Week Seven: Certainly not heaven

Wow! It has been a hectic week. Balancing my Masters studies with my webskills course is very challenging. I have a serious education law article/research project to submit on Tuesday after it has been language edited.

The highlight of this week was forming a working group with Francis and Maria, I am sure we will work well together. The prescribed readings of Thanasoulas and Sheu were very interesting because it touched a cord with what is happening here at home. I think learner autonomy is vital especially in the South African educational context. The Outcomes Based Education system in South African (well, our version of it anyway) I believe, makes learners lazy. Groupwork has its benefits but our first year university drop-out rate proves that learners are unable to work on their own and take responsibility for their own studies and destiny.

The education disparities of the past has come back to bite us in the but and OBE has not helped. Those that are able to work on their own succeed and those that are not fall further behind. I can not tell you what the remedy is, because I think the problem is much deeper and complex than we think. Educational authorities really have to have an introspection and investigate the problems to find possible solutions. I really don't know what the solutions are, but that we have a huge problem is very evident, especially if you look at literacy levels. Past TIMS and SAQMEC results prove that our education system is failing us. Results prove that we are are far behind our compatriots in other developing countries. Sad, very sad isn't it.

Through our discussions on Nicenet, I have come to realize that many fellow educators also have to teach in one computer classrooms and the lessons they develop are absolutely incredible. Well done everyone! Where there's a will there is always a way.

Have a super week!!!!