Are your learners ready for the Programming Olympiad?
If you haven’t already done so, please enter your IT learners with a flair for programming in the Programming Olympiad, taking place between 29 July and 2 August 2019. It is designed to challenge learners who can use a programming language like Scratch, Python, Java, C++ or Delphi. Whilst individual learners can enter, entire classes are encouraged to take part.
How does the Programming Olympiad work?
In the first round of the challenge, participants have to solve a number of problems usin...Read more
In the first term of 2018, teachers from New Nation School in Vrededorp, Gauteng, enjoyed five afternoon workshop sessions on using a range of digital tools in the classroom. These workshops were sponsored by Microsoft Philanthropies in order to help staff to use technology as a catalyst for change at a school that largely provides education to orphans and vulnerable children.
Below is a summary of what was covered at the workshops with links to some of the resources that other teachers may w...
Computational thinking is a set of problem-solving methods that involve expressing problems and their solutions in ways that a computer could execute. The ability to break down a problem, recognize patterns, think in abstract ways, and create algorithms to find solutions are valuable thinking skills for computer science, information technology, mathematics and science learners.
At a number of 2018 YouthSpark workshops, we challenged teachers to complete some of the Computer Olympiad Computational Think...
The International Olympiad for Informatics (IOI) is an international coding competition for high school learners that takes place in a different country every year. This year, a record 335 participants from 87 countries travelled to Japan to put their programming skills to the test.
The South African team consisted of Tian Cilliers (Stellenbosch High School), Ralph McDougall (Curro Durbanville) Taariq Mowzer (Fairbairn College) and Emile Tredoux (Parklands College). They earned their spots at the 30th ...
SchoolNet SA has been running a programme of professional development courses aimed at upskilling KwaZulu-Natal Subject Advisors to support teachers to make better use of digital tools as teaching and learning resources. To date, the GET subject advisors group have completed the ICT Skills for Teachers and using Digital Resources in the Classroom courses. In this blogpost we describe the first group of Subject Advisors Tablets in the Classroom course which took place in Bergville between 17 and 21 Septem...
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has provided 165 focus schools with technology devices for learners. Having seen how successful YouthSpark training can be to introduce teachers to basic computer science resources that can use with learners, SchoolNet SA was asked to run workshops with champion teachers selected from eighty of these schools. It was hoped that having access to some free resources aimed at youth, a portal of online training resources aimed at teachers, as well as the skills and c...
SchoolNet SA has been working with teachers from twelve
schools in KwaNdengezi that are supported by the Rotary Club of Pinetown to
make more effective use of digital resources to enhance their teaching. As part
of a Microsoft Philanthropies YouthSpark project, twenty four of these teachers
spent two days of their June holidays learning at Hillcrest High School in
KwaZulu-Natal learning some basic computer science skills that they can share
with their learners when school reopens. SchoolNet SA ...
Here is a message from Michael Cameron, the South African manager of the Computer Olympiad.
“There is still time to let us know how many of your computer literate learners will write the 2017 Applications Olympiad.
Entry is free – no need to collect money. Learners can write online (no marking for you). For offline they fill in one-word answers to 25 questions, so marking is fast and you can give immediate feedback. Participants quickly see that there is always more to learn about word ...
2017 Computer Applications Olympiad sees the introduction of a Second Round. The Olympiad is for CAT learners, ICDL candidates and others who are computer literate.
What is the Applications Olympiad?
Being able to use computer applications is fast becoming essential for study and work. Applications help learners to make sense of data and to strengthen insight. The Computer Applications Olympiad encourages learners to see the bigger picture where: Data à Information à Knowledge à Ins...
The Programming Olympiad is around the corner and your learners will be able to test their programming skills in any language that your school allows. The aim of the Olympiad is to identify, encourage and reward computer aptitude, promote and encourage computer studies and create an awareness of career opportunities in ICT.
When is it?
The First Round of the Programming Olympiad will be open for participation from Monday 1 to Friday 5 August. Participants can take part for an hour at any time durin...
