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The Importance of Coding and Updating the Education Curriculum

The Importance of Coding and Updating the Education Curriculum

by | Feb 22, 2021 | Old News

Photo by Robo Wunderkind on Unsplash

ORT and ORT SA’s Mission to Uplift Education and Teach Relevant Skills (Like Coding) to the Youth

How can we make today’s education curriculum relevant and up to date? 

Some argue that while the many industrial revolutions and overall technological advancement have changed the way we do business, the education sector hasn’t caught up. When one enters a classroom today, it’s not too different from how (and what) we taught the youth in the 19th century when they were entering manufacturing and production driven workplaces.

The History of ORT

That’s why ORT, an educational NGO, was established in the midst of the 2nd Industrial Revolution. The goal has always been to evolve the nature and methods of education delivery so that they stay aligned with the technological changes facing our societies. 

When ORT was established in 1880, it catered to the needs of the community and the job place, providing handicraft, agricultural and vocational training. It included courses such as teaching grain sifting, using knitting machines, auto mechanics and engineering courses. ORT’s goal has never changed, and to this day it remains to ensure the financial sustainability of communities, through education and skills development.  ORT, through its 140 years has established schools and operations in over 60 countries specialising in STEM education and promoting entrepreneurship. 

So when one wonders how to go about education in light of the transformation brought about by the 4th Industrial Revolution, it is natural to look at the worldwide network of ORT. Many schools in ORT’s network have incorporated coding and digital skills in their curriculum, enabling project-based learning through the incorporation of design thinking and problem-solving. 

ORT in South Africa (ORT SA)

In South Africa, ORT SA has rolled out coding clubs in government schools attended by thousands of learners and assisted with building the educational capacity of hundreds of teachers since 2015. We teach people how to code, think analytically and think critically, along with technical skills relevant to today’s job market. Learning coding languages, application and website development also encourages teamwork, collaboration and finding solutions to community challenges proactively and innovatively.

To get education relevant and up to date, we need to transform the way we teach and adjust the curriculum we teach to our new generations accordingly. Coding and digital skills must become part and parcel of our curriculum, ensuring our youth are ready for the digital workplace. 

To learn more about ORT SA you can go to www.ortsa.org.za 

Or email helene@ortsa.org.za for BBBEE solutions 

 

This article was written by Ariellah Rosenberg, ORT SA CEO

ORT SA CEO writes an open letter to staff re COVID19

ORT SA CEO writes an open letter to staff re COVID19

by | Mar 16, 2020 | Uncategorized

Dear All

We are all aware of the pandemic of the COVID19 and understand that in this times of uncertainties, it is best to stick to regulations and keep ourselves and staff informed as much as possible.

Yesterday, in his address to the nation, President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the actions to be taken to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following is the list of measures announced by Cyril Ramaphosa:

https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/coronavirus-all-the-latest-news-about-covid-19-in-south-africa-and-the-world-20200312

  1. A national state of disaster is declared in terms of the Disaster Management Act.
  2. Travel ban on high risk countries from 18 March 2020.
  3. SA Citizens to not travel to high risk countries.
  4. Gatherings of more than 100 people is prohibited.
  5. Large events and celebrations are cancelled.
  6. Schools closed from Wed 18 March until Easter weekend.
  7. working closely with unis, colleges etc. to increase hygiene and put other appropriate responses in place.
  8. Businesses are called upon to take measures to intensify hygiene control.
  9. Surveillance and testing systems are being strengthened at hospitals.
  10. Partnering with the private sector to develop a tracing, tracking and monitoring system for all those affected by coronavirus.
  11. Calling on everyone to take various personal measures as previously stated (hygiene, elbow greetings, etc.).
  12. Package to be put together as a response to the economic impact of the disease.
  13. Establishment of National Command Council chaired by Pres to meet 3 times a week to coordinate responses to pandemic.

What are we doing at ORT SA

Our plan of action is guided by ensuring the wellness of our staff and of our beneficiaries.  https://www.ortsa.org.za/summing-up-2019/ We will be examining the guidelines from government and WHO (World Health Organisation) on a daily basis and will take the necessary precautions to avoid contraction of the virus and ensure the safety of all. At the moment, government’s recommendation is to avoid gatherings of more than 100 people. We are planning to take extra precaution of not more than 40 people in certain workshops and on condition that at least one meter space is kept between each person.

