FAQ

The proposed dates are as follows, with the times still to be confirmed:

Workshop 1: Friday 2 – Sunday 4 March 2012

Workshop 2: Friday 23 – Sunday 25 March 2012

Workshop 3: Friday 4 – Sunday 6 May 2012

A:These weekends will take place at St John’s College (Prep School) in Johannesburg.

A: The format for the weekends is as follows:

Friday afternoons: An opportunity to Unpack CAPS, build a community, professional development, influence the design and content, have discussions and debates

Saturdays and Sundays: Open spaces to collaborate, author and share resources with expert and technical support.

We have also identified a focus area for each weekend, although it will not be restricted to this. These are:

Workshop 1: Content (with the aim of getting most of the writing done and completed by the next workshop)

Workshop 2: Assessment (this will focus on activities, investigations, exercises, etc with the aim of ensuring cognitive development across the grades and strands)

Workshop 2: Technology (this weekend will focus on technology and rich media integration, and possibly also filming some experiments)

A: Due to the nature of the work and the collaboration required, we would ideally like all participants to be there for the full three weekends. However, we realize that this is impossible, especially with how busy educators are!

So, we are asking all educators to be there for the full first workshop (weekend 1), and thereafter for each Friday afternoon session.

We feel it is important for everyone to be there for the first workshop in order to make the project a success, and to follow up with the Friday afternoon sessions. Furthermore, the Siyavula team, along with expert and technical support, will be present the whole time, and we encourage educators to attend when they can for the second two weekends.

A: Siyavula will provide 50% of the content for the workbooks, which will serve as a base (along with an example of the “ideal” chapter, a chapter template, plus any other relevant information – this is expanded on under “What will Siyavula provide”). Educators will share their own material and add it to the existing content, plus source more open content online should there be any gaps.

A: Each of the weekends will be structured in such a way to ensure all content is covered, that everyone is supported in their work, and that all energy is focused in order to produce the best quality workbooks possible!

A: This is a collaborative effort – we will need a minimum of 12 educators to participate to make it feasible, with 24 educators being the ideal number!

A:

The educator	South Africa	Siyavula	Sasol Inzalo
Unpack CAPS – best possible prep for 2013Professional development Become part of a bigger, stronger community of like-minded people First to have notes for 2013 – will also be familiar with them Gives a competitive advantage Saves time in the long run Gain new ideas Input into design of workbooks Opportunity to voice opinion and improve curriculum As an educator, your classes will have the best possible expertise and experience through your involvement here	Lay the best foundation for a Science literate South AfricaAvailable to the WHOLE country OPEN Available online and on mobile Sasol Inzalo partnership	Awesome workbooks – where technology is integratedBuild support services – for our own sustainability Spread our message about openness, technology and commitment to education Create a logical flow through workbooks, to support Grade 10-12 textbooks You cannot solve the problem at Grade 10 – it’s too late	Make a difference to Science education in South Africa, thereby providing for a better future especially in Science, Engineering and Technology fieldsHave logos on all books for Grade 4-9 Be known to have invested in South African learners and Science education

A: These weekends are free of charge – all we ask is for your time and expertise! 

 

2) Professional development

• Cognitive development
• Critical thinking
• Brain storming
• Rich media (Twig video archive)
• Group dynamics (a professional facilitator will be present)

 

3) Like-minded people

• Sharing Passionate
• Enthusiastic
• Experienced

 

4) Venue

• St John’s College – Prep School (Johannesburg)
• Logistics
• Food
• Venues to conduct experiments
• Internet connection