FEDSAS E-Magazine

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TECH BUDGET 2021 THE CIO on the SGB SOLUTION PROVIDERS

TECHtalk August 2020 BUDGET 2021 It is budget time in most schools and if a great solution is not included in the budget you may miss the opportunity.

Compiled by:

2

Manager of the FEDSAS Centre for Technology

tech@fedsas.org.za

The Chief Information Officer may be the next portfolio you need as schools join the information technology era.

Riaan van der Bergh

Education Technology Manager – FEDSAS

The CIO on the SGB

3

SOLUTION PROVIDERS We showcase some of the corporate members in the FEDSAS Centre for Technology.

T

The FEDSAS Centre for Technology

Digital transformation:

Riaan van der Bergh

In this disrupted economy and world

During 2018 FEDSAS launched the FEDSAS het in 2018 die FEDSAS

FEDSAS Centre for Technology. Our Sentrum vir Tegnologie geloods. Ons aim is to give further value-added oogmerk is om waardevolle raad en service and advice to our member dienste aan ons lede skole te bied schools in the field of the sensible rakende die sinvolle aanwending en

we live in, we have seen very little disruption in the education sector.

Until now, that is. Five years of digital transformation took place over the last 6 months. It is said that change is very slow until it is sudden.

The biggest risk is that some role players may think things will return to an old version of normal. No-one could have predicted the disruption of

2020, but we have been using the phrase “NEW NORMAL” for the past two years. We even hosted a webinar titled “Normalise the abnormal” during June 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbesoTMDaok

Is there really something like a “new normal” or is it merely normal? Is it not just adapting to the situation we find ourselves in? Does anyone refer to a cell–phone-call as “new normal communication with a mobile device”?

No, it is merely a phone call, just more effective, efficient and convenient – and with a ring tone of your choice.

WE SHOULD...

use of technology in education. We gebruik van tegnologie in onderwys. wish to create a space on our online Ons aanlyn-platform is ‘n geskikte

Learn, TEACH, Manage and GOVERN as we live!

platform where service providers can plek waar diensverskaffers hulle showcase their solutions and where oplossings kan vertoon en waar lede

ONS MOET…

member schools can find solutions.

The FUTURE IS NOW if we look at the world around us.

We

should embrace the changes and utilize the tools and trades of our times to enhance education.

sinvolle oplossing kan navors. Die TOEKOMS IS NOU as ons na die wêreld om ons kyk. onsself

sinvol

hierdie

nuwe

Ons moet

posisioneer wêreld,

en

in die

praktyke en gereedskap van ons tyd

aanwend

leeruitkomste.

vir

beter

Leer, ONDERRIG, Bestuur en BEHEER soos ons leef!

1

Begroting|Budget 2021 Riaan van der Bergh

The budget for 2021 will not be without its

expenditure (salaries) more effective and

challenges.

would deliver the core business of learning

It may in fact be one of the

most uncertain times for an SGB to prepare

and teaching.

a budget.

The only certainty we have is

solutions free, some offer major savings if

that the world has changed dramatically

applied correctly but some are even created

and will keep changing. The pace of change

in such a way as to generate income for the

and the surprising nature of it has just

school or facilitate fundraising.

become more acute.

Technology

Schools

will

considerations.

be

faced At

with

various

the onset of

the

pandemic and school closures, Dr. Jaco Deacon, Deputy CEO of FEDSAS, advised schools to:

Die doel van hierdie tydskrif is om The purpose of this magazine is to

skole die geleentheid te gee om ons afford schools the opportunity to te kontak vir enige advies rakende contact us for any advice regarding tegnologiese aspekte tydens hierdie technology issues during this budget

•

Focus on core business

•

Return to the basics

•

Continue with schooling – school is closed but learning and teaching is open

A sharp pencil will be required as the school economy is, and will be, hit hard by the impact of COVID-19. Re-prioritising of expenditure has already taken place. The

begrotingstyd. Verder wil ons skole cycle. We further wish to showcase

budget in 2021 may very well be the first

blootstel aan die oplossings wat die the

year in many that schools will be reducing

solutions

korporatiewe lede van die Sentrum members

vir Tegnologie bied.

of

of the

the

corporate

Centre

for

Lede van die Technology. Members of the Centre

Sentrum het innoverende oplossings have quality solutions for schools, vir

skole,

is

maatskappye

en are companies and organisations

organisasies wat al ‘n geruime tyd in with a track record in the education die onderwyssektor werksaam is en sector and that can add value to the wat

waarde

kan

FEDSAS se lede.

toevoeg

tot FEDSAS members.

fees instead of increasing them.

If this is the case, how can we then look at acquiring products and services that we have not traditionally been spending money on. I say, it is exactly those elements that would save us money in the short and long term, that would make the bulk of our

Not only are some of the

newsletter

1

of

Our 2020

highlighted three areas to focus attention on for 2020. Before we were faced with the pandemic, we advised schools to obtain

solutions that addressed: 1.

Learner safety and security

2.

Load shedding and alternative power

3.

The economy – how to save or even generate income with some solutions.

If the economy was an issue before COVID19, then it is an acute issue for the 2021

budget. We may want to apply knowledge, experience and creativity when preparing the budget for 2021.

