We have decided on the next training phase; with a pilot to be actioned soon to maintain momentum and keep the ball rolling…it is exciting to see how things are progressing; the homework done is coming in regularly; the standard of the trainer’s work is superb and it is obvious that there is much learning taking place.

Now we escalate this to the next level; to get it into the schools; and to start impacting on the learners who are going to be our future engineers and technicians; draughtspersons or technologists…

I suspect and this will be corroborated: that each of the learners who learn ELCAD and practise the skills will shift technologically; spatially and in their general maths skills…I really do believe that this programme is going to show massive impact on more areas than we first thought. And I am very excited about all of it.

We have big plans in store and the final hurdle for the trainers is going well; the examples are coming in; and excellent rendering of the shapes and embedded in pdf’s….the training has been successful

More to follow after PMB

10 examples have been sent to all the delegates; and the first ones are due in at the end of the week; the 10 examples will test and integrate knowledge of all the skills needed to train ELCAD in SA..some range from simple designs to interesting problems to solve; with teamwork and collaboration on solving these problems we will be ready to rollout training…

Watch this space and see the designs come in; rendered; lifelike; and in 3D pdf files which are really special…imagine a 3D shape within a pdf which can be rotated; moved and seen from all dimensions

Phew; we have had a hectic few days and the media evening came and went. Zeljko joined us from Bentley Empowered and after a very tiring journey from the Netherlands he eventually landed in Durban on Thursday morning; then it was running through the last minute arrangements before the media arrived for interviews and pictures..

The media arrived and we met the most amazing people; we spent time talking to interested journalists who were impressed with Guenter and Andreas’s depth of knowledge and their humility and gentle natures. In training they are committed; patient and give of themselves selflessly; all these qualities come through within 5 minutes of spending time with them.

The dinner/cocktail party which was sponsored by Bentley Empowered was a very sociable successful evening; the speeches by Zeljko Djuretic; Zamani Khuzwayo of MiET and Philip Dikgomo of the MST and ICT Directorate of KZN DoE all emphasized the commitment of all the stakeholders to the roll out of the ELCAD programme. All of the parties reiterated the importance of the buy-in and dedication of the training group and their organisations to ensure that we make a significant impact on education and skills in SA.

The pictures clearly show the joy and sense of team that our trainees and delegates felt on the final evening; they have been a superb group of people; who have all shown their commitment and dedication daily…we are blessed to be working with such an amazing group of trainers across the country..

There is consensus that we are going to be able to share this learning beyond EGD; Technical Drawing and CAD; there are multiple synergies with maths; life sciences and Design and Technology in the GET and Intermediate Phase.

Some of the trainees are finding this level of ICT skill challenging to work with; they are not au fait with mouse skills and keyboard competency which is required and are working hard to close the gap. This lack of ICT knowledge is making ELCAD tough to master; and also exposes a larger and more endemic problem within education.

How do educators function at full capacity when they dont have access to technology many of us take for granted? This is to be addressed nationally in all spheres of education.

The educators who have arrived with a good level of ICT skill (which we would expect in those who are responsible for EGD and CAD-being a computer based Learning Area); are having a very scintillating time; they are being shown capabilities and tools which are going to make their teaching so much more relevant and exciting. 3D spatial ability in their learners is lacking and V8i can embed moving and rotational capacity which SHOWS their learners the shapes in 3D. These educators are so excited to be able to use this to teach their learners…its going to make a massive difference to their work in class.

Today for 20 min each trainee was asked to perform a self-test; a time to reflect on what they had learned in the last few days and what would be needed to get them up to speed before end of Friday and the end of the training. Some were done in under 10 min; some took a little longer and some were stretched to complete in the allocated time. There is time for those who have struggled to make the grade; and practise is going to be the deciding factor for those.

In the whole Guenter and Andreas are very satisfied with the way training is going and the pace of the training.

Maritzburg College has been phenomenal; we have been treated to yummy food at set times which has inspired us to start an exercise regime next week..it has been a larger than life experience

There are regular giggles; we went to the MC shop and Guenter and Andreas are now the proud owners of rugby shirts in red; black and white Guenter and his son Tobias are going to be father and son rugby boys in Salzburg and Andreas’s 2 children will be dashing in red shirts…such a special memory that was created this afternoon.

We also visited the MC museum; with interesting conversations about old boys; the feats; I saw a swimming costume from Darian Townsend who was part of that amazing swimming relay team of men who won gold in the olympics….sharing in the history of MC was a special afternoon well spent.

Tomorrow we have the media evening; and we are working to make that a success; media packs; press releases; pictures and updating the blog….its going to be a special evening acknowledging the delegates and their learning; Guenter and Andreas’s contribution to education here and the team that made this a reality.

