SchoolNet’s Hlengiwe Mfeka recently ran a workshop on Using in Digital Resources in the Classroom with teachers from twelve KwaNdgenezi schools, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pinetown.

Following the workshop, Hlengiwe visited each of the schools involved to observe lessons and to provide some additional support to teachers. Described below are some of the lessons that Hlengiwe observed. These lessons are good examples of how digital tools and content can be incorporated into lessons, even where there are not many resources available.

Mr. Sithembiso Mbokazi used a popular movie staring Jackie Chan as part of an IsiZulu lesson. Whilst the movie was in English, he used the film as a way to reinforce the different elements of a story such as plot, character, theme and setting. Once the learners understood the process of creating a story they were tasked with creating their own stories that incorporated elements of storytelling they had discussed in relation to the film.

At Asiphephe Primary School Nosipho Bhengu introduced a life orientation lesson with a video on goal setting. After watching the video, which introduced the concept of SMART goals, the learners collaborated to list their own goals. Not only will they remember all about goal setting from this lesson, they are also sure to use technology to access more resources to support lessons in their other subjects.

At Wozamoyo High School the teachers set a task for an English lesson that involved learners doing a role play and peers taking a video. This video was then later edited so that it can be shown to others to raise awareness of appropriate cell phone use. The teachers at this school, Olga and Nana were not afraid to think out of the box to set a task that made use of the digital tools available.

At Ziphathele High School, Geography teacher Sbonga was making good use of the resources on the hard drive provided by the Rotary Club of Pinetown to support his Geography lesson. For a subject like Geography, concepts are easier to understand and recall if one is able to see the place, land-form or climatological phenomenon being described. Digital resources allow learners to explore a range of places virtually that they may not get to experience in real life.

We hope that the KwaNdgenezi teachers will continue to use the digital resources that they have been provided with, along as the skills they have acquired for integrating them into the classroom. With practice and experience it will become easier to integrate digital resources and to develop a wider range of engaging lessons.