The word pioneer evokes the image of an early settler in an uninhabited, hostile territory. We think of pioneers as adventurers, people who are willing to make personal sacrifices to find a better life for themselves and others.
The term pioneer is nowadays applied to anyone venturing into unknown areas – not only geographical ones, but also areas of science and thought.
An e-pioneer is one who moves around the world of technology, discovering how it can enhance teaching and learning, and then mapping out a path for others to follow.
If you see yourself as an e-pioneer, you have to be many things. Among others, you need to be:
an explorer
Quite a challenge! But if you have a pioneering spirit – a sense of adventure and a keen desire to bring about a better education system – you can do it.
Click here for more food for thought for e-pioneers.
At this stage of my career @ Khanya, I see myself as an EIAWB Pacesetter e-learning Pioneer. I would like to see the EIAWB succeed in the classroom as an educational assest to LITNUM.
Albie Pacer
Makes me feel like being a Girl Guide all over again… packing my penknife, my bedroll, my pocket-sized first aid kit, and hitting the trail… then stitching my “Pathfinder” and “Trailblazer” badges onto my sleeve…
I don’t know about being all that pioneer stuff. I just want to know more.
Now I know that I am also an e-pioneer! As we are only merging into the use of technology (vs other countries like the Netherlands) we still have a long walk to walk and areas to explore regarding the design, development and use of digital instructional and learning material. That is why e-pioneers is so important and that is why it is so important to collaborate.
An e-pioneer is someone who is passionate about technology and – within the educational context – has a vision beyond the traditional classroom experience. It’s not easy being an e-pioneer in education, as it often results in disturbing the comfort zone of teachers. One needs to ensure that the benefits of technology within a school environment will add value to the teaching and learning experiences. When this happens, then it’s easier to get more and more educators on board and to increase the pace of the integration.
Just as the word “pioneer” originally had a military connotation, relating to a soldier, though not an ordinary foot soldier. It connoted a military engineer, one who preceded the main body and built bridges, roads and trenches. I am that pioneer.
Khanya has gone ahead and opened the way for ICT in our schools, even the poorest of the poor. Khanya has gone into territories where ICT has never been seen or dreamed. Many of our children have only thought of using technology when they pass grade 12 to higher learning institution. Our e-pioneers have built bridges across all the barriers, made inroads with ICT weapons and established “bridgeheads” that have developed into strong Khanya schools. They have opened the way into areas where a few years later every learner and every educator in the Province will be using IT in conveying the curriculum.