 What is the Educators' Network (EDN)?
The Educators' Network is an educator ICT development programme that guides online communities of educators to learn with and from each other. It is open to all educators in and beyond the boundaries of South Africa. It consists of:
- Introductory training
- Teachers that are introduced to the Educators' Network for the first time receive two days of training (optional) that introduces them to the learning approach and tools required.
- Materials
- Public domain CD-based experiential learning materials, arranged in modules.
- Currently there are 20 modules.
- Materials are context-free, but the educators participating are directed to provide their own rich classroom contexts to all activities.
- Online communities of educators
- Educators who participate in the modules are grouped into virtual communities of up to 20.
- Individuals in each group are linked to each other by e-mail.
- Mentor support for groups and individuals
- SchoolNet SA's specially trained mentors facilitate the learning in these groups online, using mostly e-mail.
- Mentors support the educators and encourage them to grow and improve their skills as they integrate ICT with teaching and learning.
- Mentors are facilitated by a mentor coordinator, who ensures the quality of mentoring at all times.
- Tracking and archiving
- SchoolNet SA's EDN database manages and tracks all interaction.
- All group and mentor communication is tracked and archived.
- Educators develop and share a portfolio of work, which is also archived.
- A Portal for resources
- A web portal is being developed to host the resources relating to and created in the activities of the EDN. This will be an interactive first stop for educators seeking resources and contacts while integrating ICT with teaching and learning.
|
