Saide Current Awareness
25 April 2023
Distance Education
- Digital Applications in Distance Science Education Source: International Society for Research in Education and Science This book has been prepared to introduce common technological tools that can be used in science education in the distance education process. Although most of the applications introduced in the book are used in face-to-face education, this book focuses on
their use in the distance science education process.
- Investigating the Design of an Asynchronous Online Discussion (AOD) in Distance Education: A Cooperative Learning Perspective Source: MDPI This case study explored if an AOD was designed to meet cooperative learning conditions and whether students generated interactions and accomplished higher levels of cognitive learning. The results suggested that in an AOD where cooperative learning conditions were rarely met, students barely interacted and only manifested lower levels of cognitive learning. The researchers proposed that an AOD may not achieve the expected cooperative learning outcomes unless it is well-structured with a systematical integration of cooperative learning theory...
Education: South Africa
- 'Hogging the limelight': Blade Nzimande and deputy cross swords Source: TimesLIVE An extraordinary row has broken out between higher education minister Blade Nzimande and his deputy, Buti Manamela, over who gets the media coverage of the department’s activities. Nzimande accused Manamela of “hogging the limelight” and relegating him to the sidelines in public engagements
- Coronation rolls out 21 mobile libraries to disadvantaged schools this World Book Day Source: IOL Learners from Cypress Primary in Bridgetown received five of 21 fully stocked mobile libraries as part of Coronation and literacy organisation Living Through Learning’s campaign to support disadvantaged schools across the province for World Book Day.
Coronation has committed to support early literacy development to help address South Africa’s early literacy crisis.
Language and Literacies
- Bright new ideas to promote literacy Source: Zer Dropout This article looks at how the Reading for Meaning programme and Mikhulu Child Development Trust are helping parents and caregivers to support their children’s education.
- Celebrating World Book Day 2023 Source: Western Cape Education Department Statement by Minister David Maynier, Minister of Education Western Cape : UNESCO World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated on the 23rd of April each year to recognise the importance of books and authors, and to encourage everyone to read books. In anticipation of World Book Day 2023, officials from the WCED’s Cape Teaching and Leadership Institute (CTLI) and Education Library and Information Service (EDULIS) visited Rouxville Primary School in Kuils River on Friday, 21 April 2023, to hand over books to Foundation Phase learners.
Open Education and Open Educational Resources
- How digital libraries are raising awareness about climate change Source: Governance Now The Climate Change Knowledge Portal, a digital library launched by the World Bank, provides access to over 15,000 climate-related documents. These documents include reports, scientific studies, and multimedia content. The Climate Change Knowledge Portal is freely accessible to individuals around the world and has been instrumental in providing access to credible information about climate change.
- Instructor Support for Open Educational Resources at the McLaughlin Library Source: University of Guelph The McLaughlin Library is home to a wide range of Open Educational Resources (OER), free educational materials such as textbooks, streaming video, and test banks that are openly licensed and available for anyone to use. Many are high-quality and peer-reviewed resources that can be modified and repurposed to meet your teaching needs. The library wants to help alleviate the affordability and accessibility barriers that commercial textbooks present for students and OER can help.
Post Schooling
- Academics challenged to open up transformational knowledge Source: University World News Academics across the globe have been challenged to open up the discussion about transformational knowledge, which includes a holistic focus on higher education systems as well as decolonisation.
As interpreters of knowledge, academics should examine how they can shape alternative ways of knowing, said Crain Soudien, professor emeritus of education and African studies and former deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Town, South Africa.
- Union asks university to justify race-based bursary awards Source: University World News Trade union Solidarity has threatened the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa with legal action if the institution cannot justify the distinction it makes in the awarding of bursaries and fellowships based on race, writes Chris Ndaliso for The Witness.
- ILO New Research reports on Apprenticeship Source: Jet Education Services The International Labour Organization (ILO) has released new research on Apprenticeships under the Apprenticeship Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT) project. The compilation has a main report, eight thematic reports, and three country level reports.
Skills and Employment
- Experience required for Industry 4.0 Source: Creamer Media Engineering News With the rise of Industry 4.0 and a subsequent increase in the regulation of engineers and technologists, more experience is required from professionals operating in relevant fields, says Society for Automation, Instrumentation, Mechatronics and Control (SAIMC) CEO Johan Maartens.
- Mpumalanga women get just energy transition boost Source: IT Web A new initiative has been established in Mpumalanga province to boost women’s participation in South Africa’s Just Energy Transition (JET) programme. The electrical engineering Renewable Energy Specialisation Skills Development Programme was launched this week in Standerton.
- How to work as a consultant in the ICT sector Source: IT Web With revenue in the IT consulting and implementation segment projected to top $65 billion by the end of this year, it has become an increasingly important component of the technology environment. Organisations are looking to unlock the value of their digital investments with consultants providing an important enabling mechanism in this regard. Locally, consultants must turn the focus on how they can provide value to their companies. Being a better consultant can result in increased business opportunities and job satisfaction. Here are several tips on how to become a better consultant in the South African market.
Teaching and Learning- Local and Global
- Making Authentic Connections in Online Courses Source: Loyola University Maryland The Office of Digital Teaching and Learning (ODTL) has a Faculty Spotlight Video Series in which Dr. Patrick Dempsey, Director of ODTL talks to faculty about solutions to digital teaching problems. In this video, Dr. Kelly Keane, Assistant Teaching Professor and Director of the Educational Technology Program talks about four strategies for making authentic connections with students in online courses.
Technology Enhanced Learning
- ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence in higher education: Quick start guide Source: Unesco The Quick Start Guide provides an overview of how ChatGPT works and explains how it can be used in higher education. The Quick Start Guide raises some of the main challenges and ethical implications of AI in higher education and offers practical steps that higher education institutions can take.
- Introducing DOMS™️ EDUCATE Source: Dr. Phillipa Hardman In this week's blog post, Dr. Hardman introduces DOMS™️ EDUCATE, a new framework which she hopes will make experimentation and the transition to the post-AI classroom easier.
- Loop Source: Microsoft Microsoft Loop is the next-generation cocreation experience that brings together teams, content, and tasks across your apps and devices.
- Freeed Freeed is a technological platform with the potential to create a sustainable network of teachers. Freeed applies the best of teacher knowledge, resources and creation to cutting-edge technologies in a networked world. Today’s social media and web-based communities provide unprecedented opportunities for teachers to find resources, collaborate, engage in creative production, publish and mobilize online. Freeed offers all that in one platform.
- iBlocks Project Based Learning Spark inspiration with iBlocks – experiential PBL activities that engage students in critical thinking, teamwork, and fun!
- ASU+GSV Summit: Has education tech really changed anything? Source: New Hampshire Union Leader As universities and schools continue leveraging billions in federal COVID-19 relief funds to adopt technology for online and hybrid learning, some ed-tech leaders and educators say the current challenge is figuring out how to use those new tech tools to reimagine education, as well as to improve student academic performance.
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