1. The Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Awareness Week Exhibition 2005 is a joint initiative of the Geographical Information Systems Society of South Africa (GISSA) in the Western Cape and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).
2. The GIS Awareness Week Exhibition 2005 will take place from 10 to 12 May 2005, and will highlight the utilisation of technology in the Geography classroom, and profile training and development resources and services in the Western Cape.
3. Now in its second year, the GIS Awareness Week Exhibition 2005 promises to be bigger and more innovative. It will offer several exciting themes and opportunities for addressing the current challenges and developments in the Geography classroom.
4.

Full programme details can be found on the

    WCED Curriculum (http://curriculum.wcape.school.za)
    and the
    Geography (FET) (http://curriculum.wcape.school.za/site/39/page/view/)

websites.

Posters will be distributed to schools providing details of all the events. In addition, the media will be publishing articles and advertisements pertaining to the GIS Awareness Week.
5. The GIS Awareness Week Exhibition 2005 is a first of its kind in the province and will coincide with the launch of the new FET NCS Geography Curriculum.
6. The exhibition will be held at Bloemhof Centre in Bloemhof Road, Bellville, and will include a general awareness programme of seminars and other activities. While the sessions during the awareness week will be of great interest to educators in particular, schools are also encouraged to invite parents and learners to attend so that they can be in a better position to make study and career choices.
6.1 Exhibitors will provide access to information on all aspects of GIS teaching and learning, training and development, showcasing the latest courses, courseware, educational software, learning and teaching support material, techniques and methodologies.
6.2 The participation of educators, trainers, skills development practitioners and facilitators in the programme will ensure their exposure to national and international trends for educators and learners from all sectors and levels of learning. The programme will also provide a strategic platform for networking, partnerships and current debate.
6.3 The GIS Awareness Week programme will focus on exposing and exploring Geography education and training opportunities. Schools that are considering making changes to their selection of subject offerings will also benefit from a visit to the Centre, as they will be exposed to a full range of learning options.
6.4 On Tuesday, 10 May 2005, the MEC for Education, Cameron Dugmore, and Mr Ron Swartz, Superintendent-General of Education, will be at the Centre between 18:00 and 20:00 in order to meet and converse informally with educators.
6.5 The Wednesday and Thursday programme has been designed especially to accommodate teachers, Grade 10, 11 and 12 learners and parents, including those from rural areas. Transport has been arranged to enable learners in the Metropole nodal areas to attend.
7. All WCED institutions are encouraged to support the GIS Awareness Week Exhibition.


SIGNED: J.P. RAULT-SMITH
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2005:04:19