[General] GCSN Newsletter – 24 May 2013

From the inbox earlier…

GCSN Newsletter – 24 May 2013

GCSN is arranging the following events through term two.  Sign up on our events calendar

A Microsoft Office 365 Workshop

This workshop is a continuation of the sessions held towards the end of 2012.  The workshop is scheduled for 28 May between 3:30 and 5pm at the CDC premises at 99 Cashel St in the Re:Start Mall opposite the Hummingbird Coffee lounge.

An exciting BYOD session on 10 June at the Russley Golf Club on Memorial Avenue.

We are delighted to have Russell Burt from Point England School in Auckland and Mark Osborne – ex Albany Senior High School and now with CORE  as high profile speakers for this session.  This event is proving to be very popular.  Make sure you register for:

• the secondary school session from 9am to 11am
• the primary school session from 1:30 to 3:00.
• the technical session from 3:30pm to 5pm

A primary champions meeting at Thorrington School on Wednesday 5 June at 3:30

The e-Learning Planning Framework will be an important part of the session along with brief presentations from a few primary schools about their IT journey.  Contact  margot.mckeegan@gcsn.school.nz. for further details.

The Skills Organisation launch in Christchurch  

Russley Golf Course –   at 12:15 on Friday 7 June.

This event is  for careers teachers and other staff with an interest in employment opportunities for students.  Christchurch business leaders, Peter Townsend and Tom Holland,  will be attending this session as well.  Contact carol.moffatt@gcsn.school.nz for further details.

A further Kevin Honeycutt session   

Friday 7 June at 8:30am at Linwood College.

If you missed the inspirational sessions in term one, here is your chance to experience this motivational speaker.  Check out his website  http://kevinhoneycutt.org/

Keep an eye on our events calendar for further details of forthcoming sessions looking at wireless solutions for your school.  .

$136 million investment fast tracks school network upgrades – Wireless to be included in SNUP Programme

Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye today announced the Government will invest $136 million over the next four years to complete the School Network Upgrade Project (SNUP) by 2016 – two years ahead of schedule.  Wireless capacity will be included in the school network upgrade process starting in June of this year.

[General] GCSN Newsletter – 9 May 2013

For my Kiwi readers…

GCSN Newsletter – 9 May 2013

The Ministry of Education, in the interim, has indicated that its current contract with the Greater Christchurch Schools Network will conclude at the end of June.  We are investigating a number alternative modes of operation to enable us to continue supporting schools as far as possible in the greater Christchurch area.  We will keep you updated.

 GCSN is arranging the following events through term two.  

A BYOD session on 10 June.   We are delighted to have Russell Burt from Point England School in Auckland and Mark Osborne – ex Albany Senior High School and now with CORE  as high profile speakers for this session.  Details on the venue and times will follow

• A secondary champions training session on the e-Learning Planning Framework at 3pm on Thursday 16 May at the South Learning Centre.  Others welcome.  Contact margot.mckeegan@gcsn.school.nz
• The Skills Organisation launch in Christchurch for careers teacher and other staff with an interest in employment opportunities for students to be held at the The Pavilions Hotel in Papanui Road later this term.   Other Christchurch business leaders will be attending this session as well.  .
• A primary school champions meeting on Wednesday 5 June.  Venue to be announced
• After successful teacher and student sessions with Kevin Honeycutt during term one, further sessions will be held on Friday 7 June
• There will be to sessions looking at wireless solutions in June.

Keep an eye on http://gcsn.school.nz/community/event-calendar for further details.

 Our work with a number of school clusters in the Christchurch area is continuing.   A specific interest is to look at the way GCSN can assist schools in particular locations to:

• resolve any existing IT infrastructure issues
• suggest how school resources can be used most efficiently in providing IT services and equipment
• encourage schools in networking to promote effective learning and teaching practice through the use of IT.

Contact carol moffatt@gcsn.school.nz if schools in your cluster are interested in this support.

GCSN is also continuing its commitment in a wide range of areas.

