Vodacom Millionaires Project
Mecer classroom management solution training
Timeleni Primary School
Nhlazatshe
October 2012
From 2009 - 2012 I conducted PC literacy, the integration of technology into education and various educational software solutions training at several rural schools across South-Africa.
In 2012, I conducted training on the Mecer Classroom Management System. It was done on behalf of Learnthings Africa who was contracted by the Vodacom Millionaires Project. The project launched a competition whereby schools entered a competition. There were 4 winning schools every month.
The Mecer classroom Management System was the prize, basically a laptop with about 30 x Mecer mini laptops. The main laptop or teacher's laptop managed the learner laptops and teachers could utilize the system in organized class activities. I was contracted by Learnthings Africa to facilitate the training of teachers and students on utilizing this system. It took me to parts of South Africa where few white people or tourists get to go. It was an opportunity to see how most South Africans in rural areas live.
 |
| Farm entrance near Amsterdam (Mpumalanga) |
Project purpose
The overall purpose of the project was to ensure that the learners and the teachers are comfortable in integrating the interactive Classmate solution into classroom teaching and learning. Specific emphasis is placed on the integration of Learnthings and other educational content into teaching and learning. This implies that teachers should have an understanding of the navigation system as well as the actual available content (software; e.g. Encarta, Learnthings Primary Content, PIL & Skoool.co.za)
Goals
By the end of the course participants were introduced to the following:
• Overview of the hardware and software solution & Basic PC literacy.
• Content pre-loaded on the teacher’s laptop (PIL, Encarta, Learnthings content).
• Classroom Management software on Teacher’s laptop.
• Internet and productivity tools.
• Exposure to Software preloaded on Classmates (Encarta, Learnthings Primary Content)
About Mpumalanga
Mpumalanga (Zulu name for "the place where the sun rises") is a province in eastern South Africa, bordering the nations of Swaziland and Mozambique. It embraces the southern half of Kruger National Park, a huge nature reserve with abundant wildlife including big game. The province's iconic Blyde River Canyon, among the world’s largest, is known as a green canyon because of its subtropical foliage (Wikipedia).
 |
| Student training: Timeleni PRIMARY SCHOOL, Elukwatini, Nhlazatshe in Mpumalanga |
 |
| Student training: Timeleni PRIMARY SCHOOL, Elukwatini, Nhlazatshe in Mpumalanga |
 |
| Elukwatini, Nhlazatshe in Mpumalanga |
 |
| Supermarket - Elukwatini, Nhlazatshe in Mpumalanga |
 |
| Street scenery - Elukwatini, Nhlazatshe in Mpumalanga |
 |
| Street scenery - Elukwatini, Nhlazatshe in Mpumalanga |
 |
| Street scenery - Elukwatini, Nhlazatshe in Mpumalanga |
 |
| Supermarket - Elukwatini, Nhlazatshe in Mpumalanga |
 |
| Street scenery - Elukwatini, Nhlazatshe in Mpumalanga |
 |
| Timeleni PRIMARY SCHOOL, Elukwatini, Nhlazatshe in Mpumalanga |
 |
| Street scenery - Elukwatini, Nhlazatshe in Mpumalanga |
 |
| Elukwatini, Nhlazatshe in Mpumalanga |
 |
| Street scenery - Elukwatini, Nhlazatshe in Mpumalanga |
 |
| Elukwatini, Nhlazatshe in Mpumalanga |
 |
| Elukwatini, Nhlazatshe in Mpumalanga |
 |
| Elukwatini, Nhlazatshe in Mpumalanga |
 |
Nature scenery: Road between Elukwatini and Amsterdam,
where I stayed (about a 100 km trip, I had to do twice a day) |
 |
| Nature scenery: Road between Elukwatini and Amsterdam |
 |
| Nature scenery: Road between Elukwatini and Amsterdam - near Amsterdam |
 |
| Farm entrance on the road between Elukwatini and Amsterdam - near Amsterdam |
 |
| Nature scenery: Road between Elukwatini and Amsterdam - near Amsterdam |
 |
| Nature scenery: Road between Elukwatini and Amsterdam |
 |
| Amsterdam petrol station |
 |
| The main road through Amsterdam |
 |
| Exploring Amsterdam by foot - dirt street |
 |
| Exploring Amsterdam by foot - dirt street |
 |
| Exploring Amsterdam by foot - dirt street |
 |
| My rondawel - The Glen Oak lodge where I stayed for 2 nights |
 |
| Shack - Amsterdam |
 |
| Student training: Timeleni PRIMARY SCHOOL, Elukwatini, Nhlazatshe in Mpumalanga |
 |
| Student training: Timeleni PRIMARY SCHOOL, Elukwatini, Nhlazatshe in Mpumalanga |
 |
Teacher training: Timeleni PRIMARY SCHOOL, Elukwatini, Nhlazatshe in Mpumalanga
|
 |
| Nature scenery: Road between Elukwatini and Amsterdam |
 |
| Nature scenery: Road between Elukwatini and Amsterdam |
 |
| Nature scenery: Road between Elukwatini and Amsterdam |
 |
| Nature scenery: Road between Elukwatini and Amsterdam |
 |
| Exploring Amsterdam by foot - local kids |
 |
| Dutch Reformed Church, Amsterdam |
 |
| Exploring Amsterdam by foot - old house |
 |
| Exploring Amsterdam by foot - old house |
 |
| Exploring Amsterdam by foot - artistic function on my camera |
 |
| Teacher group photo after training |
 |
| Student training: Timeleni PRIMARY SCHOOL, Elukwatini, Nhlazatshe in Mpumalanga |
