TechTalk E-magazine 2021 SGB election issue

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TECHtalk

Nuwe SBL uitgawe Toekomsgerigte denke Lede van die Sentrum vir Tegnologie

New SGB edition Thought Leadership Members of the Centre for Technology

#TECHt@lk Autumn / Herfs 2021

Newly elected SGB Nuut verkose SBL

Messages from our leaders

Thought leadership Toekomsgerigte denke

The CIO portfolio Digital transformation

Riaan van der Bergh

Education Technology Manager – FEDSAS Manager of the FEDSAS Centre for Technology

tech@fedsas.org.za

Lede van die Sentrum

Members of the Centre We showcase the services of our members

Hit that like button on your coffee machine

Pour yourself a cup of your favourite blend

Bookmark the link to this book and return to read the rest with another cup soon.

1

New SGB edition / Nuwe SBL uitgawe

Baie geluk

Riaan van der Bergh

aan alle nuutverkose SBL

portefeuljes, stig van komitees en sinvolle

lede. Alhoewel hierdie tydskrif bedoel is vir

aanwending van die huidige jaar se

alle belanghebbendes by die skool, wil ons

begroting in. Strategiese beplanning vir dié

groot aandag vestig op die feit dat ‘n nuwe

termyn en verder moet ook gedoen word en

SBL termyn begin het. Die aanvang van

later in die jaar moet die begroting opgestel

hierdie termyn is dan ook in die skadu van

word om gestalte te gee aan die strategiese

‘n onsekere jaar met baie uitdagings en

plan.

vernadering. Ons kyk na die effek van die

seisoen van verandering waarin ons tans is

Die

op die onderwyssektor.

ondersteun met advies tydens beplanning,

Die take van die nuwe SBL sluit onder andere die verdeling van werk en

Congratulations

to the newly

of

magazine is meant for more readers at

utilizing the current year budget.

school than the SGB members only, we

Strategic planning for the SGB term

need to consider that a new SGB term

and beyond should also be done and

has started.

This happened in the

then later in the year the important

wake of a volatile year with many

task of setting the budget in line with

challenges and lots of change. We will

the strategy.

committees

and

the season of change we find ourselves

The

in on the fundamentals of education.

be of assistance when it comes to

constituted SGB include that of

kwotasies. Ons vertrou u sal hierdie uitgawe nuttig vind.

appropriately

be dealing with some of the effects of

Some of the tasks of the newly

oplossings, keuse van diensverskaffers en

allocating portfolio’s, the establishment

elected SGB members. Although this

hopes to

planning, solutions, service providers and quotes. We trust this edition will serve your needs.

wil graag

Learn, TEACH, Manage and GOVERN

Leer, ONDERRIG, Bestuur en BEHEER

1

New SGB edition / Nuwe SBL uitgawe

Dit

herverkies is. Daar is egter ‘n groot aantal

gesien word. Sleutelwoorde in sub-artikel

Riaan van der Bergh

nuutverkose

1(a) sluit die volgende in:

blyk

dat

SBL

baie

van

lede

SBL

met

persperktief en vars bene.

lede

nuwe

Art 20. Dit kan as funksies en ook pligte

Of jy nou ‘n

“pro” of ‘n “noob” is (vra ‘n kind!) moedig



ons jou aan om na die “governance” konteks met ‘n nuwe bril te kyk.

Geen 2018

kandidaat was voorbereid op, of verkies met die ontwrigting wat ons wêreld (en skole)

It

ondergaan het, in gedagte nie. COVID het seems that ‘n high percentage of

highlighted it.

SGB members have been re-elected.

There are however also many first-

The SA Schools Act lists the Functions

time members with fresh minds and

of all governing bodies (Sect 20). The

fresh legs. Whether you are a “pro” or

key words in sub-section 1(a) include:

a “noob” (ask a child!) we urge you to look at the governance context with a renewed mind. No-one elected in 2018 was elected, or prepared, for the disruption in world and subsequently also

our

schooling

environment.

COVID did not create schools without sanitation (water and ablutions) , it merely highlighted it. Similarly, it did not create schools that were not ready for the disruption, it merely

nie veroorsaak dat sommige skole geen sanitasie (water en badkamers) gehad het nie maar slegs die kollig daarop gegooi.

Die

  If we focus on the development of our schools, we should take a deep look at evolve and advance should trigger us to look forward.

Skolewet

stipuleer

“

 Ontwikkeling van ons skole neem my na die sinonieme van die word – groei, verander, progresseer,

verbeter

en

vele

ander.

Hierdie beskrywende kosepte behoort ons

die

Werksaamhede van alle beheerliggame in



the root meaning of the word. Grow,

SA



te aktiveer in die proses om vorentoe te kyk.

Maya Angelou – American Poet

2

Message from our leaders Boodskap van ons leiers Paul Colditz – HUB - FEDSAS

Die debat oor tegnologie of nie tegnologie

opvoedingstaak.

nie, is iets van die verlede. Niemand twyfel

tweede viool gespeel teenoor die oordrag

nou meer daaroor dat tegnologie wêrelde

van kennis en vaardighede. Die prioriteit

opmaak wat die mens twee-en-ʼn-half jaar

moet nou anders wees.

gelede nog nie bedink het nie.

enigste antwoord wat ons het op die “regte

waarmee dit gedoen word.

waarsku egter: There has never been a time

Toekomsgerigtheid is die projek waarbinne

of greater promise, or one of greater

ons van die wêreld ʼn beter plek, die mens ʼn

potential peril.

beter

Andersom gestel: die regte tegnologie in die

WEF se vyfjaar-voorspelling.

verkeerde hande hou enorme gevaar in

Ekonomiese Forum (WEF) dat bereken word dat 57% van alle werk binne vyf jaar geoutomatiseer sal wees.

Teoreties beteken dit dat 57% van alle

mense hulle werk kwyt sou kon wees as hulle nie sou wou of kon aanpas nie.

