WCED Circular

As part of the lead-in to the introduction of the National Curriculum Statements in Grade 10 in 2006 the Western Cape Education Department has prepared a powerful Multi-Media Orientation Kit. It is the intention of the system that there should be staged adaptations to teaching and assessment - including the way in which questions are asked and assessed in external Senior Certificate papers - so that the move to an OBE approach is a gradual and managed one.

There are limitations to training options imposed by time, cost and travel restrictions. In addition, not everybody has the same knowledge gaps, interests or learning styles. The WCED has thus developed the Multi-Media Orientation Kit to facilitate "learner-paced, learner-based" self-study. The Kit will orientate teachers to managing the new curriculum in the FET Band. Researchers will monitor the efficacy of this distance training.

The Kit consists of a CD-ROM, 2 videos, a manual and one master stiffy. This blended learning model will allow schools and individuals to manage a detailed study of OBE, the methodology and planning in such a way that it matches their needs and time constraints.

3.1

Teachers will be able to work through the CD-ROM on their own. The material has been written for the WCED by a number of experts in their fields and includes 300 pages of text and over 30 video clips filmed in the Western Cape.

3.2

The videos will form the core of two staff meetings, arranged at 8 week intervals i.e. one 8 weeks after the initiation of the process and a second one 8 weeks later. The interval in between is to give teachers time to explore the CD-ROM at their leisure.

The modules on the CD-ROM are

4.1

"Learning under Review", which examines teaching and learning styles and brain function and includes quizzes for users to determine their own styles;

4.2

"What makes OBE tick?", which has an overview of education systems in other parts of the world, looks at parental and learner aspirations and interviews teachers about the use of Critical Outcomes in their teaching; and

4.3

"OBE in Action", which contains sections on management of differentiation, assessment, planning and the role and selection of Learning Support Material.

The model is an interactive one in which users are encouraged to keep an electronic journal of their responses. This journal forms a portfolio and is the basis for the awarding of a certificate. Users are encouraged to explore facets according to their interests and needs, and to tackle a number of thorny issues head-on.

The CD-ROM can be loaded onto as many computers as may be required. However, each teacher will need one stiffy disk on which to save journal entries if he/she is moving between computers for the period of study.

Kits will be distributed by the EMDCs which will be organising orientation and distribution sessions early in the new year. Kits will be supplied to all state schools. Independent schools may purchase kits through Edumedia. See http://edumedia.wcape.school.za/catalog for details.

The EMDCs are making plans to ensure that schools that do not have adequate computer facilities are supported in the roll-out of this exciting innovation. Access to facilities with computers will be arranged and training and technical support will also be provided for novice users.

SIGNED: J.P. RAULT-SMITH
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2003:11:21