Thursday, October 20, 2005
This morning, only 5 learners rocked up for class. The class was cancelled and I had to go all the way back home.
I am back on campus now as I tutor from 14h00 until 17h00. I've been here an hour and only one student so far has asked for my help. I wish they would make these tuts compulsory so that I could feel like I've really earned the money that I get at the end of each month.
I have not used the computer much this week except for the occasional email or internet banking transaction. After the fast I am going to continue my research (for my dissertation) and will therefore use the computer much more then.
Our class was cancelled this week and so I cannot write about the part that deals with 'what I've learnt in class this week. '
I am back on campus now as I tutor from 14h00 until 17h00. I've been here an hour and only one student so far has asked for my help. I wish they would make these tuts compulsory so that I could feel like I've really earned the money that I get at the end of each month.
I have not used the computer much this week except for the occasional email or internet banking transaction. After the fast I am going to continue my research (for my dissertation) and will therefore use the computer much more then.
Our class was cancelled this week and so I cannot write about the part that deals with 'what I've learnt in class this week. '
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Click on the following links to learn more about Computer-based Education:
http://www.ncrel.org/tplan/cbtl/phase1.htm
http://www.uncg.edu/erm/SACS_Docs/syllabi/ERMSyllabi.htm
http://www.nrf.ac.za/yenza/teaching/#South%20African%20resources
http://www.meg.uct.ac.za/
http://www.meg.uct.ac.za/icbta/literature_reviews/EvalLitReview.htm
Learn how to help your child write better:
http://www.ncte.org/edpolicy/writing
http://www.ncte.org/prog/writing/updates/115419.htm
http://www.ncrel.org/tplan/cbtl/phase1.htm
http://www.uncg.edu/erm/SACS_Docs/syllabi/ERMSyllabi.htm
http://www.nrf.ac.za/yenza/teaching/#South%20African%20resources
http://www.meg.uct.ac.za/
http://www.meg.uct.ac.za/icbta/literature_reviews/EvalLitReview.htm
Learn how to help your child write better:
http://www.ncte.org/edpolicy/writing
http://www.ncte.org/prog/writing/updates/115419.htm
Hi all
This is me at my Graduation Ceremony two years ago. This was one of my proudest moments and I want to share it with the whole world.
This week has been much better and easier than expected. Normally in the fast I am not very productive, i.e. I do not get much work done due to the fact that I have no energy. This year I feel a bit more energetic and manage to get a little bit of work done.
This week in class, we continued with Dreamweaver which we have to use to create our own website. I am not familiar with this software and therefore everything we do is new to me. However, I find that I learn much more through trial and error than in class (sorry Geoff). I have therefore decided to spend at least two hours a day (until the 7th Nov when it is due) on creating my website.
This week in class, we continued with Dreamweaver which we have to use to create our own website. I am not familiar with this software and therefore everything we do is new to me. However, I find that I learn much more through trial and error than in class (sorry Geoff). I have therefore decided to spend at least two hours a day (until the 7th Nov when it is due) on creating my website.
Friday, October 07, 2005
Hi all
The holy month of ramadaan has started and I have therefore decided not to feel despondent, like I did last week. Ramadaan is like a new beginning, so the attitude towards my studies is going to be a positive one. I am going to be more patient and understanding.
This week Rabaitse and Jerry taught ICT in SA. Once again, we did group work and once again it was fun. We had to rate the charactersitics of school principals from most important to least important. This warranted a lot of discussion and argument and this was the fun part. The rating was then done on computer.
This week I used the internet quite a bit as I had to do some marking online. It was really great doing it this way as I could grade the assignments, record the marks and email students all at the same time. In a few cases, learners submitted the wrong assignments and some did not bother to submit their assignments. I could then email them immediately.
ICT is wonderful. I was able to send my family and friends Ramadaan mubarak (well wishes for the fast) messages via email. My friend emailed me some ramadaan recipes which was quite useful. If you are interested I could make them available to you. Simply drop me a line.
The holy month of ramadaan has started and I have therefore decided not to feel despondent, like I did last week. Ramadaan is like a new beginning, so the attitude towards my studies is going to be a positive one. I am going to be more patient and understanding.
This week Rabaitse and Jerry taught ICT in SA. Once again, we did group work and once again it was fun. We had to rate the charactersitics of school principals from most important to least important. This warranted a lot of discussion and argument and this was the fun part. The rating was then done on computer.
