Curriculum Development

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Director: How to eat an elephant

Assessment: generic

Arts and Culture: vision

Biology: matric papers

English: CASS

Inclusion: mathematics

Inclusion: stereotypes

Revised Curriculum Statements

General: vision

Closed discussions

EMDC1

EMDC2

Curriculum planners from the Western Cape Education Department recently met to take feedback from their colleagues who had returned from the National Education Department where they had discussed how to go about implementing the Revised National Curriculum Statement in the provinces. [Collage by Gerrie Barnard from a series of photographs taken by Hendrik Mentz]

We welcome you

Welcome to the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) Curriculum Development on-line community. We need your perspectives, intelligence and creativity to ensure vibrant discussions, which are of value to all the stakeholders in the education system: learners, parents, educators, support staff, curriculum advisors and planners, provincial and national departments of education and members of the general public.

Sub Site Forums:

General discussions [Multi-grade Rural schools]
Anything related with Multigrade Rural Schools

General discussions [Inclusive Education]
Anything related to Inclusive Education Members are invited to give some practical hints, suggestions and strategies for teachers who would like to address literacy barriers in mainstream classes.

Curriculum Developers [WCED ADMIN]
Disscusions related to and by curriculum developers.

WCED eCurriculum strategy [WCED ADMIN]
I have compiled and submitted an eCurriculum discussion document to you for discussion. You are encouraged to use this discussion forum to share comment, suggestions and so on. A copy of the document can also be downloaded at ~~. Jenny Rault-Smith, Director: Curriculum Development

Testing Forum Functionality [NCS Roll-out]
What can we do with forums in Sitenet?

Costs of Development vs costs of Integration [NCS Roll-out]
Discussing the costs of developing the forum functionality within Sitenet compared with the costs of integrating w-agora with Sitenet

Turning and turning... [FET: English]
Thoughts about the centre of things

Project database [eCurriculum]
Issues and inputs regarding the project database.

Training session 01 [eCurriculum]
This is a closed discussion restricted to participants of the face-to-face training at Grand Central

Arts & Culture Field CASS Components [FET: Dance]
What should be included and how should it be weighted? Are practical and theory exams two differrent components? Should components have a time frame? Should CASS marks be added to June report results? Should all the Arts subjects conform to the same requirements? Lets have your views. From Jenny van Papendorp

Afrikaans webblad [FET: Afrikaans]
Ons raak al hoe meer daarvan bewus dat e-leer met ons is om te bly. Kom ons gebruik hierdie ruimte om oor ons webtuiste vir Afrikaans te besin en daarvan ‘n wenner te maak.Dink aan die volgende: inligting, gebeurtenisse, strategieë om onderrig en leer te verbeter.

common examinations [FET: Mathematics]
how do we deal with this issue

MST PROJECTS [FET: Projects]
Forum Welcome to the MST Forum. The topic for discussion is: How can MST Projects be made more sustainable? Any ideas?

How to sustain the KCL-PENTECH-WCED project [GET: Natural Sciences]
How do we sustain the "Teaching Science to Large Classes"-project? Any ideas will be appreciated.

IPEC research [School Improvement]
Research into issues relating to statistical moderation of marks

Impak van die fisiese toestand van ons plaasskool-leerders op leer [Multi-grade Rural schools]
Terwyl ons in die Multigraad Intervensie klaskamer organisasie, kurrikulum en tegnologie aanspreek, sit daar leerders in ons klas wie nie behoorlik op die skryfbord kan sien nie, en van hulle wie nie rêrig kan hoor nie, as gevolg van fisiese gebrekke. Hoe groot is die impak wat bogenoemde het op ons kinders se leer? En wat doen ons daaromtrent ?

Professionele liggaam vir multigraad-onderwys [Multi-grade Rural schools]
Het die tyd nou aangebreek dat ons 'n professionele liggaam moet stig om na ons multigraad-leerders se belange beter om te sien?