Die rede, volgens die WEF, is tegnologiese en sosiale kragte wat bepaal hoe werk gedoen word, wie wat

tegnologie in die verkeerde hande”.

Die stigter van die WEF, Klaus Schwab,

Ons is reeds halfpad op pad na die

Op 3 September 2018 berig die Wêreld

Waardes is die

doen, waar dit gedoen word en

Dit was twee-en-ʼn-half jaar gelede.

Leierskapadvies vir skole wat vorentoe kyk

Dikwels het dit dalk

Op die stadium toe die WEF hierdie

want die tegnologiese omwentelinge wat

stelling gemaak het, het niemand

ons beleef sal nie alleen dit wat ons doen

natuurlik

watter

verander nie, maar ook wie ons is. Dit sal

verwoestende uitwerking covid-19 en

ons identiteit en alle verbandhoudende

wêreldwye inperkings op ekonomieë en

faktore raak: ons sin vir privaatheid, ons

die wêreld van werk sou hê nie. Wat

begrip

voorspel is om oor vyf of tien jaar te

verbruikspatrone, die tyd wat ons aan werk

gebeur was skielik met ons. Byna elke

en ontspanning afstaan, hoe ons loopbane

mens is gedwing om hom of haar tot

ontwikkel, hoe ons vaardighede aanleer en

tegnologie te wend en tegnologiese

bemeester, hoe ons mense ontmoet en

ontwikkeling

is

verhoudinge koester. Die lys is eindeloos

eksponensieel versnel. Dink maar net

want dit word net begrens deur die

aan hoe vinnig en drasties onderwysers

menslike verbeelding. Tegnologie alleen is

moes aanpas. Ook skoolbesture moes

dus nie die allerantwoord nie.

aanpas

maak,

gesegde wat in FEDSAS posgevat het, dit

beheerliggame moes nuwe maniere om

so kort en kragtig stel: tegnologie het nie ʼn

vergaderings en verkiesings te hou

vel nie.

voorsien

en

en

vooruitgang

planne

van

eienaarskap,

ons

Soos die

bedink en ervaar en diegene en skole wat nie kon aanpas nie, het eenvoudig

Die aanleer en vaslegging van waardes was

agtergebly.

nog altyd deel van die onderwys- en

mens,

wil

maak.

Daarin

het

tegnologie ʼn kardinale rol te speel, maar wat gedoen word en hoe dit gedoen sal word, is selfs belangriker. Leiers is leiers omdat hulle die regte pad kan aandui. Die hoe

en

die

wat

van

suksesvolle

ontwikkeling, aanleer en benutting van tegnologie

moet

gevolglik

voorafgegaan

word deur waarde-gedrewe leierskap en ʼn duidelike visie en verstaan van wat ons wil bereik. Tegnologie kan nie die plek inneem van

ware

menswees

klaskamerleiers,

nie.

Skoolleiers,

gemeenskapsleiers,

sal

altyd die vel van tegnologie moet wees.

Soos Albert Einstein gesê het: Education is what remains after one has

forgotten

has learned in school.

what

one

3

Message from our leaders Boodskap van ons leiers Paul Colditz – CEO - FEDSAS

what, where it is done and with what it is done.

That was two-and-a-half years ago.

We are already halfway towards the WEF’s five-year forecast. At the time, the WEF made this statement, no one foresaw what a devastating effect covid-19 and global lockdowns would

have on economies and the world of work. What was predicted to happen in five or ten years was suddenly with us.

Almost every human being has

been forced to turn to technology, and technological

development

and

advancement has been exponentially On 3 September 2018, the World Economic Forum (WEF) reported that

accelerated. Just think of how quickly and drastically teachers had to adapt.

it is estimated that 57% of all jobs will

School

be

years.

management teams had to adapt new

Theoretically, this means that 57% of

leadership initiatives and devise and

all people could lose their jobs if they

experience new ways of conduction

did not want to or could not adapt. The

meetings

reason, according to the WEF, is

people and schools that could not adapt

technological and social forces that

were simply left behind.

automated

within

five

debate

over

technology

or

no

governing

and

bodies

elections

and

and

those

transfer of knowledge and skills.

The

technology has been settled. No one now

priority must now be different. Values are

doubts that

the only answer we have to the “right

technology has opened-up

worlds that man did not even imagine twoand-a-half years ago.

determine how work is done, who does

Leadership advice for progressive schools

The

technology in the wrong hands”.

Future-oriented is the project within which

However, the founder of the WEF, Klaus

we want to make the world a better place,

Schwab, warns: There has never been a time

the human being a better human being.

of greater promise, or one of greater

Technology has a crucial role to play in this,

potential peril.

but what is being done and how it is done is

Conversely, the right technology in the wrong

hands

poses

enormous

danger

because the technological revolution we are experiencing will not only change what we do, but also who we are. It will affect our identity and all the issues associated with

it: our sense of privacy, our notions of ownership, our consumption patterns, the time we devote to work and leisure, and how we develop our careers, cultivate our skills,

meet

people,

and

nurture

relationships. The list is endless because it is bound only by our imagination.

even more important. Leaders are leaders because they determine the direction. The how and what of successful development, learning and utilisation of technology must therefore leadership

be

preceded

and

a

by

clear

value-driven vision

and

understanding of what we want to achieve.

Technology cannot take the place of being human. School leaders, classroom leaders, community leaders, will always have to be the skin of technology.

As Albert Einstein said:

Education is what remains after one

Technology alone is therefore not the

has forgotten what one has learned in

answer.

school.

As the saying in FEDSAS goes,

put so succinctly and powerfully: technology has no skin.

Teaching and inculcation of values has

always been part of teaching and learning.