• An Emerging  e Leaders Training Programme will operate during term two.  No more places available.
• Schools can obtain assistance with procurement of hardware and services including tablets and laptops, advice on connecting to fibre, or the availability of fast VDSL copper services and options for cost effective uncapped internet plans and VoIP services. Contact mike.hilliard@ gcsn.school.nz  

[General] GCSN Newsletter – 8 April 2013

From the inbox on Saturday night, and posted today for my Kiwi readers…

GCSN Newsletter – 8 April 2013

GCSN activities

 Learning communities and MoE clusters

GCSN is presently working with a number of local MoE clusters to support the development of learning communities  If other schools in your cluster are interested in getting more traction in developing such communities please contact carol.moffatt@gcsn.school.nz

 My Portfolio

Pascale Hyboud-Peron has recently led four  highly successful one-day My Portfolio in-school workshops in local secondary schools.  Contact  carol.moffatt@gcsn.school.nz if you are interested in arranging future sessions

 Future events

The GCN team is arranging a number of professional development opportunities for term two.  Keep a close eye on our events calendar for sessions in such areas as BYOD and eLPF on-line tool for GCSN schools

 Workchoice Trust

GCSN has formed a working relationship with this organisationthat  runs two programmes.  You can see further information about Workchoice Day  on 11^th June 2013 and the new  Teachers’ Workchoice Day on 23 August

 Careers in Technology and Science  -  video conferencing opportunities

Futureintech is once again presenting a number of opportunities for Christchurch schools to participate in video linked presentations given by industry.  Monday 15^th April 2:00 – 2:30 pm.  Grant Ryan from Yike Bike will present the story of his Yike Bike invention.  If you would like to link in please email Catherine Smith christchurch@futureintech.org.nz.  Further information following.   Read here to view previous video conferenced Futureintech sessions.

Reminders

Bulk purchasing

Bulk purchasing for IPADs, netbooks and android tablets will continue through 2013. iPad Iv’s and Mac Minis are now available as well! Contact mike.hilliard@gcsn.school.nz

 GCSN on Twitter

You can follow us on twitter @GCSN_NZ or view our profile at http://twitter.com/GCSN_NZ.

 Future directions for ICT development

EDUIGNITE EVENING – Ignite presenters share their personal and professional passions, using 20 slides that auto-advance every 15 seconds for a total of just five minutes. Come hear some amazing and inspiring presenters .Wednesday 17th April 6pm- at Riccarton Library booking info link

Actualités d’eLearning Africa 2013 – 5ème édition

The English language version was posted earlier today…

Index

Please send me this newsletter in English 1. Le storytelling : hier, aujourd’hui et demain 2. Ateliers pré-conférence et séminaires : réserver votre place dès maintenant ! 3. Aucun dumping n’est permis 4. Cap vers l’EAST ! 5. Examiner l’eSanté en Afrique 6. L’IAT et sa solution parfaite conçu par NComputing 7. Capter la créativité du continent 8. Le tremplin numérique pour une agriculture intégrée

Le storytelling : hier, aujourd’hui et demain

Un poète, un chanteur, un historien, un musicien, un comédien, un humoriste, un amuseur. Le griot est tout cela réuni et plus encore. À travers le storytelling et la musique, le griot partage et perpétue depuis des siècles les identités et histoires des communautés en Afrique de l’ouest. La culture orale sur le continent africain a perduré alors qu’elle a presque disparu dans tous les autres pays du monde. Mais avec le déplacement des populations et l’essor des loisirs numériques, qui continuera à perpétuer ces histoires au coin du feu et qui sera là pour les entendre ? En savoir plus

Ateliers pré-conférence et séminaires : réserver votre place dès maintenant !

Dans le dernier rapport annuel des Perspectives Economiques en Afrique (PEA), le Maroc a été identifié comme le seul pays africain présentant un programme d’emploi de la jeunesse « bien développé » . Il semblerait donc que le gouvernement marocain ait entrepris des actions appropriées pour obtenir ce résultat, faisant de son pays un exemple à suivre pour tous les autres. Cependant, les Unes de journaux de 2012, présentant des taux de chômage catastrophiques chez les jeunes diplômés et de tragiques cas d’auto-immolation, semblent nous raconter une tout autre histoire. Le service de presse d’eLearning Africa s’est penché sur le sujet afin de mieux comprendre comment le Maroc s’engage pour l’emploi des jeunes. En savoir plus

Aucun dumping n’est permis

En janvier 2013, le Service Actualités d’eLearning Africa publiait un rapport sur les progrès réalisés dans le cadre des Objectifs du Millénaire pour le développement (OMD). Il soulignait en effet la tendance préoccupante qui privilégie la quantité plutôt que la qualité concernant les efforts pour universaliser l’enseignement primaire d’ici à 2015. Les nouvelles technologies de l’eLearning offrent la remarquable possibilité  de diffuser un enseignement de haute qualité dans les pays en développement. Cela pourrait être une réponse au problème, même s’il ne s’agira pas simplement de se contenter « d’accumuler des TICs ». En savoir plus

Cap vers l’EAST !