Intended video editing training [Multi-grade Rural schools]
Do we need this kind of training to deliver on our outcome of developing relevant and functional resources to our multigrade teachers? Is Adobe Premier the most suitable software package for us? Suggest any other package? Will you be able to assist us in developing these resources and/or assist us in empowering teachers to develope these resources?

e-Communication Programme [Multi-grade Rural schools]
One of the biggest challenges in the MGI (Multigrade Intervention) is to kick start a programme of electronic communication between the relevant parties (teachers, teacher co-ordinators, the Multifunctional Teams, Project Office and web site manager ) and sustain that communication so that it becomes the norm by which there are daily/regular contact between the parties. We have formulated an e-Communication programme that would attempt to address this challenge. This e-Communication programme is only in its draft form and begs for your comment. The programme can be found under Support and Sustainability. Follow the links from there. Feel free to criticise the content and activities that are part of the programme. At the same time, provide your suggested activity so that we can come up with a structured way to sustain electronic communication. Lewer jou bydrae in enige taal. Sien uit na julle kommentaar!!!

HRD Test... [001 Test - don]
Test forum for HRD Training...

Forum for ECD / Foundation Phase Curriculum Advisors [GET: Foundation Phase and ECD]
Closed forum for ECD / Foundation Phase Curriculum Advisors

Home Economics forum [FET: Home Economics]
Shall we change our name? Is the name of our subject area outdated?

What have you been teaching this week? [FET: History]
This discussion has been set up to provide a space for you to share your general experiences of teaching within the Facing the Past project. We would specifically like you to use this space to give us some feedback on any of the resources, methodologies or lesson plans that we have developed and are available on this website and in the workshops. So how has the teaching been going?

Comment on the prescriptions for 2005 [FET: English]
The provisional lists of prescribed books for 2005 have been sent to schools. We have been asked to comment by no later than 14:00 on 27 February 2004. My suggestion is that we also use this online forum to share any thoughts we might have on any of the English prescriptions. I then undertake to feed these through to Teboho Magwaca. To logon navigate to the site click on the ‘forum’ link and then select the topic: ‘Prescriptions for 2005: What do you think?’ Register as a participant and once you have received your login name and password login and post your comment either by opening a new thread (in which case you click on ‘new thread’) or by responding to what someone else has said (in which case you add your comment to the bottom of the window that contains the comment). If you have any problems or if you prefer to be walked through the process just give me a call at 021 467 2579 or psatyo@pawc.gov.za

WCED Dance Policy update [FET: Dance]
With the restructuring of the WCED, it has become necessary to review the WCED Interim Dance Policy of 2000 and adapt it to the changing needs. It has been suggested that the dance posts be managed from the EMDC's rather than from Head Office. What are your views on this idea? What may be the strengths and weaknesses of this change? What other changes would you like to see?

Shape and Space alpha testing [eCurriculum]
Closed forum to evaluated the Shape and Space module

The FET School of the future [FET (Schools)]
How will students engaging in the FET Curriculum learn best? What schools should we be building to facilitate this learning? Read the accompanying report (What schools should we be building in the Western Cape Province) that appears on the home page. Share some of your own ideas. To participate you need first to register by going to the ‘register’ link in the right hand panel, complete the form and enter. Once registered, click on the topic above, login and share your thoughts. If you experience problems send an email to curriculum@pgwc.gov.za requesting assistance.

Critical Thinking Group [FET: Biology]
This is a closed forum in order to help us to share ideas and to develop strategies about the project.

ECD/FP: Quo vadis? [GET: Foundation Phase and ECD]
Greetings. We have met face to face. Please now use this closed forum to continue our discussions

Gearing up for Electrical Technology [FET: Engineering: Electrical]
The NCS for Electrical Technology has now been gazetted for public comment, Gazette 26788 Vol. 471 dated 15 September 2004. The draft LPG for Electrical Technology is in an advance stage and we have now reached the stage where we must have a discussion on the space and equipment required to offer Electrical Technology in our FET Schools. Please post your inputs on this topic to the online forum discussion, so that we can arrive at a comprehensive picture that will help schools to introduce the wonderful subject into their curriculum.