It may have played second fiddle to the

4

Message from our leaders

We have a state-of-the-art website with all the right bells and whistles, an app to

Boodskap van ons leiers

communicate

Dr Jaco Deacon – Dep CEO - FEDSAS

platform and a brand-new studio set to

governors,

a

directly

webinar

to

parents

and

and

eLearning

broadcast live on Facebook and You Tube. make good use of technology until

We have cloud storage and collaborate

you know which technologies are

virtually form all 9 provinces.

relevant.”

virtual staff meetings, training and social

Now add the economical recession, political turmoil, Covid 19 and read it again....

technological products available that the search for relevance is no longer as easy as picking your breakfast cereal in the supermarket! We have seen how schools were overwhelmed and some

Collins trilogy of books on great companies and a few weeks ago I again

worked through my notes to prepare for a strategic planning session. There is

a

whole

chapter

devoted

to

technology in the book Good to Great and the following again caught my eye: “Good-to-great

companies

never

begin

transitions

with

their

pioneering

technology,

for

the

simple reason that you cannot

even

paralysed

during

the

new

realities under lockdown regulations.

They literally got stuck despite all the

help that is available.

As the leader in school governance and management we have pioneered with our Centre for Technology to bring the relevant

activities and our accounting system allows for flexibility and with the click of a button it can generate the required information to make sound data driven decisions.

The reality is that there are so many

A few years ago, I studied the Jim

We have

technological

solutions

to

schools to unlock the potential, to optimise education and to help shape learners for the future.

But as the

leader we were also leading by example in our own way of work.

We

have a telecommunication system that can connect all the staff as if we were in a traditional office and a well-oiled social

media team. We can also have numerous meetings all over the country without leaving the office! To be honest – we have not developed a single tech product that we use….we have searched for relevance and then applied it! And sometimes we had to change or correct, but we have embraced it!

The magic word is not technology – it is relevance in the hands of those that can use it or that have the ability to acquire the skills to apply it. There is no question about the vital role that technology plays, but the education sector is largely lagging behind to

optimise the use of relevant technology.

Back to Jim Collins…

“No

technology,

no

matter

how

amazing, can by itself ignite a shift from good to great....No technology can turn the wrong people into the right people. No technology can instil the discipline to confront the brutal facts of reality, nor can it instil unwavering faith...No

technology

can

create

a

culture of discipline... No technology can instil the simple inner belief that leaving unrealized potential on the table..”

We need to change human behaviour to optimise the use of relevant technology and

then to develop the ability to change with the introduction of new technology and ideas!

R1 000 000 available to South African schools in a nation-wide online safety campaign!

Joining the #share2protect campaign, can earn schools up to R20 000, while helping to keep children safer online by asking parents to submit a facial scan of their children.

The recent 2021 Convergence Survey conducted by the Film and Publication Board (media content regulator for South Africa), indicates that unmonitored, uncontrolled access by children to online media is growing significantly.

One way of mitigating online risks for children, such as access to pornography, cyberbullying and grooming, is ensuring that internet users can only access age-appropriate content, online areas and people. This is called agegating and is currently not very well regulated, as most sites simply require users to enter their date of birth or tick a box certifying their age.

FEDSAS (the national representative organisation for governing bodies of South African schools), has joined forces with Be in Touch (South Africa’s leading family digital wellness activists), and Media Monitoring Africa (MMA).This formidable team is partnering with Yoti (a UK-based identity verification platform), to launch a nationwide child protection and fundraising campaign, ensuring that an effective age gating solution is available and implementable in online spaces where children are at risk.

South African schools who choose to join the #share2protect campaign will not only be contributing to the protection of children around the globe, but can also tap into much-needed fundraising for their school while doing good!

Once registered and verified, South African schools will be issued a unique #share2protect campaign website link, which the parents in their school community can use to give consent and share facial photos of their children between the ages of 5 and 13. This is a safe, secure and legally compliant process, and no identities or location are shared or tracked, nor are the facial photos used for any other purpose than training the system.

Yoti will track the photo submissions for each school, using the unique link and has pledged to donate R20 per photo submitted, with each school having the opportunity of raising up to R20 000 in funding.

Yoti’s age estimation system was built to give everyone a secure and private way of proving their age, without the need for an ID document or revealing any other personal information. Just look into the camera, your face is scanned, your age is estimated in seconds and your image is deleted. From here you can connect with ageappropriate content and people online.

The technology uses machine-learning Artificial Intelligence (AI) which Yoti has trained to estimate ages. To train the AI, Yoti inputs verified data - an individual’s photo, month and year of birth - and the system keeps on learning and improving.

At least 50 000 facial photographs of children aged 5-13 are needed to “train” this AI system to accurately estimate the ages of children under 13.

The ultimate goal is to make accurate age estimation technology available to online platforms, as a way to regulate and limit access by children to age-inappropriate content and conversations online. Adult content sites, social media apps and games will have real options for proper age gating, and will feel the pressure to put stricter controls in place and offer age-appropriate content moderation, especially where there is a high risk of predators, sexual content, violence, self-harm and suicide, cyberbullying, drugs and alcohol.

The #share2protect campaign is inviting South African school staff members to email their interest to share2protect@yoti.com with their School Name in the email subject line, and phone number and name of the school staff member who will be championing their schools #share2protect campaign in the email body.

Interested parents and teachers can watch the following short video for more detail on the campaign https://bit.ly/3ojGKOQ or go to the campaign website https://share2protect.yoti.com/ For more info contact: Riaan van der Bergh, FEDSAS at 082 490 5790 or tech@fedsas.org.za

Maya Angelou – American Poet

5 The CIO|Die HIB

One of our key focus points in the Centre for Technology for 2020 was the introduction of the CIO in a school environment. We are all very aware of all the Chief officers

in business and the CIO has become one of the key players. We proposed that an

Riaan van der Bergh

SGB creates a portfolio with a person wearing the thinking cap of the CIO of the school. Schools are already dependent on various electronic systems that generate a wealth of data and information. The dependence on digital systems for financial management, administration, communication, reporting, classroom enrichment and others are already visible. Just look at what happens when the power goes off during the day when we do not need lights – it is then that we discover the power is not for us to see, but for us to be connected and work.

