1. The Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Awareness Week Exhibition for 2009 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 2009 Exhibition will take place on 20 21, 23 and 24 April 2009, and will highlight the use of technology in the Geography classroom, and profile training and development resources and services in the Western Cape.
3. Now in its fifth year, the 2009 Exhibition promises to be even bigger and more innovative than before. 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.pgwc.gov.za/ ) and Geography (FET) websites ( http://curriculum.pgwc.gov.za/site/39/page/view/ ). Posters will be distributed to schools, providing details of all the events. In addition, the media will be publishing articles and advertisements pertaining to GIS Awareness Week.
5. The 2009 Exhibition will coincide with a mini conference on topics relating to the new FET NCS Geography syllabus.
6. The exhibition will be held at the University of the Western Cape campus in Modderdam Road, Bellville, and will include a programme of seminars and other activities. While the sessions during the awareness week will be of great interest to learners in particular, schools are requested to encourage teachers to attend so that they can be in a better position to enhance teaching methodologies and provide useful information to learners on career choices.
6.1 Exhibitors will provide access to information on all aspects of GIS teaching, learning, training and development, exhibiting the latest courses, courseware, educational software, learning and teaching support material, techniques and methodologies.
6.2 Participation in the programme by teachers, trainers, skills development practitioners and facilitators will ensure their exposure to national and international trends in various sectors and at all levels of learning. The programme will also provide a platform for networking, partnerships and current debate.
6.3 The GIS Awareness Week programme will focus on Geography teaching and training. Thus, schools that are considering making changes to their curriculum will benefit from a visit to the exhibition, as they will be exposed to a full range of learning options.
7. The Friday programme has been specially designed to benefit Geography teachers of Grades 9 to 12, including those from rural areas. Practitioners from different sectors will deliver papers on GIS topics from 14:00 until 16:00 on 24 April 2009. If you wish to attend, please contact Devona Naude at tel no 021 807 4657 or e-mail address Devona.Naude@drakenstein.gov.za by no later than 31 March 2009, and provide her with attendance numbers so that seating and catering can be arranged.
8. All WCED schools are encouraged to support the 2009 GIS Awareness Week Exhibition. However, schools will have to arrange their own transport to enable learners to attend.


SIGNED: SM NAICKER
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2009:03:16