The South African ICT in Education Community Initiative ...NSTF 2 April 2014 OBSTACLES TO PROGRESS...
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NSTF 2 April 2014 The South African ICT in Education Community Initiative 2011 to 2014
Transcript of The South African ICT in Education Community Initiative ...NSTF 2 April 2014 OBSTACLES TO PROGRESS...
NSTF 2 April 2014
The South African ICT in Education Community Initiative
2011 to 2014
Bridgein collaboration with the
CoZa Cares Foundation and the Department of Basic Education
hosted the first gathering of the ICT in Education Community on 6 November 2012.
In all, nearly 100 individuals attended. A number had to be turned away.Delegates represented NGOs, corporates, academics, service providers, consultants, start-ups, para-statals, teachers & principals, researchers,
district & provincial officials, DBE, funders, projects ….
INTENDED OUTCOMES
Present 2012 research into the ICT Landscape in South African Basic Education schools commissioned by CoZa Cares
Share common threads of interest and concern as widely and inclusively as possible with practitioners and policy makers in the ICT in education
Chart the way forward for ICTs in South African education
Through collaboration, to establish a community of practice, define its focus areas, and identify opportunities
Outline the DBE’s ICT Implementation Plan and its thinking for ICT
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RESPONSES FROM DELEGATES98 keen to join ICTs in Basic Ed Community of Practice
71 keen on participation at national levelResponses included all 9 provincesInterest shown in district meetings
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FOCUS AREAS
User training (57)Connectivity and access (34)
Hardware & infrastructure (27)Software (37)
Curriculum (78)Policy and implementation (48)
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Other suggested themes• Monitoring and evaluation• IT Teacher Training (& HR in
general) • Building leadership• Research• Mobile and m-learning• Public participation• Building sustainable ecosystems• Creating accountability for funding
from the private sector • Safety
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CLEAR SUPPORT FOR & COMMITMENT TO THE FORMATION OF ICT IN BASIC EDUCATION COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
FocusesThe contribution of the community to the whole systemCreating common purpose, peer support and trust among stakeholdersThe maximising of resources by the communityThe spread of effective practice within the community and its associated stakeholders (horizontal integration)The vertical integration of policy and practice
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On 13 December 2012, an ICTs in Basic Education potential co-funders’ meeting was convened.
13 donor organisations were invited.7 attended, as well representatives of Bridge, DBE and CoZa Cares.
A few funders committed to supporting this community of practice and its work, mainly through in-kind support and donations.
Other possible income streams under consideration are a subscription model and tapping in to resources set aside for Teacher Professional Development and Support.
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The second meeting of the ICTs in Basic Education Community Meeting was held on 18 June 2013.
Defined the ICTs in Basic Education community focus groups, based on the 4 pillars of the DBE Implementation plan:
InfrastructureConnectivityTeacher Professional DevelopmentDigital Content(M & E to be a component of each)
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OBSTACLES TO PROGRESS
• Funding of Bridge as facilitator of the CoP• Contestation of the ICT in Education space among service providers• Sustainability of NGOs• Independence of corporates, particularly preferred providers to
government• Factionalism within government structures• Over-commitment of individuals and organisations
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POSITIVE OUTCOMES
Survey of ICT in Education Community underwayInformal recognition of the community and role players by governmentInclusion of community in government policy discussions
• New understanding of the power of CoPs• Informal clusters and new alliances formed• Satellites and loners drawn in by inclusivity • Voice given to experienced individuals & smaller
organisations• Recognition of credentials of those with on-the-ground
experience• New work and development opportunities opened up
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4 examples of outcomes
“Helicopter crash and burn” episode (shall remain nameless!)
Ability to respond to calls for collaborative work: NECT programme
Development of regional groupings: Cape Town digital content group
Strengthening of current projects through tapping into ICT In Education community network & expertise: ICT4RED
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QUO VADIS?
http://www.cozacares.co.za
https://www.facebook.com/CoZaCares
@CoZa_Cares
http://www.cozacares.co.za/ict-education-audit/
