Friday, 29 March 2013

Welcoming Post: Course Introduction


Dear participant

Welcome to the CHECET 2013 course!  We are looking forward to meeting all of you and to learn from each other in the following weeks.


Let's begin by giving you a quick overview of the course and what to expect in the following few weeks:

The course will provide a unique opportunity for academics from the HEIs in the Western Cape to come together in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere to learn, discuss and benefit from the valuable experiences of peers and expert facilitators from the four institutions in our region regarding the use of technologies for improved teaching and learning in Higher Education.

This short course will give you an experience of how technologies can be used to enhance your own teaching and learning in higher education.  In the course, you will have the opportunity to analyse your current context in relation to pedagogic problems, your students' learning needs and current available technologies.

You will then have the opportunity to design and develop a small-scale learning activity using at least one technology tool suitable to the context in which you work, and formatively evaluate this learning activity with one peer and/or a student(s) of your choice.  In the last session you will present this learning activity in the form of a case study to the course participants and the facilitators.

How would you benefit by participating in this short course?

  • Deepening your learning about using emerging technologies in higher education learning and teaching
  • Enhancing your knowledge of your context, available technologies and your students' needs as a helpful resource in higher education
  • Reducing isolation and creating community across boundaries of discipline and institution
  • Learning more about designing and developing a technology-enhanced activity for your own context
  • Reflecting on and evaluating your learning experience.


First Participant e-mail


Dear CHECET 2013 participant

Welcome to the 2013 CHEC short course on using Emerging Technologies to improve learning and teaching in Higher Education.

In order to prepare for our first meeting Wednesday 10 April 08:30 for 09:00 at the CPUT Bellville Campus IT Centre, we would like you to complete the following:



Step 1
Create a Google Account / e-mail Address
Having a Google account is essential since this will enable you to comment on our CHECET blog, create your own blog and seamlessly use other Google applications.

(Video) How to create a Google Account: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xGrQ6KwgTY


Step 2
Complete the pre-course survey by Monday 8 April at 12.00 am
It is important that you complete this survey since it assists us in preparing for your specific needs as participants.  Outcomes of the survey will be shared during our first meeting. 



Step 3
Ensure that you have a Facebook account:

(Video) How to create a Facebook Account:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTOOCY0yzwU

and

Join the CHECET Facebook Group by searching for CHECET 2013 or paste the following in your internet browser: http://www.facebook.com/groups/321489774621176/?fref=ts

It is important to have a FB account and join the group since this will give you hands-on experience on how we can use this tool to learn and teach. Please note that our group is closed and therefore only accessible to group members. A main benefit of creating such a group is that you can interact on FB with group members without having to befriend them.

Once you’ve joined the group, please write your first post on the Group wall by introducing yourself briefly:
·        
        Where and what do you lecture?
·         What are your key teaching challenges?
·         Share something unusual about yourself
·         If you did not teach at your university, what would you rather do?

(Video) How to join a Facebook Group:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UDE-rOxJ9I


Step 4
Comment on the CHECET 2013 blog
In addition to FB, we will also use a blog as repository or information, resources and interesting links.  During the course we would like you to reflect, share ideas and thoughts by commenting on the different posts and pages found on the blog.

Go to the following web address:  http://www.checet2013.blogspot.com/

Comment on the welcoming post on the home page.  You comment on a post by looking for the ‘comments’ link underneath the post.  Click on it, enter your comment, post by selecting ‘Google Account’ profile and then click the publish button.


Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or difficulties with the suggested steps.

We look forward to meeting all of you on the 10th of April!

CHECET Team

Course Sites and Technologies used


This year we will be mainly using emerging technologies, such as the suite of Google tools to facilitate communication, collaboration and learning.


Course Dates and Requirements




10 April 2013
One full-day face-to-face session (8 hours)

17 April 2013
Online session (1 hour)

24 April 2013
Half-day face-to-face session (5 hours)

8 May 2013
Online session (1 hour)

15 May 2013
Online session (1 hour)

22 May 2013
Half-day face-to-face session (5 hours)

Self study (20 hours)

To conclude: a minimum of 50 hours over 6 weeks where you will be able to develop a useful activity for your own learning and teaching practice.

Meet the Facilitators

Dear CHECET participant

Meet your course facilitators!

Dr JP Bosman (SU)  


Prof Vivienne Bozalek (UWC)


Dr Cheryl Brown (UCT)


Ms Daniela Gachago (CPUT)













Dr Eunice Ivala (CPUT)


Dr Rita Kizito (UWC)

Awaiting an image


Mr Ian Schroeder (UCT)


Dr Sonja Strydom (SU)