Cette semaine, l’Equipe d’eLearning Africa est partie à la rencontre des boursiers d’EAST (eLearning Africa Scholarship Trust). Grâce aux généreuses donations d’individus et d’organisations partenaires, le programme EAST finance la participation d’africains technophiles aux faibles revenus  à la Conférence eLearning Africa. Aujourd’hui, EAST donne ainsi la parole à deux de ses lauréats 2012 en vue de découvrir comment EAST a impacté leurs activités. http://www.easttrust.org/fr/ En savoir plus

Examiner l’eSanté en Afrique

Le salon et l’espace de démonstrations offrent chaque année aux délégués un incomparable aperçu du futur des TICs, de l’éducation et de la formation en Afrique. Prenez le temps de visiter l’espace d’exposition et de directement rentrer en contact avec les entreprises leaders dans l’innovation sur le Continent. Ne laissez pas passer la chance de partager les services, produits et expertises de votre compagnie avec un public de professionnels des TICs, de l’éducation et de la formation. Si vous désirez en apprendre davantage sur les options disponibles et les tarifs, veuillez nous contacter à l’adresse suivante : marketing@elearning-africa.com. En savoir plus

L’IAT et sa solution parfaite conçu par NComputing

L’Institute of Advanced Technology (IAT), situé au Kenya, représente le principal institut de l’Afrique de l’Est dédié TIC. L’IAT devait initalement remplacer ces 380 bureaux informatiques vieillissants de ses centres et classes de formation mais ne disposait que d’un budget restreint. Afin que le succès soit au rendez-vous, l’IAT doit par ailleurs fournir un accès informatique viable aux utilisateurs tout en réduisant les coûts élevés de maintenance, aussi bien en ce qui concerne le matériel que le personnel d’assistance. En savior plus

Capter la créativité du continent

Goodluck est un agriculteur progressiste de 35 ans. Il commence sa journée tôt, en consultant sur son smartphone les dernières nouvelles sur la météo, les cultures qu’il pratique et les politiques qui peuvent concerner son entreprise et la coopérative dont il fait partie. En savoir plus

ICT4Ag – le tremplin numérique pour une agriculture intégrée

Goodluck est un agriculteur progressiste de 35 ans. Il commence sa journée tôt, en consultant sur son smartphone les dernières nouvelles sur la météo, les cultures qu’il pratique et les politiques qui peuvent concerner son entreprise et la coopérative dont il fait partie. En savoir plus

Participez à eLearning Africa 2013 et découvrez ce que le monde de l’apprentissage a de nouveau !

Sponsor Platine Sponsors d’Or Sponsor de la Conférence Partenaires
Le bulletin d’information d‘eLearning Africa est publié par E³ Communications. Les rédacteurs en chef sont : Claire Thrower, Alasdair Mackinnon et Gregory Vespasien, et les écrivains sont : Philippe Royer, Matthew Labrooy, Alasdair Mackinnon, Alicia Mitchell, Claire Adamson, Ronda Zelezny-Green et Golden Maunganidze.
ICWE GmbH, Leibnizstrasse 32 10625 Berlin, Germany Tel.: +49 (0)30 310 18 18-0 Fax: +49 (0)30 324 98 33 info@icwe.net, www.icwe.net

eLearning Africa 2013 News Service – 5th edition

From Sunday’s inbox…

Index

Veuillez s’il vous plaît m’envoyer cette lettre d’information en français 1. Storytelling yesterday, today and tomorrow 2. Pre-conference workshops and seminars: secure your spot now! 3. No dumping allowed 4. Eyes on EAST! 5. Examining eHealth in Africa 6. IAT was in search for the Perfect Solution and it found it with NComputing 7. Capturing the Continent’s creativity 8. ICT4AG – The digital springboard for smallholder agriculture

 

Storytelling yesterday, today and tomorrow

A poet, singer, historian, musician, comedian, an entertainer, an archive. The griot is all these things and more. Through storytelling and music, the griot has shared and maintained the identities and histories of communities in West Africa for centuries. Oral culture on the African continent has persisted when elsewhere in the world it has all but vanished. But with shifting populations and the rise of digital entertainment, who will continue to weave these stories around the fireside, and who will be there to listen? read more

 

Pre-conference workshops and seminars: secure your spot now!