Learning Programme exemplars - what do you think? [GET: Foundation Phase and ECD]
Post your comments, suggestions, etc about the current (Sep 2004)WCED exemplar Learning Programmes to this forum. To participate you need first to register by going to the ‘register’ link in the right hand panel, complete the form and enter. Once registered, click on the topic above, login and share your thoughts. If you experience problems send an email to curriculum@pgwc.gov.za requesting assistance.

2004 Cape Teaching Institute courses for teachers - will they make a difference? [GET: Foundation Phase and ECD]
The 2004 run of Foundation Phase RNCS courses for Literacy, Numeracy and Life Skills Learning Programmes at the Cape Teaching Institute concludes with the end of the current courses. Have these courses been worthwhile? Have participants gained from them? Will teachers implement what they have learnt when they get back to their schools? HAVE YOUR SAY! To participate in this forum you need first to register by going to the ‘register’ link in the right hand panel, complete the form and enter. Once registered, click on the topic above, login and share your thoughts. If you experience problems please send an email to curriculum@pgwc.gov.za requesting assistance.

Exploring ideas for a curriculum for very young learners... [GET: Foundation Phase and ECD]
Would the Revised National Curriculum Statement be an appropriate curriculum framework for young children from 2 years to Grade R ? HAVE YOUR SAY!- To participate in this forum you need first to register by going to the ‘register’ link in the right hand panel, complete the form and enter. Once registered, click on the topic above, login and share your thoughts. If you experience problems please send an email to curriculum@pgwc.gov.za requesting assistance.

Learning Programmes, Work Schedules and Lesson Plans: what do you think? [NCS Roll-out]
“I hear colleagues saying that the Learning Programme and the Work Schedule are one and the same thing and that teachers need only do one or the other, but that to do both is a complete waste of time. I am of the opinion that this stems from a lack of understanding of the difference between a Learning Programme and a Work Schedule and a Lesson Plan” - Jenny Rault-Smith, director: Directorate, Curriculum Management. What do you think? To participate you need first to register by going to the ‘register’ link in the right hand panel, complete the form and enter. Once registered log into the site, click on the ‘forum’ link, click on the topic and post your message. If you experience problems send an email to curriculum@pgwc.gov.za requesting assistance.

A useful resource [FET: History]
Tell us about a great resource that you used which worked well with your learners. How did it contribute to your teaching for human rights and democracy? How can we get hold of the resource?

A great methodology [FET: History]
If you have developed or used a great teaching methodology share it with the rest of us.

A challenge that I'm facing [FET: History]
Teaching difficult issues and working towards developing learners into tolerant, active citizens is not without its challenges. This space is for you to share some of these challenges with other teachers who might be able to offer some advice on the way forward.

An experience I'd like to share [FET: History]
If you've just had one of those lessons or an experience in which you know that you impacted on the learners in a way that is moving them closer to becoming active and tolerant citizens, take a few minutes and share it with the rest of us.

The WCED Curriculum Website: Let’s talk [eCurriculum]
Thank you for deciding to attend the ‘WCED Curriculum website: Let’s talk’ session that forms part of the Developing Digital Learning Communities Conference on 12 March 2004 at Crestway Secondary in EMDC South. Please introduce yourself before we meet and share any prior thoughts you might have.

The Use of the HRD Website [Internal Human Capital Development]
The HRD Website is not being utilised to its fullest. Please give your comments.

Test [FET: English]
Test

Teacher assistants [Inclusive Education]
Teacher assistants in mainstream classes could assist the class teacher to improve the literacy and numeracy levels. Suggest different ways in which the teacher assistants could assist the class teacher.

Testing [001 Test - don]
Testing

test_02 [GET: Foundation Phase and ECD]
This is to check forum functionality for Gill

Breeze pilot [eCurriculum]
You kindly participated to a greater or lesser extent to the Breeze pilot. The directors Curriculum and Information and Technological Services request feedback on their report. Please note that this is a closed discussion that ends on Friday 17 November 2006.

