What a wonderful list! I find it interesting that people from countries other than mine seem to have the a lot of the same ideas. It makes me realize how much “the same” we all really are.

Good Day Kobus

I would like to post a comment wrt “laptops for educators”. Personally, I think it’s a brilliant anitiative, it would make our lives so much easier in of administrative tasks, teaching and learning. As a computer teacher at my school, I’ve been extremely fortunate in that I’ve been exposed to this (and other) technologies and delighted to admit, what a blessing it has been. Teaching is such a pleasure and learners also seem to enjoy this medium of instruction. Furthermore, I would like to encourage colleagues to embrace the technology that is available, i.e. EWB, Khanya Labs, Mindset, MasterMaths. These are all tools to assist us and our learners, it not intended to burden educators. I’ve been using technology for the past 4 years now and I can gladly say that I’ve noticed the complete turnaround in my colleagues and learners in terms of teching and learning. I’m not saying that we have “seemless ICT intergration”at our school, but are striving to get their. Furthermore, I think our school are lucky in that I’ve been blessed with a skill i.t.o ICT (and I’m sure there are many others at other schools as well) and I gladly share my knowledge with them and colleagues at neighbouring schools. We’ve implemented a ICT development programme at our school whereby we allocate a seesion every week for staff development in the use and intergration of ICT. This has relly helped our staff at my school to really appreciate the value of ICT in an school environment. We’ve formulated a customised course for educators focussing on using ICT in our day to day activities. I can also gladly say, that because of this, our staff is 99% computer literate. However, this is an ongoing developmental process. So, in short colleagues, I want to encourage you to embrace the use of ICT as this will open a portal to new experiences for all involved.

Kobus, as always, you have given me so much to think about! I especially like your emphasis on private industry including itself in the education of future workers. What an interesting perspective! Since they so often spend their money on remediation, it makes sense that they would get involved in the educational system. We would just need to be sure that their private, narrow, or self-serving interests did not outweigh or tip the balance of other curriculum areas of focus.

I have responded to your tag and continued the meme on my blob (http://edutwist.com/elin/2009/03/change-education/). Unlike you, I am long-winded, but it is because I feel so passionately about the 5 areas I discussed.

Thank you for your thoughtful ideas and for tagging me. You are such a valuable resource and such a provocative thinker!

ha ha! “on my blog” not “on my blob” — although that could be a matter of opinion!