Following the presentation at the International Conference on Learning at the University of Mauritius I returned to Johannesburg to meet up with our programmer for the ALTC funded 3DVLE project, Charles Morris, who is also assisting with the development of the learning platform we are implementing in the socially disadvantaged schools in Gauteng and Limpopo Provinces in South Africa. Professor Noel Lindsay, University of Adelaide, who is also a member of the project team, joined us a few days later.
This was a follow up to our visit in January. The main purpose of this visit was to install the computers donated by SANZAF and our 3DVLE platform, and conduct teacher training. We had excellent attendance at the training sessions, even though it was school break for the teachers and children. As the photos below show, teachers were highly engaged by the learning platform.
A press conference held in Lenasia during our visit was well attended by senior officials from the Gauteng Province Department of Education, Esquire Technologies and several other VIP guests including the local media.
Here are some stories that appeared in the media during our visit:
3D learning in South Africa. Published by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council on the 12th, July, 2011. http://www.altc.edu.au/July2011-south-africa
Gauteng, Limpopo teach in 3D. Article published 18th July, 2011 in IT Web Open Source by journalist Farzana Rasool describing our research in Gauteng and Limpopo Provinces, South Africa: http://www.itweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45444:gauteng-limpopo-teach-in-3d&catid=203
SANZAF, Siyafunda CTC and Esquire Technologies major role players in bringing 3d virtual learning to Gauteng. Article published by Yusuf in LENZINFO: Lenasia’s Very Own Website on 7th July, 2011. http://www.lenzinfo.co.za/?p=2471
Esquire partners in 3D virtual learning trial. Article about our 3D virtual learning project published via Esquire Technologies South African website, 25th July, 2011. http://companies.mybroadband.co.za/esquire/2011/07/25/esquire-partners-in-3d-virtual-learning-trial/
Leading-edge 3D virtual learning technologies. Press release posted to The Big Picture, The Fine Print blog of film maker Alison Richards, 13th July 2011. http://alisonrichards.wordpress.com/2011/07/13/leading-edge-3d-virtual-learning-technologies/
We will be returning in October to conduct baseline testing of the children and then implementation of our three year longitudinal study during which time we will be tracking learner improvements in literacy, numeracy, life skills, economic management, self-efficacy, self-esteem and creativity.
Leave a comment