explore ways on how they can assist the school with training on the use of those gadgets to enhance their teaching and learning and improve the quality of education. Although the department was driving the ICT training programme for educators, their focus was on Microsoft packages (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). The department gave permission to CUT e-Learning unit to conduct parallel training to 28 teachers of Lere la Thuto School and equip them with the necessary skills to operate the gadgets in class. On 27 January 2017, Mr Wynand Viljoen, a CUT expert in the E-Beam system, led the workshop training programme at the school. The teachers were workshopped on the use of E-Beam, an interactive system that allows any whiteboard to become interactive. 

Mr Wynand also shared his experience, innovative tips, and tricks on how to make lessons more interesting and fun for both learners and teachers. Some of the advantages he shared about the use of gadgets in teaching and learning were communication consistency, flexibility, paperless, ability to track learner’s progress and high levels of participation.   

Images 

Mr Wynand Viljoen, a CUT expert in the E-Beam system at Lere la Thuto Secondary School in Zastron, Xhariep district work-shopping 28 educators on the use of eLearning in the classroom setup.