Zeljko arrives tomorrow morning and we are set to welcome him to SA bright and early; we are excited to have himhere and will be sharing more about him when he gets here

Maritzburg College is proving to be a special place to train; here we are fed like kings and queens; the boys are respectful and greet us: Morning Maám; Morning Sir…makes me feel old

The trainers are engrossed in the process of learning and during a meeting we had over lunch today to talk about the rolling out of the programme there was consensus to replicate as a team across KZN. It is patently clear that nobody can do this solo; we are all integral parts of this puzzle and together we are a formidable team. The trainers are excited to train others and to implement a joint strategy provincially; more sponsorship is needed to install hardware into schools. We all know this; what we are also very aware of is the importance of making sure we have traction in the schools we implement our strategy with; these success stories inspire more investment and interest.

My primary excitement about this is the relation to real life software used in industry; real life situations linked to maths concepts; a connection to the technical industry on many levels: engineering and draughting…in an arena where there are global shortages….to be given the opportunity to impact here is such a privilege.

Another day down and more learning and excitement around where this programme can be used; the trainers have identified that this can be used in GET; FET and intermediate phase at school; the impact is going to be immensely positive..

The group arrived yesterday; some arrived today for the first day’s training. Guenter and Andreas jumped right in and all the delegates are hard at work. Mastering microstation and working on the various faces of the solids with respect to the 3 axes is proving to be fun and challenging..

The range of expertise and skill level is large; with some real expertise seated next to novices in the software. The speed has been relatively fast if this range is taken into account and Andreas and Guenter are on track with the work that needs to be completed in the time allocated this week.

Lunch was yummy: typical KZN fare; curry with a kick and sambals with rice; our delegates are having so much fun that they headed back to the training venue long before the time for the next session. We found them in front of their PC’s and working from their notes and worksheets when we returned after our coffees.

Its late afternoon and we are still hard at work; there are many interesting discussions with the delegates about the next steps; rolling out; the team that is trained now is going to be instrumental in ensuring that our ELCAD programme (all of us here are collective owners now and there is strong buy-in to the programme and the great software).

The graveyard shift today is characterised by lively chatter; colleagues working on problems together and debates; there is high energy in the room and happy faces…this is all going so well and the relationships we build are invaluable. I believe in teaming up; collaboration and synergistic partnerships; and this is becoming a strong leader in that precise field.

Dinner conversation tonight is sure to be about: extrusions; which colours to choose from the 256 on offer; sides and edges; worksheets; and the beauty of technical software on steroids

I feel satisfied with the way things are moving; I have a sense of satisfaction that there are awesome people learning from one another and who want to assist one another in changing education. There is a team that is being formed here; and which is going to collaborate; cluster and share so that there is more impact when they return to their respective districts.

It is good to be here.

Guenter and Andreas arrive later; will be met by Lindy (my sterling special office manager) and Sharon (the indomitable organiser of accommodation and logistics)…then a short trip from ORT to Durban to really start the project. I am so excited to see Guenter again and meet Andreas. We have been working on this project for a year now; after meeting with Guenter in Salzburg in December 2008 and hatching this plan to get them out here I am filled with a sense of deep satisfaction and gratitude.

It really has been a team effort to get everything done; from the finances which had to be raised; allocated; budgets organised; logistics; delegates to be managed; and through it we have build strong relationships and a team that I would take anywhere with me.

I am sitting quietly with my coffee this morning reflecting on the journey thus far; and getting very excited about the next week…dinner tonight with all the delegates; to hand out their final itineraries; their final logistics; and to meet all these wonderful people we have had the privilege of speaking to over the phone for the last 2 months; now I get to meet them tonight for the first time.

I will have time to reflect during the next week as Guenter and Andreas train these teacher trainers; all of whom will have a massive impact on the teachers they develop; and the classes they teach. I know there will be such incredibly valuable learning that takes place: in pedagogy; methodology; training; and also in forging relationships between educators from Austria and SA; learning is going to take place for everyone…on so many different levels….and I am reminded of why I do what I do..

Infundo (latin for “to pour out”; “to bless”) aptly describes what we are going to do next week; and we are also going to have so much fun together doing it. More in the days to come….

I have had the privilege of working with so many exceptional people this year; communities where I have had the honour of learning from them about real life challenges on the ground to leaders who really want to give back: open agendas of engagement and a real heart for our country.

Next year sees the start of brand new projects alongside the existing ones: leadership in heads of schools; training and development of people; changing with whole communities from the inside out.

All our projects are aligned in that what we do is….. hold the intention and the opportunity for those in communities to take up the challenge and adventure to change; and the time is ripe for that change. We don’t have the right or the mandate to offer solutions into communities where we don’t live and work and breathe. The right solutions come from within; are driven by the people and owned by the communities.

I have been astounded by the level of commitment to change that is prevalent in our communities; facilitating the process leaves me humbled and grateful for the opportunity to do the work I do.

In reflection I am changed from within myself this year; further humbled; immensely excited and inspired by the people I have met this year. I am looking forward to being a part of the work that offers the promise of change in 2010.