Welcome and Introduction
Digital technologies are in schools now and support is needed from district officials on how best to use them for educational benefit. This online course and manual is meant to provide district based ICT committees with guidelines on how best to promote, support and monitor ICT in educational activities in schools. Programmes have been designed and some are underway to capacitate these officials on identifying and developing or applying well informed interventions.
Overview
In 2014 the Gauteng province embarked on a project to introduce technology in the classroom. In the 21st century it is expected that South African teachers begin to enhance and extend their existing classroom practices by making use of ICTs. This will enable them to make teaching more vibrant and learning more interesting. It will also enable learners to compete in the international arena because modern societies expect them to be able to think critically, solve problems and be creative.
In order to achieve the goals and objectives of the ICT project, it is important that all stakeholders must not only participate but also make a meaningful contribution to the successful implementation of this project. A critical stakeholder for the successful implementation and institutionalisation of the ICT project is the district. To facilitate the participation of the districts in the project a new structure was suggested known as the district based ICT committee. This structure is found in every district and meets together on a regular basis – at least once a week to discuss and resolve on ICT in education activities in their schools.