This week I used the internet quite a bit as I had to do some marking online. It was really great doing it this way as I could grade the assignments, record the marks and email students all at the same time. In a few cases, learners submitted the wrong assignments and some did not bother to submit their assignments. I could then email them immediately.
ICT is wonderful. I was able to send my family and friends Ramadaan mubarak (well wishes for the fast) messages via email. My friend emailed me some ramadaan recipes which was quite useful. If you are interested I could make them available to you. Simply drop me a line.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Hi all
Feeling a bit despondent about my studies. I have emailed my lecturer twice ( and I've posted a message via our WebCT class) and for some reason he does not bother to reply. I also emailed another lecturer and the same thing happened, no response. I know that they are busy but I feel that they also have a responsibility towards their students.
Apart from the lack of communication, I am excited about what I've learnt this week. We just had a class (presented by Nick, our Tutor). He showed us how to use Hot Potatoe. It was fun.
Have to go now. Until next time.
Feeling a bit despondent about my studies. I have emailed my lecturer twice ( and I've posted a message via our WebCT class) and for some reason he does not bother to reply. I also emailed another lecturer and the same thing happened, no response. I know that they are busy but I feel that they also have a responsibility towards their students.
Apart from the lack of communication, I am excited about what I've learnt this week. We just had a class (presented by Nick, our Tutor). He showed us how to use Hot Potatoe. It was fun.
Have to go now. Until next time.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Hi Everyone,
I am rather disappointed to see that no one sent me any comments. Is there anyone out there?
On a more serious note, I am supposed to record "what I've learnt in class this week" over the next couple of weeks and also how I've used the computer/ICT in my daily life.
Last week we had recess and so had a bit of a break ( not really, we had an article to write).I can comment on the previous week's class though. Basically what I've learnt is that it is much more fun to actually do something practically, instead of listening to a lecture. Prof divided us into 4 groups, each with a different topic to research and then design a computer-based activity on the given topic.
We were under tremendous pressure to gather as much information as we could and then use that information to guide the design of the learning activity. I loved the idea of working in a group as one can achieve so much more when one puts one's heads together. I must admit that in the past I had never enjoyed group work as I always got really irritated with people that did not pull their weight or that wait till the eleventh hour. I am deadline driven and get annoyed with people who are not. However, I have decided to make a conscious effort to 'change my ways' as the emphasis nowadays is on collective learning as opposed to individual learning.
So, in a nutshell I have learnt the value of group work as well as that of 'hands on' learning.
With regards to the use of ICT, I have used the internet to gather information for my article (assignment). Also, almost on a daily basis I do internet banking for my husbandwho is self-employed. I have also contacted my brother in Cape Town via e-mail.
One of my ex-learners just contatcted me and asked me to help her with her assignments. That means I have to go. Until the next time, bye bye.
I am rather disappointed to see that no one sent me any comments. Is there anyone out there?
On a more serious note, I am supposed to record "what I've learnt in class this week" over the next couple of weeks and also how I've used the computer/ICT in my daily life.
Last week we had recess and so had a bit of a break ( not really, we had an article to write).I can comment on the previous week's class though. Basically what I've learnt is that it is much more fun to actually do something practically, instead of listening to a lecture. Prof divided us into 4 groups, each with a different topic to research and then design a computer-based activity on the given topic.
We were under tremendous pressure to gather as much information as we could and then use that information to guide the design of the learning activity. I loved the idea of working in a group as one can achieve so much more when one puts one's heads together. I must admit that in the past I had never enjoyed group work as I always got really irritated with people that did not pull their weight or that wait till the eleventh hour. I am deadline driven and get annoyed with people who are not. However, I have decided to make a conscious effort to 'change my ways' as the emphasis nowadays is on collective learning as opposed to individual learning.
So, in a nutshell I have learnt the value of group work as well as that of 'hands on' learning.
With regards to the use of ICT, I have used the internet to gather information for my article (assignment). Also, almost on a daily basis I do internet banking for my husbandwho is self-employed. I have also contacted my brother in Cape Town via e-mail.
One of my ex-learners just contatcted me and asked me to help her with her assignments. That means I have to go. Until the next time, bye bye.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Hi everyone. My fellow students and I have been asked to create a blog as part of our course (M.ED Computer-based Education at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa). This is just a trial session. My next posting will be much more exciting so watch this space!!!