The CIO is not only the chief information officer, but also the Chief Integration Officer and the Chief Innovation Officer. Schools easily abdicate the need for progress by saying that they are in a poor area, or, they are in a farming community and not the city, or, they are merely a primary school, or that the final paper is still PAPER. All that may be factual but not the whole truth. Innovation is dearly needed in our society. Progress and new ways are not just

Meeste van ons is vertroud met die effektief

te

bestuur

en

te

beheer,

Hoofbeamptes in groot maatskappye. Die tegnologie om leeruitkomste te verbeter, hoof

uitvoerende

beampte,

die

hoof tegnologie om die massa data wat ‘n skool

finansiële beampte en vele ander. Oor die versamel te hanteer en die sekuriteit en laaste aantal jare met die toename in veiligheid van daardie data te bestuur. tegnologie en inligtingstelsels het die rol Inligting en inligtingstegnologie is op die van die Hoof Inligtingsbeampte (HIB)

voorgrond en ‘n skool is nie geïsoleerd van

ontstaan en gegroei. Daar is baie meriete die wêreld waarin ons leef nie.

daarin om ook hierdie rol in die skool omgewing te vestig as ‘n portefeulje op die SBL. Iemand moet die hoed dra en die denke rondom die sinvolle gebruik van tegnologie in skole op die tafel plaas. Dit behels tegnologie om die skool meer

Ons stel voor dat ‘n lid op die SBL spesifiek kyk na Inligtingstegnologie en dat daar ook ‘n komitee gestig word om die rol van die HIB te vervul en te bestuur.

good for us, but recently got forced on us.

It is our recommendation that the SGB has a portfolio for ICT and that the SGB also establishes a technology committee.

6

POPIA – Protection of Personal Information Act Beskerming van persoonlike inligting

There is a wealth of information on the FEDSAS website related to POPIA

You can also view various POPIA presentations on the FEDSAS YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR8o2tHmK2k&t=2s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atQKoIDbcrM&t=2s

7

Digital transformation: Roadmap

The FEDSAS Centre for Technology Riaan van der Bergh

During 2018 FEDSAS launched the FEDSAS het in 2018 die geloods.

Our aim is to give further value- Ons oogmerk is om waardevolle raad added service and advice to our en dienste aan ons lede skole te bied member schools in the field of the rakende die sinvolle aanwending en sensible use of technology in gebruik van tegnologie in onderwys. education. We wish to create a space Ons aanlyn-platform is ‘n geskikte on our online platform where service plek waar diensverskaffers hulle providers can showcase their oplossings kan vertoon en waar lede solutions and where member schools sinvolle oplossing kan navors. Die can find solutions.

TOEKOMS IS NOU as ons na die The FUTURE IS NOW if we look

at the world around us.

We

should embrace the changes and utilize the tools and trades of our times to enhance education.

wêreld om ons kyk. onsself

sinvol

hierdie

nuwe

Ons moet

posisioneer wêreld,

en

in die

praktyke en gereedskap van ons tyd

aanwend

leeruitkomste.

vir

beter

8

The FEDSAS Centre for Technology - continued Riaan van der Bergh

Ons boodskap vir 2021 Alles is nie vir almal nie -

Learn, TEACH, Manage and GOVERN

Alles in die mark is nie vir elke skool nie en alles by die skool is nie vir alle leerders nie

Leer, ONDERRIG, Bestuur en BEHEER The

Dit is hoe ons rol –

Die has two focus points for

het twee fokuspunte vir

the year. During consultations with die jaar. schools, we found

Tydens gesprekke met

Kweek ’n naturlike reaksie tot nuwe realiteite eerder as ‘n krisis-reaksie

that some tech skole sien ons dat sekere tegnologie

solutions are not considered by the oplossings nie oorweeg nie omdat dit school as they may not apply to all nie vir alle leerders of onderwysers,

learners, all classes, all educators or alle klasse of huishoudings is nie. even all households. One size fits Dit is ‘n fout om te dink dat all is a common mistake we make almal dieselfde skoengrote dra when procuring technology. Yet, we as dit kom by tegnologie aankope. have many activities at school for Tog het skole aktiwiteite vir slegs only a segment of the school – like sekere segmente van die skool - soos

choir,

rugby,

chess

or

debate. koor, rugby, skaak en redenaars.

Another focus point this year is ”this Nog ‘n fokuspunt vir ons is die meer is how we roll’.

Do not see this natuurlike reaksie tot verandering

new reality as abnormal but learn to eerder as ‘n noodgeval reaksie. Ons react more naturally.

sê: “Dit is hoe ons rol”.

One size does NOT fit all

This is how we roll

9

The new normal is NOT abnormal Riaan van der Bergh

The pandemic highlighted the phrase “new normal” but did not invent it. Looking at some of the brands and activities on the left you would realise that the world we live in changed dramatically over recent years. COVID highlighted it and in some ways accelerated it. Normal is not new but old becomes abnormal very fast.

Landlines, the telephone book where we published our personal details freely, scheduled TV programmes are all very abnormal nowadays. A few good comments made during webinars include: “change is slow until it is sudden”; “nothing we use now is new, the use is just accelerated” and “if forced, we adapt”. The education sector has been slow in changing, but when forced many schools adapted successfully. The big risk that we do not change fundamentally, but only superficially in this emergency. We should not hope for a total return the the previous normal – some elements of which were already not current and relevant (or normal).

Shopping, communication, entertainment, activity tracking, medical and fitness tracking, payments, currency and so much more

Lessons learnt from the entertainment industry Our previous world or old normal VS Our new world or new normal

• Scheduled (broadcast time) These are not just brand names. This is evidence of how our world has changed using mobile, connected and personal technology. The previous normal of many of these are now the abnormal.

