Page 11 - EngineerIT November 2021

ICT EDUCATION

The value of the coding kits is seen in the different
ways schools are implementing coding. Because coding
and robotics are not officially part of the curriculum,
alternative implementation strategies are used. Coding
clubs after school (or even during break time) have proved
to be popular. Excelsion Primary School in Gqeberha has
40 learners participating in its club. They do not only do
TANKS coding, but various other problem-solving activities.
In Nelson Mandela Township (Port Alfred) coding clubs are
run on Sunday afternoons. There, some sessions were spent
with learners competing at seeing who could solve Keith
Gibson’s computational thinking activities the quickest.
At Humansdorp Secondary School, Ms Janine Olivier is
enthusiastic about the incorporation of unplugged coding in
her mathematics classes.

Talk about 4IR causes anxiety
The value of this project is confirmed by the response from
teachers as well as educators who work in communities. All
the talk around the fourth industrial revolution causes anxiety
amongst teachers, learners and parents who are very aware
of their personal circumstances and the reality that they have Leaners playing TANKS
no access to computers and other expensive technologies.
Now they are exposed to coding through physical activities, Since the target impact group of this project is disadvantaged communities,
pen and paper exercises and games on mobile phones which we are dependent on corporate and private sponsors to either sponsor coding
are readily available. This impact of “Anxiety to Hope” has kits for schools or coding clubs situated within communities. We strongly believe
been acknowledged nationally and internationally. The that this is a CSI investment that has a direct impact on the career dreams of
highlight for the project was being selected by the Falling learners in our country. n
Walls movement in Berlin, Germany, as one of their winners
in the category of Future Education. Email: jean.greyling@mandela.ac.za

Learners playing the RANGERS game at Addo Elephant Park. Watch video here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ8wiLaifZ0)

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