2011 Cog Ed Seminars

Only two Cog Ed Seminars were organized during 2011 as IACESA hosted a very successful conference in February 2011.  Bishops Preparatory School provided the venue and teas for both seminars and IACESA appreciates the assistance of Mr Chris Groom in this regard.

Seminar 1, on 17 August 2011, was presented by Mrs Genevieve Koopman, Director of General Education and Training from the Office of the Directorate of the Curriculum. The presentation ‘Thinking about CAPS’ focused on the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement that will replace all previous curriculum documents. Mrs Koopman managed to highlight the main changes that CAPS will bring about in the next few years in a very lively manner. She emphasized that it has been a long process to get to CAPS and that the voice of teachers has been incorporated in the changes.  CAPS will bring about a more structured and streamlined curriculum, but it has many implications that teachers will have to think about.

Peter de Lisle, was the presenter at Seminar 2, on 17 October 2011.  Peter is currently responsible for curriculum development and innovation at Hilton College and in 2010 he was awarded second runner up prize in the content category of the Worldwide Innovative Education Forum.  Peter’s presentation, ‘Thinking with Computers’, focussed on an exploration and practical demonstration of a constructivist approach to using ICT tools, some offline and some online/web 2.0 based, to integrate Habits of Mind and other thinking skills into the curriculum to create academically relevant and engaging learning experiences. Many seminar participants realized how little they knew about ICT tools and the potential value of using these tools, to develop thinking skills, was highlighted.

IACESA would like to thank all Cog Ed Seminar participants for their interest and attendance during 2011.

Estelle Brettenny

IACESA Board Member

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Cog Ed Seminar 2 - Thinking With Computers

Its almost time for our next Cog Ed Seminar which takes place on 17 October 2011.


The title for the seminar is "Thinking with Computers" which should be of great interest to all of us trying to incorporate the use of computers and technology into our teaching methods and therapy sessions. The seminar will be presented by Peter de Lisle from Hilton College. We are looking forward to his presentation and discussions to follow!


Seminar details:

Thinking with Computers 

Date:      17 October 2011


Time:      7:00 - 8:30 / 9:00 pm
              Registration from 6:30 pm


Venue:    Jagger Hall
               Bishops Prep School
               Fir Road             
               Rondebosch

If you haven't done so already... book now!

Welcome

Welcome to the first post of our IACESA blog! 

The International Association for Cognitive Education in Southern Africa (IACESA) is the first and leading organization in Southern Africa devoted to cognitive education. This not for profit organisation has come a long way since it started in 1994. Cognitive education is a means to enhance and develop critical, creative and caring thinking at all ages. Research in the field of cognitive education suggests that most people can become more effective at thinking and learning if they are made aware of their thinking processes and taught how to expand and manage them. Cognitive educators teach learners of all ages how the mind works with respect to thinking and learning and how to use this knowledge to maximize their learning. IACESA promotes and supports this process.

What a year it has been for IACESA. Our conference in February 2011 "Thinking Schools - The Journey" was very successful and insightlful. It prompted the development of Thinking Schools South Africa, the new not for profit company that will guide and support schools in SA towards a whole school ethos of thinking. 


Our Cog Ed Seminars have grown over the years. With the introduction of CAPS into our South African Schools next year, it was a great opportunity to have Genevieve Koopman, Directorate of the Curriculum Development Office of the WCED, come to speak to us and provide us with useful insight into the new era of our curriculum. 

Our next Cog Ed Seminar will be on 19 October. Book now to ensure your spot!