• Fixed location

Many of these have infiltrated our lives without major disruption and we are using it without questioning the value or benefit.

How, and how fast should education adapt to our new world?

• Mass / Group (same

(lounge / TV)

show for all)

• Unscheduled (anytime) • Mobile (any place / any device) • Personalised (own choice of show)

10 Teaching the class of

2030 – ( 8 years from Jan 2022) Riaan van der Bergh

eight

years

remaining

until we reach 2030. This is

a significant date, not only as it points to the next decade, but also coincides with the timeline

set

out

in

the

National Development Plant

(NDP). Most SGBs would be doing

strategic

planning

shortly after the election. If looking forward includes a

We are already teaching the timeline to 2030 the class of and have been would like to add doing so for the past two to the action plans for the years. Yes, the grade 1s of following three to eight years.

2019 will matriculate in 2030. The following is a a list of From the beginning of next inspirational words we came year, the first full year of the across to take us into the next

new SGB term, there will be eight (or 8) years.

We, the people of South Africa,

11

We, the Digital people…

Riaan van der Bergh

injustices of our past;

those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land; those who have worked to build and develop our country; and

that South Africa belongs to all who live in it,

united in our diversity.

“Recognise, honour, respect and believe.” These are the strong words, and verbs, that introduce the preamble of our .

The Latin root of regocnise [re-cognoscere] can be translated with re- ‘again’ + cognoscere ‘learn’. Learning again or re-learning is changing our mindset and challenging status quo or “normal”. Looking at the Hootsuite report for mobile connectivity our region ranks highest. We are a very digital, mobile and connected people. Maybe we should recognise it.

all about the future. We are teaching the class of 2030 and beyond from 2018. Most people born today will see the 22nd century. Are we looking enough towards the future? Should we still debate the sensible use of technology in education, or should we rather debate how to integrate it, expand access and use it to cross the digital divide? Digital citizenship is

not an option.

FEDSAS launched a Digital Citizenship campaign in 2014 and

“Believe” speaks to belief or faith. It birthed the Centre for Technology in 2018, speaks of the future or what is to come.

Education and the education sector is

looking towards the future employing the tools of our age.

and

12 Tech Talk - Thursdays @ Three Tech Talk is the Centre for Technology webinar series. During these webinars we meet new solution providers, we look at innovation and industry development and we address the tech-related questions and issues reported by our members. Be on the lookout for our published webinar schedule but be assured that there will be a valuable and relevant discussion or presentation most Thursdays

@ Three.

Tech Talk is ons gereelde webinare reeks. Ons kyk na goei oplossings vir skole, diensverskaffers se bydrae aan die onderwys en bespreek relevante aangeleenthede in die tegnologie spasie. Hou ons nuusbriewe en sosiale media kanale dop vir meer inligting. Skakel gerus in – meeste

Donderdae @ Drie.

Online training, information sessions and time for Q&A. All of our Tech Talks are available on the FEDSAS YouTube channel.

12 FEDSAS “catch up” – replay on

Here are just a few or our recent and popular events hosted online. Please subscribe to the FEDSAS YouTube channel and see the latest relevant information as and when it is loaded.

Fundraising, lockdown solutions and other relevant solutions are showcased for your benefit. More than 3000 people have tuned in over recent months. Thank you for your participation.

Maya Angelou – American Poet

14

Governance – The King IV report Riaan van der Bergh

The fourth version of the King report on corporate governance (King IV) was published in 2016. As part of the 16 Principles of Good Governance, principle #12 deals with technology and information governance. The other element of risk management or governance that we are faced with during 2021 is that of FUTURE PROOFING your operations. Technology played a major role in the deployment of the continued learning at many schools during lockdown.

FEDSAS and the FEDSAS Institute for School Governance, together with the IoDSA, developed a guide - “Governance in Public Schools”. The guide is a valuable publication, and an e-book can be purchased on the Snapplify reader platform.

There are three elements present when designing a solution.

Unfortunately, one can only choose two.

Daar is drie kritiese elemente om te oorweeg wanneer jy ‘n oplossing ontwerp of projek loods. Maar jy kan net twee kies. Vinnig en goedkoop is nie goed nie; vining en goed is nie goedkoop nie; en goed en goedkoop gaan stadig gebeur.

15 Solution providers

Diensverskaffers

The Centre for Technology aims to find solutions in the education technology industry that would add value to schools and add value to our members.

In the next section the corporate members will showcase their solutions, products and services. The contents that follows were provided by the members of the Centre for Technology.

Die Sentrum

vir Tegnologie se mikpunt is om tegnologiese oplossings en

diensverskaffers in die mark te ondersoek wat toepaslike oplossings vir skole bied.

In die afdeling wat volg stel die korporatiewe lede van die Sentrum vir Tegnologie hulle

oplossings, produkte en dienste bekend. Die materiaal wat volg is verskaf deur die diensverkaffers en nie deur FEDSAS saamgestel nie.

Solution providers Diensverskaffers The Centre for Technology has an array of members with varying services ranging

from campus tech, office tech, classroom tech and home tech. We have Diamond, Gold and Silver memberships available as well as Friends of the Centre (NPO’s).

All our service providers have a profile page on the Centre for Technology website.

Visit www.fedsastech.org.za and click on the ‘companies’ menu to view our members.

Die Sentrum vir Tegnologie het ‘n aantal lede met ‘n verskeidenheid dienste wat kampustegnologie, kantoortegnologie, klaskamertegnologie en tegnolgoie vir die huis insluit. Ons het Diamant, Goud en Silwer lede en ook Vriende van die Sentrum (NOW’s). Om na die profiele van al ons lede te kyk, besoek die Sentrum vir

Tegnologie webwerf by www.fedsastech.org.za en kyk na die ‘companies’ opsie.