Operations

  1. All our workshops and talks run by ORT Jet have been cancelled till further notice. The reason for this is that, at the moment, many of the people carrying the COVID19 have been overseas and many of the participants of these workshops have either been overseas or been in touch with someone that has been overseas.
  2. The training run by the ORT SA Skills Academy will carry on in smaller groups of up to 20-25 people per group ensuring safe distance from each other
  3. STEM training, carries on with IT Essential (a group of less than 20 people) and with the NW IT Bridging course (32 beneficiaries)
  4. We will re-examine the above on a daily basis

 

HR

While the office is to remain open and operational, we will try our best to ensure that staff keeps to the hygiene guidelines. Special attention will be given to higher risk employees (TB, Hypertension, Pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and Diabetes).

We advise that anyone hosting youth or beneficiaries for training or workplace experience adhere to these simple rules:

1. Washing hands regularly, don’t touch your face

The best method to prevent Coronavirus is by washing hands for 20 seconds with soap and water. Soap dissolves the fatty membrane holding the virus together and disintegrate when it comes in contact with soap and water. The way the virus spreads is through respiratory droplets (from a cough or a sneeze) getting into your nose, mouth or eyes. This is why it is recommended not to touch your face and cough into your elbow.

In addition, hand sanitizers will be available at central areas around ORT, including, at reception, for all training, in the upstairs area, at security hut and in our car.

2. Social Distancing
Minimise physical contact with others. Stop shaking hands (do the ‘CR elbow shake’) and don’t hug. Keep at least one meter from people in seating and meetings.

 3. If anyone is feeling sick – speak to manager

If any staff experience any of the Coronavirus symptoms such as fever, coughing, problems breathing, they should alert their HOD or HR or line manager for further instructions or guidelines.

At the moment we are going with the motto that prevention is better than cure and putting measures in place to reduce the risk as much as possible.

Yours in education

Ariellah

CEO ORT SA

Yes, the Youth are Making It

Yes, the Youth are Making It

by | Sep 13, 2019 | Uncategorized

Yes, the Youth are Making It

There is an old African proverb saying “mountains don’t meet but they meet through their shadows” meaning “if it looks impossible it does not mean it’s impossible”. This sums up this story of a young man born and bred in the under developed township of Alexandra, Johannesburg. Julius Olubudun, a veteran ORT SA maths facilitator recognised Clement Moroka’s talent when he learned of the difficult environment that Clement came from and yet, against all odds, he succeeded. “

After matriculating and then obtaining a certificate in computers, his job prospects were very slim. Clement applied at ORT SA, an implementation partner for the Youth Employment Services (Yes) programme tailored for unemployed youth. Olubodun added, “When Clement mentioned that he mentored kids in his neighbourhood in maths and science – that clinched it for me. He was the person we needed on our team and he was assigned as an intern maths tutor to assist me in after school maths classes that ORT SA run.”

A month into the programme an opening arose for an ORT SA Coding  facilitator. He was interviewed and landed the job – a full-time position on the ORT SA staff – no longer an intern position. “What looked impossible became possible,” said Clement

“In this journey as a youth and my first time in a professional working environment, I have learnt a lot from my colleagues as well as the projects we are involved in. I’m very blessed for it’s not always the case for a young person to run into such luck, especially in a country where youth unemployment is on a high. My gratitude goes to ORT SA, YES for Youth and Nedbank for changing my life in the manner they did. THANK YOU ORT SA, Yes and Nedbank,” said Clement Moroke.

By Thabang Mphahlele, ORT SA Yes Intern.

 

SA develops coding, robotics curricula for Grade R-9- article

SA develops coding, robotics curricula for Grade R-9- article

by | Mar 14, 2019 | Uncategorized

“We are thrilled to be recognised by the Minister for assisting with the development of a Coding & Robotics Curriculum for South African schools,” said ORT SA CEO, Ariellah Rosenberg.

Article by Admire Moyo, ITWeb’s business editor. Johannesburg, 13 Mar 2019

Basic education minister Angie Motshekga.

The South African government is developing curricula for coding and robotics for grades R to 9.

So said minister of basic  Angie Motshekga. “To  a sustainable industrialisation and keep pace with the world, South Africa is developing coding as well as robotics curricula to be included in GET [general education and training] from Grade R-9,” said Motshekga.

She said the curricula will  learners with an understanding of coding and robotics, and will develop their skills and competencies to prepare them for the fourth industrial revolution.

“The curricula will ensure our schooling system produces learners with the foundations for future work, and equip them with skills for the changing world,” the minister said.

According to Motshekga, the coding curriculum will develop learners’ ability to solve problems, think critically, and work collaboratively and creatively; function in a digital and information-driven world; apply digital and ICT skills; and transfer these skills to solve everyday problems.

She added that learners will also become a new generation of creative, innovative thinkers that can use coding to express their ideas, and adopt a culture of being self-directed, life-long learners.

“We are grateful to the University of South Africa (UNISA) that has generously agreed to partner with the DBE [Department of Basic Education] by making available their 24 ICT laboratories throughout the country for the training of 72 000 teachers in coding.”

