Math subject advisors of the Free State gathered in Kroonstad from 24 to 26 March 2015, to jointly learn how they could implement the knowledge and skills already acquired from the previous workshops. They employ the acquired skills in organizing districts based math events with support from VVOB. The workshop was facilitated by VVOB, FSDOE, and SACE.
During the first session, participants discussed how to plan effective CPD, from needs identification to implementation and monitoring. Successful CPD strategies need to cater for the following learning steps: 1. Development of awareness, 2. Building knowledge and understanding, 3. Translate knowledge into practice, 4. Practicing new knowledge, and 5. Creating opportunities to reflect.
In November 2014 Lejweleputswa district organized a math summit for primary teachers. Dr Fourie and her team of Subject Advisors shared their experiences and lessons learned. The output of that summit was a draft manual on fractions and decimal fractions. Hannelore Vandepitte, intern with VVOB, shared with the audience how math summit notes can be adjusted to useful manuals for follow up training with teachers after such a summit. She emphasized the importance of good understanding of the CAPS document and the various learning lines. She showed how the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract principle as well as learner centered activities could be added.
The main objective of the workshop was to get Subject Advisors started in planning districts based math events. Mrs. Seutloali briefly explained the math interventions by the Free State Department of Education for 2015. One of those interventions is a math event in each district. These math events can take various forms and have different priorities, depending on the needs and wishes of each district. Participants then started planning their own district math events. Before they started with this, VVOB shared the conditions for support. All districts presented their plans and got, via the Q&A session, useful suggestions for further improvement.
During the workshop participants were exposed to techniques to enrich math learning, such as the use of ICT, math labs and lesson study. ICT tools that could be used for content repositories and lesson plans, such as Google Drive, Khan Academy, Mindset and specific Mathematics applications were demonstrated. Mr. Pienaar also showed how ICT –such as TeachMeet and Google Educator Groups (GEG) - could be used to support PLCs.
Mrs. Seroto, provincial CPTD coordinator for SACE informed participants about the SACE CPTD management system. Subject advisors will need to support and monitor the implementation of the system on teacher level. The system also applies to the trainings they will conduct: will teachers earn professional development points?
Finally the participants were given the final instructions and materials for the Impact research to be carried out by all participants in the coming weeks.
In the vote of thanks Mrs Seutloali acknowledged that participants are indeed moving from learning to doing. It is with excitement that we look forward to the district math events!
Pictures can be found here.