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Maya Angelou – American Poet

In partnership, Learning Curve and Adobe are committed to supporting educators who are wanting to teach creative problem solving, getting technology into the hands of schools and students, and inspiring young people to create. While technology alone is not the answer, it plays a key role.

Adobe's newest generation of apps have been developed specifically with students and teachers in mind. From storytelling tools like Adobe Spark to powerful video editing with Adobe Rush, the experience empowers students of all grades to create high quality visuals and presentations in minutes!

Integrate creative problem solving into your classroom – today.

Take one of over 20 free collaborative courses, taught by educators for educators, to learn how to integrate digital media and creative problem solving into your curriculum.

Numerous studies, including ones from the US Department of Education, World Economic Forum, and Bloomberg indicate that tomorrow’s jobs will demand “creative problem solving skills.”

But what exactly are creative problem solving skills? And are they being taught effectively to the next generation who will face competition for jobs from automation? How do educators bridge the skills gap to ensure our students are ready for careers that don’t even exist yet?

Become an Adobe Creative Educator by joining the Creative Educator program for educators in every subject area and grade level. You will receive curated professional development materials and information about events and the opportunity to connect with like-minded educators from around the world. To recognise your professional development you’ll earn badges for completing each level of the program.

Discover Khan Create – Adobe educators extend Khan Academy and Pixar in a Box lessons with engaging, creative activities for students of all ages.

To deliver better access to the tools that will help educators teach these skills and to honour our commitment to the digital journey in education, Learning Curve are exclusively offering the following:  - Exclusive access to the entire Creative Cloud Suite for just R399* per user, per year with no minimum purchase required. This offer is available to all educators and scholars from Grade 0 to 12.

Licenses are available for individual purchase through our online store. For bulk purchase, please contact us directly.

Globally, educators believe that students need to develop skills to protect their futures, as the professions that require creative problem solving are less likely to be impacted by automation.

However, it isn’t just job-protection where creative problem solving makes a difference. Almost 90 percent of respondents surveyed believe students who excel at creative problem solving will have higher-earning job opportunities in the future, and 85 percent agreed that these same skills are in high demand by today’s employers for senior-level and higher-paying careers.

 – FREE access to Adobe Spark for your entire institution. Whether for a few members of staff or the entire institution, Learning Curve will get you up and running so educators and scholars can create graphics, web pages and short videos in minutes! Full introduction training available as well as lesson plans developed in line with South African CAPS curriculum.

Contact us today to find out more!

Adobe Educational Specialist – Gerda Bessinger | gerda@learningcurve.co.za *Proof of employment / enrolment at educational institution must be provided at the time of purchase.

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Build accessibility into studying and coursework

Create truly inclusive learning environments Collaborate inclusively. Microsoft Teams unites remote learning tools in one hub and promotes engagement through text, voice, and video—plus accessibility features and compatibility with assistive technologies like screen readers.

Provide captions and transcription. Host remote lectures with Stream and PowerPoint, using PowerPoint Live for easy access and subtitles. Translation for lecture subtitles, meeting captions, and Teams chat eliminates language barriers.

Create accessible resources. Leverage built-in checkers in Office 365 to make sure PowerPoint presentations, documents, emails, and other materials are accessible for all students, including alt text for people who are blind.

Offer accessible virtual labs. Azure Lab Services provides inclusive, easily scalable labs in the cloud so that you can continue offering hands-on learning remotely—expanding labs to students unable to access physical labs.

Meet standards more easily. Supported by Microsoft’s broad set of compliance offerings, adhere to accessibility standards more quickly with tools like Accessibility Insights, which automatically checks for WCAG issues on websites.

Enable better learning outcomes with built-in accessibility features. From reading tools that help the 15% of people who have dyslexia 5 to the Seeing AI App that aids people who are blind or low-vision, Microsoft is committed to supporting all learners.

Make reading and writing inclusive. Learning Tools, including Immersive Reader, enable students to customize text size and color, understand sentences through grammar highlighting, and activate text-to-speech or dictation.

Empower focus. Help students focus by reducing animations and turning off background images in Windows 10, or even have documents read aloud in Microsoft Edge. Focus Assist turns off notifications for email and chat.

Give students built-in accessibility. Students can use the Ease of Access center to change content size, apply color filters, and more across the whole operating system—tailoring Windows to their individual needs.

Enable easy lecture study. Students can review searchable lecture transcripts generated automatically by Stream, so that they can revisit specific topics by typing in key words. Students who use transcripts have increased test scores by 8%.6 Provide intuitive homework tools. Students can get automatic writing help through AI-powered tool Microsoft Editor or brainstorm outlines with PowerPoint QuickStarter. Research is easier with Smart Lookup and automatic citations.

Additional Resources • Accessibility Learning Webinar Series • Accommodations by Category • AI for Accessibility • Connect with an Accessibility Expert • How Microsoft Approaches Workplace Inclusion • Microsoft Disability Answer Desk 1. The World Bank 2. McGraw Hill 3. Educause 4. NCSER 5. The Reading Well 6. Microsoft

Learn more about how Microsoft empowers students to achieve more with the built-in accessibility tools and features in Microsoft technologies.

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Maya Angelou – American Poet

SaveTNet Click on the play button on the left for English Klik op die speel knoppie regs vir Afrikaans

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Maya Angelou – American Poet

DigiComm Facilitation Efficient communication solutions

Having problems communicating with your staff, parents, or pupils?

With everything that is going on in South Africa, and the rest of the world in the past 6 months, it has been harder to meet up in groups and have discussions, meetings or conferences with a large number of people. This includes having meetings with parents and pupils at our schools, and with important meetings coming up, such as budget meetings and annual general meetings, it has been a worry as to how schools will communicate with their stakeholders. However, DigiComm Facilitation has a solution for you.

DigiComm Facilitation has been hosting, facilitating and managing online meetings for the past 3 years and has gained valuable experience in the best practice of managing successful webinars and online meetings. DigiComm Facilitation offers services that help you communicate better online.