The minister added the DBE is also working with civil society, academic institutions and businesses, such as Africa Teen Geeks.

She pointed out that with the support of Africa Teen Geeks, UNISA, North West University, ORT South Africa and Globenet, the DBE developed a framework for coding Grade R-9.

Google, Teen Geeks and other businesses through Africa are supporting the DBE to develop a coding platform that utilises artificial intelligence and machine learning to customise teaching and learning.

Student aptitude

Motshekga said customised teaching is the direct opposite of the one-size-fits-all methodology or philosophy.

“It considers individual student aptitude, learning speed, background, response and other variables. It processes the data in real-time and provides feedback to the teacher, so that the teacher can recognise flagging student attention or poor response immediately, and take corrective actions. This will improve student participation and, in the process, the overall results.”

She explained that machine learning will be able to explain the concepts as well as set goals for individual students.

On the other hand, she added, teachers will be able to track whether the students are able to digest the concepts.

“Based on that feedback, educators can change or modify the methodology, curriculum or topics accordingly. And, the result is more accurate and targeted for individuals. In simple terms, machine learning does the analytics based on individual student data, and makes the decision-making process automatic and uniform.”

She said this coding platform will need to be available in all 11 languages, ensuring rural and township children will be introduced to coding and robotics in their mother tongue, in line with government’s mission to provide an inclusive education accessible to all.

According to Motshekga, the robotics curriculum will have a strong foundation in engineering in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and will enable learners to build and operate robots through programming code.

Building computers

She noted the robotics curriculum will not require any infrastructure or devices, but will need maker spaces to provide hands-on, creative ways to encourage students to design, experiment, build and invent; for example, through cardboard construction activities.

“The projects will become more challenging as the grades progress. In Grade 9, the learners will be taught how to build a computer from scratch. This will not only develop STEM skills, but also contribute to effectively developing children’s creativity, critical thinking, design thinking and digital skills.

“This will ensure SA develops learners who are makers and inventors who will contribute to building an innovative culture in South Africa.”

Motshekga pointed out that teachers are going to be key in teaching this new subject, and the plan is to train at least three teachers in each of the 16 000 primary schools to teach coding.

“The implementation of coding in the system will start with a pilot in 1 000 schools in 2020 in five provinces for Grade 7 to 9,” she concluded.

“The support from ORT SA and all partners involved cannot be overemphasized & deserves loud resounding applause!”

“The support from ORT SA and all partners involved cannot be overemphasized & deserves loud resounding applause!”

by | Dec 7, 2018 | Uncategorized

                                                              Abridged speech to teachers, pupils and guests                                                                                    by Ms Maureen Mthimunye, Director in the office of the DDG, Gauteng Dept of Education (GDE)                                                                           at the ORT SA/Nedbank STEM function       28 November 2018

  “ Making Things Happen for Future Generations”

“Who is the future Generation? Is it not the children and learners in our communities and schools? Then the future is here! We must create a new integrated, agile, sustainable and lifelong education system, that matches the needs of the future generation.

Studies are showing that millions of technology jobs will remain unfilled because of the lack of skilled workers, of course other jobs will be outsourced to automation.

Making things to happen can no longer be delayed or postponed. It is urgent for policy makers to look for an education system that will equip learners with the knowledge and the skills of the 21st Century, relevant to the transforming world.

Critical thinking, problem solving, working collaboratively and communication to name just a few are some of the skills required. Coding and Robotics can do that.

You have seen the work done by the learners [at the event] as you moved around their exhibitions. Our learners are smart. The projects are evidence of that. I constantly remind my teams that out learners are smart. All we need is to find the mechanisms that unlock that smartness.  We need to find in the classroom, teaching and learning that provides opportunities for these learners to unleash what they are good and excelling on.

Gauteng is currently transforming the education space through innovative classrooms, technology devices for the learners and educators, Schools of Specialisation are the future this country needs.

We believe in teachers embracing skills such as Coding, we know this could have taken a lot of your time over and above your usual teaching and learning hours in your schools. You have in your efforts put aside the fears about working with Technology,

Your classroom will not be the same as yesterday, a total shift from book knowledge to high quality learning in the classroom, through Projects based learning, research, practical learning experiences of Mathematics, Science, Technology and Engineering subjects to mention a few.

Indeed you, [ORT SA]  have created a new integrated, agile, sustainable and life long education practice competencies that matches the needs of the future generations.

As the GDE, we want to truly convey our gratitude to the ORT SA CEO, Ariellah Rosenburg, the whole team of management and facilitators. All the schools, the managers, educators and learners involved in Coding are a huge milestone achieved in our province.

Thank you.”