ORT SA PRESENTS MANDELA WEEK WEBINARS

ORT SA PRESENTS MANDELA WEEK WEBINARS

When Madiba was guest of honour at the 1996 graduation of ORT SA Technology students, he said,

One tool that will enable people to rise above their circumstances is education, particularly education that leads to the acquisition of marketable tools.”

We continue this legacy during the ORT SA Mandela Week by extending the opportunity to you to join us for 3 amazing webinars that will lead you to acquire marketable tools.

Join us by clicking here for the 3 webinars:

Tuesday 21st July 3 pm -4:07 pm: How to be a Cyber Ninja

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpf-ivrTgiE9afCQXGsAyzXm-ldtK8BIQ4

Wed 22nd July 3pm -4:07 pm: How to Rock Your Future Job

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pd–srTspHNVB0-NhynCsUa_S5rM7Hy6s

Thursday 23rd July 11 am -12:07 pm: Polish Your Personal Presence

https://us02web.zoom.us/…/tZ0tf–pqjwjG91JmehLaGgwb-woIiyFa…

 

ORT SA PRESENTS MANDELA WEEK WEBINARS

ORT SA CEO writes an open letter to staff re COVID19

ORT SA CEO writes an open letter to staff re COVID19

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

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

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

“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 , 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.

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!”

                                                              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.”

 

 

 

 

And then there was light…

And then there was light…

 Let there be light.
Let there be light 

 

‘ I want you to know that you have changed my life completely. ‘

 

Privy to dwindling resources, in a time of water shortages and contemporary complications of the political kind that have dire effects on our ability to switch our lights on and off… there is hope yet. We refuse to let the darkness persist. A country that has the ability to stay hopeful breeds a population that is able to do the same in times of cynicism. Our collective history is one that has been filled with dark tales but rays of sunshine have managed to seep in.

On the particular day that brought me to this account, my special ray of sunshine came in the form of a letter in the drawer next to my desk. This discovery just happened to take place as I was perusing a vintage ORT South Africa folder- a forgotten letter in one of the ORT South Africa files nearly as old as myself, containing a testimonial from a particular student dated the 12th of December 1999. As i skimmed through the hand-writing, the words were reminiscent of the newly appointed President’s ‘Send Me’ SONA speech and peaked my imagine. In this context, it would be safe to desribe it as a proverbial light bulb moment.

As an ORT South Africa intern and familiarising myself with an organisation that is actively making a difference I can’t help but want to embody this difference that I see. The unfortunate nature of modern civilisation – and my generation in particular- has shaped many a millennial into taking for granted the efforts of many ordinary citizens within non-profit organisations like ORT South Africa. As the Y-Generation that has a centralised focus on their individual selves , we need to remind ourselves of the values of Ubuntu that should be ingrained as a united as a people of the African continent.

 

‘ I want you to know that you have changed my life completely. ‘

the letter reads..

‘ I can see where I stand now because of this foundation, not to me only that you have brought light but to all the young and old that you have helped. ‘ 

 

The long standing impact that these programmes have, shaping individuals and ultimately shaping their communities and the world, the discovery of this letter lead me to a journey of contemplation. ORT South Africa is affiliated to the international mother organisation World ORT which was established in Russia in 1880. The universal theme that underpins this organisation is not blatant hand-outs but rather a hand up. Being a player in the international arena is further proof of the organisation’s consistency and determination to make the world of difference to me, to you and to everyone that it can possibly reach. It’s important to remember always… It may be dark at fist, but surely there will be light at the end of the tunnel.