From meetings, where everyone can discuss the topic, to webinars, which can reach a bigger audience. We cover every aspect that normally happens in face to face meetings. If you need to vote on something, we can organise a poll, which can easily be counted right there on the spot, no need to stay later and count slips of paper.

Questions from participants, raised through the chat box will be arranged by DigiComm Facilitation to allow the presenter to address them at the end of the session. Participants can also “raise their hand” and ask a question live. If the presenter has a presentation that needs to be shown, the presentation can be shared and it will be shown on each participant’s device, as the presenter goes through their content.

There are many added advantages of hosting your meeting online, rather than at a venue. There is no limit to the number of people that can attend, whereas a face-to-face meeting may be limiting depending on the size of the venue. Transport to and from the venue is also eliminated, the participants can attend the meeting from the comfort of their homes. Many parents do not attend meetings, due to work commitments or other obligations which need to be attended to. With online meetings, we can send a recording of the whole meeting which parents can view in their own time.

DigiComm Facilitation has hosted parents’ meetings, school assemblies and other school related meetings, and have found the number of participants surpassed the number of attendees that schools had at similar face-to-face meetings in the past. DigiComm Facilitation has all the necessary expertise to help you get the best experience from your online meetings.

For more information contact: Megan Rencken Director: Operations Manager meganr.dcf@gmail.com 078 434 6792

Paul Rencken Director: Facilitation Manager paulr.dcf@gmail.com 082 493 5263

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Ja red Molko, Co- Found er a nd CEO, wa s em p loyee num b er 9 for Goog le South Afric a . He ha s worked for Goog le a c ross the g lob e, d riving a d op tion of d ig ita l p rod uc ts for em erg ing m a rkets. Ja red a lso hold s a Ma sters Deg ree in Ana lytic a l Psyc holog y. He is a n exp ert in Artific ia l Intellig enc e a nd ha s sp oken twic e on the TED sta g e a round future skills for the m od ern ec onom y.

Fa rrel Strul, Co- Found er a nd CFO, is a g ifted tea c her a nd m entor, a s well a s seria l entrep reneur. His orig ina l ed uc a tion b usiness, Fa st Ma ths, c ontinues to sup p ort, enric h a nd em p ower stud ents w ith hig h q ua lity m a ths c ontent 23 yea rs la ter. He ha s found ed severa l other ed uc a tion a nd Ed Tec h b usinesses over the p a st two d ec a d es, steering their suc c ess. Fa rrel hold s a Ba c helor of Business Sc ienc e Deg ree in Ec onom ic s a nd Fina nc e Honours from UCT.

In discussion with Charl Ueckermann, CEO of AVeS Cyber Security

Overcoming Remote Teaching/Learning Challenges With Governance

Q: Why is it important to wear a governance hat when planning a school’s budget?

A: Well, schools generally h have very tig t budgets, and they need to do the almost impossible with the budgets they have available. When every rand counts, schools’ governing bodies, h principals and IT staff a ve to be clear on what is fitfor-purpose for their school. Governance can give guidance on which skills, processes and technologies they need to operate effectively iand efficen tly. There are a few tried-andtested IT governance frameworks, like COBIT 2019, that can help you n ask those types of questios . W h a t’s more, is what is right for one school might not be right for another school in the same neighbourhood. So, wearing a governance hat to plan with your school’s requirements in mind, and not n a specifict echnology solutio, is cruc i al . Thi s hel p s to align the tools schools choose (technology) with what they need to achieve (organisatio n al obj ectiv es) over the long term. Don’t start running without n knowing where you’re going.

Q: Where does the leadership for digital transformatio n come from in g a school settin?

A: Digital transformatio n doe s not happen haphazardly; to succeed, it needs solid t leadership from the school’s governing body that then fil ers down to the school’s principal, viceprincipal, and teachers. Just like companies have CIOs (Chiefr Informatio n Of fice s) who advise their Board of Directors, so too can schools’ governing bodies benefitfr om CIO advisors who help them set up a digital transformatio n r oadmap.

Through the FEDSAS network, schools can even get some of these CIO Advisory services for free, or at discounted prices.

•

Get started with distance learning: A focused learning environment isn’t easy to achieve away from the physical classroom. Microsoft e s her e t o support multimdi a online experiences that keep educators, students, and families connected. n

Q: How does a solutio lik e Bring Your Own School support schools’ full remote teaching and learning needs for the foreseeable future?

A: Well, Bring Your Own School can be tailored to suit a school’s digital readiness levels, which will depend on where they are in their digital transformatio n jour ne y.

Some are onlyg startin t o think about or implement remote learning now (because they have to). Bring Your Own School addresses some of the key technical stumbling blocks ofggettin g a school oper atin onl ine, r emotely: IT governance (e.g. we give schools a free remote ITs diagnostic assessment, discuss the report with them and provide them gwith an IT Security policy as a startin poi n t), and can implement the technology to facilitate remote teaching/ learning (free Microsoft O f fice365 l icences f or teachers and students) securely e (free Kaspersky for Offic 365 licenc es for the school for the first six months, as well as significant discounts to other security software). i

•

Shiftig t o distance learning: A 5-day guide for school leaders.

•

Tips to Gettin g St arted with Remote Learning in Office 365 (with learning distance resources).

•

Distance learning with Office 365: Guidance for parents and guardians.

AVeS Cyber Security is an IT Governance & Architectural services consultancy who works with schools and businesses l e on instiling Con fidnc e in thei r Di gi t al Informatio n . Fi nd them a t https://aves.co.za.

Here are some useful resources for governing bodies from Microsoft:

Refer to the following two pages for shareable/ downloadable resources for teachers and students to use.

•

How to guide: How to Use Teams for schoolwork when bandwidth is low (tips for teachers and students)

•

A shareable social n media card: How about sending a message to a friend/ teachers/parent/principal to show appreciatio f or the fantasticwo r k the y’re doing?