Take part in an optional pre-conference workshop or seminar on 29th May to enhance your practical knowledge, gain insight from leading international experts and network with like-minded professionals. Workshops and seminars include GIZ’s “Technology Innovation Hubs in Africa: Creating Opportunities for Peer Learning and Knowledge Exchange”, which will explore best practice in sustainably creating and expanding innovation hubs; “Practical Innovative Blogging and Online Group Collaboration for Development”, in which participants will learn practical and innovative ways of sharing information online; and “Learning Design in the Open: Rethinking Our Courses for Tomorrow’s African Learners”, where participants will gain key tools and techniques for designing effective and educational courses. Places are strictly limited, so secure your spot today to ensure you don’t miss out. read more

 

No dumping allowed

In January this year the eLearning Africa news service reported on the progress being made towards the impending Millennium Development Goal (MGD) deadline and highlighted the worrying trend of prioritising quantity over quality in efforts to reach the target of universal primary education by 2015. New eLearning technologies offer the tantalising potential to spread high-quality education across the developing world. This could be an answer to the problem, but it is never a simple case of ‘just add ICT’. read more

 

Eyes on EAST!

This week, the eLearning Africa team met with eLearning Africa Scholarship Trust  (EAST) scholarship recipients. The EAST programme, thanks to the kind donations of individuals and organisational partners, sponsors participation at the eLearning Africa conference of low-income Africans who are passionate about ICT and education. Today, EAST passed the microphone to two of its 2012 scholarship winners to find out how EAST – and participation at eLearning Africa – have affected their professional activities. read more

 

Examining eHealth in Africa

Whether they are collating data on disease, monitoring health trends, combating misinformation or facilitating cooperation between medical centres, African eHealth initiatives are leading the way towards higher standards of living and health on the Continent. With eLearning Africa 2013 set to subject eHealth to a detailed examination, the news service explored a few initiatives that offer a promising prognosis for Africa’s health sector. read more

 

IAT was in search for the Perfect Solution and it found it with NComputing

The Institute of Advanced Technology (IAT), based in Kenya, is the leading ICT institute in the East African region. IAT needed to replace the 380 ageing PC desktops used in their training centres and classrooms but had only a small budget. To be successful, IAT would need to provide users with increased computing access while also reducing the high cost of maintenance both on hardware and support personnel. read more

 

Capturing the Continent’s creativity

Can ICT in Africa enrich and support traditional lifestyles and cultures? It certainly seems so, at least according to the entries already submitted to the 2013 eLearning Africa Photo Competition. Its theme, “Tradition and ICT Innovation: a couple with potential”, has drawn some inspiring work from budding photographers across the Continent, and will surely continue to attract more attention both in Africa and worldwide over the next few weeks. Anyone can take part – either by entering the competition or by voting for their favourite photo in the public choice category. The competition closes on Monday 3rd April – so to cast your vote or upload your entry in time for the deadline, follow the link and click either “vote” to view the gallery, or “submit” to send in your picture. read more

 

ICT4Ag – The digital springboard for inclusive agriculture

Goodluck is a 35 year old progressive farmer. He starts his day early checking his smartphone for the latest news on the weather, the crops he grows and on any policy developments that may concern his business and the cooperative he is a member of. read more

 

Take part in eLearning Africa 2013 and explore new worlds of learning!

 

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The eLearning Africa News Service is brought to you by E³ Communications, edited by Claire Thrower, Alasdair Mackinnon and Gregory Vespasien. Writers include: Philippe Royer, Matthew Labrooy, Alasdair Mackinnon, Alicia Mitchell, Claire Adamson, Ronda Zelezny-Green, Golden Maunganidze. If you would like to submit story ideas or write for us, please contact us on: ela@e3-communications.com. www.e3-communications.com For more information about the event, please contact:
ICWE GmbH, Leibnizstrasse 32 10625 Berlin, Germany Tel.: +49 (0)30 310 18 18-0 Fax: +49 (0)30 324 98 33 info@icwe.net, www.icwe.net