Grade 12 Biology Examinations [FET: Biology]
The forum provides Biology educators, as members of the WCED Biology Website, an opportunity to use this medium to make inputs into the National Memoranda Discussions. Please note that this is not the place for submitting complaints on the question papers. Official complaints must be submitted via the Principal to the Department, as set out in Examination Minute. Enjoy your own online forum. We all look forward to your participation in this important discussion. The purpose is to include all possible correct answers in the memoranda making the memoranda valid, reliable and fair and therefore improve the quality of marking. The National Memoranda meetings are responsible for finalizing closed national memoranda for Biology. Members of the forum and/or cluster meetings are requested to post all possible answers onto the forum for discussion.

National Senior Certificate 2008 [Assessment (Sen Cert)]
The countdown has begun. Exemplars and memos sent to schools, Examination guidelines developed and great expectations of the first examination at Grade 12 level under the NCS abound.

Making education better [eCurriculum]
We invite you to share your thoughts on some of the challenges facing education and/or suggested solutions. To become part of the discussion please first register, then logon with your password and plunge into the debate. Hopefully your contribution will play a significant role in shaping our country’s future. Problems? mail: hmentz@pgwc.gov.za or ring: 021 467 2628

Performance [FET: Music]
The present format of the practical examination does not suit all our learners. It is too intimidating and should be geared towards more ensemble/group playing.

eLearning Web Managers [eLearning]
Introductions and a quick survey

Advice for Participation

	When you log in for the first time change your password to one that is both unique to you and easy for you to remember.
	Keep a record of it somewhere in case you forget your new password.
	Come to the Welcome forum to introduce yourself and see who else is already in the discussions.
	Use the Flat View to open all messages in a topic at once.
	Use the subject line to signal the theme of your message.
	You are encouraged to post in whichever of the official languages of the Western Cape are most comfortable for you.
	You are encouraged to share your questions and your thinking when you think you can contribute to the discussion (or just need help :) )
	Feel free to read other people's messages until you are ready to post beyond the Welcome forum.
	If there are a lot of postings already on the site simply focus on a few topics in forums that interest you.
	The maximum attachment size for uploads to the forums is 128 Kb. Please use attachments only when they are needed. If you download files attached to discussion messages to your computer please run a virus checker before opening the file(s).
	You have edit rights over your own messages but it is respectful to others to indicate within the message that it has been edited.
	You can choose to 'subscribe' to a forum or to 'monitor' a topic to receive new messages by e-mail. You will then be able to reply by e-mail and your message will appear in the WCED discussion website. For people who have regular access to the Internet, all the new messages sent to you by e-mail will include a quick link back into the discussions. Please note that you will not receive attachments posted on the site or be able to send attachments with your replies by e-mail
	As the discussions become busy you may consider filtering these messages to a specific folder within your e-mail.

Terms and Conditions

	Agreement to treat other participants with respect.
	Agreement to post as yourself and not to use anyone else's identity.
	Agreement to not report or quote postings from these forums in any publication unless the participant(s) concerned have agreed to this.
	Agreement to refrain from postings which are racist, sexist or support discrimination on grounds of language, religion, disability or sexual orientation.
	Agreement to refrain from posting illegal or pornographic material to this site.
	Agreement to ensure that any attachments which you upload with messages do not include viruses.
	Agreement that the facilitators of the discussion can remove or edit postings which are objectionable on any of the above grounds
	Agreement that the site should not be used to market commercial products or services.
	Agreement that the facilitators of the discussion can exclude participants who persistently break the terms and conditions for participation in the online discussions
	These terms and conditions will be open for discussion among registered members of the discussion site.
	These terms and conditions may be changed without notice at the discretion of the WCED Curriculum Development Web Manager
Privacy Policy
	When you post to the on-line discussions other participants will be able to reply to you at your e-mail address. If you have privacy concerns in the short term you may consider using a different e-mail address for your participation in these discussions or e-mailing the appropriate forum moderator and asking them to post your message for you. Note that we are currently investigating software modifications that will address this concern.
	Other than the e-mail addresses of those who post in the discussions the WCED will not directly or indirectly disclose personal data resulting from the registration process.
	The WCED has taken reasonable precautions to ensue that the discussion site is secure but you should also take care to keep your password to yourself and only to post information and thinking that you wish to share with other members of the discussions.