Maya Angelou – American Poet Brought to you by the A-Team at

Visit Microsoft’s Family Learning Centre for age-appropriate ideas on learning together with your child Engage your family for an hour or more with these safe and simple, family-led learning experiences for ages 3 to 12. This in collectio of ,fr ee activties cur ated n out of educatioal resources from around the world, encourages families to Learn, Do e and Share.

Enjoy some tim t ogether! You’re doing great!

Even more family tools, resources, and help are here.

Want to share your appreciatio n ?

Here’s a social media card that you can share with a teacher, parent or student.

Download a shareable version of the social media card Download a shareable version of the phone background

Maya Angelou – American Poet Brought to you by the A-Team at

Education Data

Extract from a blog on SchoolAdvisor: https://blog.schooladvisor.co.za/do-schools-have-to-use-sa-sams/

(An interview on the (non-) compulsory use of SA-SAMS with Riaan van der Bergh) He explains that the CEM (Council of Education Ministers – MEC’s from all provinces) took a decision that SA-SAMS is the single source for reporting which has caused

School Administration Management System

confusion. This does not prescribe the use of SA-SAMS but rather the reporting format, content and structure of the data to be reported. We should not confuse the need for data in the SA-SAMS format with the use of SA-SAMS to produce the format. A school

has a legal obligation to be compliant in their reporting but SA-SAMS, as a system, is not legally enforceable.

(SAMS)

He simplifies this further by saying SA-SAMS as a collective noun means one of three of the following:

…What does the law say?

•

The tool to be used by schools as an operational system to help manage the school (Also referred to as a SAMS – School administration management system). This

Data

gedrewe

besluitneming

is weergawe

van

SA-SAMS

is

kardinaal vir beplanning en toedeling ontoereikend en het die einde van sy van hulpbronne. Een van die grootste rakleeftyd bereik.

could be called the “typewriter” on which work is done.

•

levels. This is the FORMAT in which the reporting should take place. This can be

Die DBO is tans

called the “letter or report” produced by the typist on any typewriter in a specific

voordele van inligtingstegnologie is die besig om te werk aan die modernisering omvang van die data wat versamel daarvan. word

en

die

waarde

wat

Tans is dit egter nie ’n

The Data structure to mirror when reporting data to the Department at various

format and with specific content.

•

The collection of individual schools’ data stored in the data warehouse now in

daaruit verpligte stelsel vir skole om te gebruik

existence in all provinces, except for Western Cape. This could be called the “file” in

voortspruit met analise en ontleding nie maar vir meeste provinsies is die

which all reports are now being housed in order to mine the data on a collective

daarvan. Rappertering op skool vlak en datastruktuur

basis. Specification of format and requirements for content is thus crucial in order

van

SA-SAMS

die

to have a global view of aggregated data.

ook op provinsiale en nasionale vlak formaat waarin die data verskaf moet kan ‘n groot rol speel in die bestuur van word.

party

He concluded his update to say that the discussion around data should morph from

Edupac,

mere compliance reporting to the Department with no perceived value to the schools to

data versamel en gerapporteer moet Saspac, Scadsys, Staffroom en ander

the value of data for day to day management and improvement of the local school.

word nie maar of die enigste sagteware resorteer is steeds ‘n toelaatbare en

[Riaan is also the independent chairperson of the Education Data Forum (EDF) which

die sektor.

Sogenaamde

Die debat is nie OF daar verskaffers

waaronder

derde d6,

hiervoor SA-SAMS moet of mag wees. geldige opsie vir skole om te gebruik.

Die debat duur voort en die huidige

is

a

forum

for

various

(https://www.fedsas.org.za/Technology/20114/)]

Third

Party

suppliers

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Maya Angelou – American Poet

www.ElectronicSport.Africa (ESA) is your definitive Gaming and Esport platform built by a team made up of entrepreneurs, technologists, passionate gamers, and experienced industry partners.

ESA at its core is an online Tournament Management Platform with built in Social Networking tools.

ESA is the entry point for your school to connect to the world of Online Gaming and Esports.

Our support ranges from competitive Online Video Games, Competitive Robotics (Lego & Vex), Virtual Drone Racing and Online Chess.

Let us help bring this 21st century sporting phenomenon to you and your students with our easy to use, affordable online platform.

ESA will help you and your school activate, adopt, and compete during this tough economic and socially distant time.

Esports can be done from the comfort of your own home and the most wonderful part is that it is for everyone no matter how young or old, big or small, male or female, disabled or abled, there is always something for everyone.

ESA provides a safe environment with cyber security features and reporting for all users.

ESA prides itself as a thought leader using Esports as a vehicle for education transformation and building the ecosystem towards building capacity that speaks to the SDGs, NDP and 2030 Vision.

Think of ESA as a digital Curriculum Vitae for its users that show achievement through participation and time spent building their digital capacity.

ESA provides Schools and Parents a place that their children can responsibly engage with one another doing what they love most, whilst maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

Our Ethos is that of Respect while we promote a winning and growth mindset.

For a live demonstration and consultation please email ryan@a-esa.org or sign up your school directly www.electronicsport.africa or visit our Education Portal www.a-esa.org

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Maya Angelou – American Poet

FEDSAS TECH in the NEWS

CASE-SA: Porn-Proofing

WHY video: https://youtu.be/B0c-LyDUJyQ How videos: Porn-proofing video https://youtu.be/6ZQShEnEEPs #ParentTalk video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VLe1EQ4vuc

Web page: https://case-sa.org/pornproof/

Maya Angelou – American Poet

WWW.FEDSAS.ORG.ZA For the most comprehensive website on school governance visit the FEDSAS website Vir die mees omvattende skoolbeheer webwerf besoek die FEDSAS webtuiste.

This publication was compiled by Riaan van der Bergh, FEDSAS Centre for Technology. Some pictures borrowed from the internet and all service provider content provided by the service provider.