| kwazulu
natal
The KZN branch of the Technology
Association had another busy year. After the National
Technology Conference in September last year, we had
a rollout programme in all the Districts in the Province,
training 4,000 Technology teachers, 2 Saturday workshops
as well as a 2 day mini-conference.
Through a survey and interviews,
the problem area in the implementation of Technology
was established. The majority of teachers indicated
the area of Systems and Control as the most difficult
part of Technology Education. As a result, the Province
decided to concentrate on this problem area during 2007
and 2008.
For this reason the National Technology Conference focused
on Systems and Control. During the Conference we hosted
± 600 delegates. Of these, 300 were sponsored
by the Directorate of Maths, Science, Technology and
ICT. The 300 people consisted of 25 teachers from each
District in KZN.
8 of these 25 teachers were
selected, as Master Trainers, and attended an intensive
3 days training during November 2007, to form the core
team in each District. This was done in preparation
for the rollout programme throughout the Province in
February to March 2008. The District training was done
in 4 X three day workshops with 80-100 teachers in each
training session. The training included theory and hands
on practical work. The teachers experienced working
with different tool and consumables. All these training
materials were given to the teachers in the form of
a book for each grade. In these books, all aspects of
planning and assessment were covered. During this time
period, 4,000 teachers were trained in all the Districts
in the Province. The training focused on Systems and
Control.
Tools, consumables and materials were handed to all
the Master Trainers to assist them with the rollout
programme. Accommodation and venues were procured and
the cost of this project came to R6,5 million.The evaluation
and feedback showed that it was worth every cent.
2 Saturday workshops were conducted
at Durban Education Centre in Overport. 300 teachers
from all over the Province attend these workshops. During
these workshops we had a plenary session for all phases
and then we broke away in Foundation, Intermediate and
Senior Phases for specialist training. The workshops
are conducted by specialist teachers for the Phase and
were of a hands-on nature. The workshops focused on
Processing and Structures. The participants received
a certificate of attendance after each workshop.
During the July holidays we hosted a mini-conference.
All the areas of knowledge were covered during the 2
days round robin workshops. The participants had 4 hours
of intense training on each area from a specialist teacher.
More than 100 teachers attended the mini-conference,
and received a certificate for attending the 12 hours
of training.
The last Saturday workshop for
2008 was held at Durban Education Centre. The focus
was on Systems and Control. The Province will not have
a workshop in the last term as this seems to be such
a busy term and the teachers do not have the time to
attend.
Some of the KZN members of the
Technology Association will attend the National Technology
Conference on 30 September and 1 October 2008 in Pretoria.
The Province plans for 2009
are already in place. They include 3 Saturday workshops
and a mini-conference during the July holidays. Final
dates will be communicated to our members.
The membership of KZN Technology
Association currently stands on 526 members.
This report is from a very busy
and active
branch of the Technology Association.
Ria de Jager
Chairperson KZN Technology Association
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