1

Begroot vir tegnologie| Budget for technology

Budget considerations:

registered mail using online solutions at a

… vervolg / continued

we add the cost of our cell phone to the 24month contract, we can acquire technology

big discount compared to the paper-based

with operational expenditure rather than

section

capital expenditure. Some of the benefits

Communication).

cash handling but looking at the cost of a cashless campus solution in isolation (d6

Capex vs Opex: In the same way that cashless).

include staying up to date with the latest developments as well as the ability to replace

aging

equipment

because

the

maar historiese spandering word nie

training.

altyd op ‘n nulgrondslag heroorweeg

important from a financial point of view but

Capex vs Opex: Soos ons deesdae nie. Kyk ook na die oneffektiwiteit van

if you save on a solution that doesn’t hit the

24 maande betaal, is dit ook ‘n opsie

hiervan

om tegnologiese toerusting maandeliks

kontanthantering teenoor die koste

te betaal eerder as eenmalig.

van ‘n kontantlose oplossing.

is

bankkoste

vir

The bang for buck is not just

Reconsider historic expenditure:

faktuurprys van ‘n toestel of oplossing

One also needs to apply the same sense of

nie. Kyk ook na kwaliteit, lewensduur,

is nie noodwendig die finale prys nie.

suspicion and scrutiny to historic spending

naverkoopdiens en opleiding.

Onderhoud

that gets carried forward and even consider

ander

a zero-based budget. Look at the potential

Heroorweeg

historiese oorwegings moet in berekening gebring

inefficiency included in historic spend. An

spandering:

Nuwe spandering is

soms baie moeilik om te regverdig,

word.

opgradering

en

considered.

BUDGET and VISION “Show me your budget and I’ll show you what you value” – Joe Biden.

vision – it should translate your vision

goedkoopste is nie altyd die beste opsie

bestuur,

service levels management cost, downtime,

wasted.

scrutinized very carefully, and rightfully so.

instandhouding,

Maintenance, upgrades,

Your budget should not support your

Die

en

is not the final cost of technology solutions

mark, the full amount of the expenditure is

It appears that new expenditure gets

Koste vs waarde vir geld: Die Koste van eienaarskap:

Cost of ownership: The invoice price

durability and other factors need to be

This is

quality, lifespan, after sale service and

‘n Voorbeeld

(Registered

Cost vs value for money:

cheapest is not always the best. Consider

daardie spandering.

letters

or equipment.

the budget and procurement process. The

selfone tesame met ons kontrakte oor

41

expenditure is budgeted for annually.

possibly one of the biggest pitfalls during

Begrotingsoorwegings:

Another could be the cost of

example of this may be ignoring the cost of

into action.

T

Tech Talk @ Two (on Tuesdays)

Tech Talk @ Two is the Centre for Technology webinar series. During these webinars we meet new solution providers, we look at innovation and industry development and we address the tech related questions and issues reported by our members. Be on the lookout for our published webinar schedule but be assured that there will be a valuable and relevant discussion or presentation EVERY

Tuesday @ Two.

Ons nooi ons lede uit om saam te kuier en deel te neem. Ons het onlangs met drie skole gesels oor aanlyn-ouervergaderings en e-verkiesings, en waardevolle vrae en antwoorde uit die gehoor gekry. Skakel gerus in - ELKE

Dinsdag @ Twee.

Online training, information sessions and time for Q&A. All of our Tech Talks @ Two are available on the FEDSAS YouTube channel.

2 The CIO|Die HIB

One of our key focus points in the Centre for Technology this year was the introduction of the CIO in a school environment. We are all very aware of all the Chief officers in business and the CIO has become one of the key players. We

Riaan van der Bergh

proposed that an SGB creates a portfolio with a person wearing the thinking cap of the CIO of the school. Schools are already dependent on various electronic systems that generate a wealth of data and information.

The dependence on

digital systems for financial management, administration, communication, reporting, classroom enrichment and others are already visible. Just look at what happens when the power goes off during the day when we do not need lights – it is then that we discover the power is not for us to see, but for us to be connected and

work.

The CIO is not only the chief information officer, but also the Chief Integration Officer and the Chief Innovation Officer. Schools easily abdicate the need for progress by saying that they are in a poor area, or, they are in a farming community and not the city, or, they are merely a primary school, or that the final paper is still PAPER. All that may be factual but not the whole truth. Innovation

Meeste van ons is vertroud met die effektief

te

bestuur

en

te

beheer,

Hoofbeamptes in groot maatskappye. Die tegnologie om leeruitkomste te verbeter, hoof

uitvoerende

beampte,

die

hoof tegnologie om die massa data wat ‘n skool

finansiële beampte en vele ander. Oor die versamel te hanteer en die sekuriteit en

is dearly needed in our society. Progress and new ways are not just

good for us, but recently got forced on us.

South Africa has a list of wonderful innovations that birthed here.

laaste aantal jare met die toename in veiligheid van daardie data. Inligting en tegnologie en inligtingstelsels het die rol inligtingstegnologie is op die voorgrond en van die Hoof Inligtingsbeampte (HIB)

‘n skool is nie geïsoleerd van die wêreld

ontstaan en gegroei. Daar is baie meriete waarin ons leef nie. daarin om ook hierdie rol in die skool omgewing te vestig as ‘n portefeulje op die SBL. Iemand moet die hoed dra en die denke rondom die sinvolle gebruik van tegnologie in skole op die tafel plaas. Dit behels tegnologie om die skool meer

Pay as you go Please call me Cat scan Coal to oil

Heart transplant Kreepy Krauly Pratley’s putty

ALL South African

Q20….

C COVID-19

“Pause or reset” Riaan van der Bergh

The only thing that we know with certainty is that

life is uncertain.

COVID-19 has truly changed the world as we knew it. Working from home (WFH), schooling from home but not home schooling, remote learning, online learning, continued learning and many other phrases and acronyms became part of our lives. I am still not sure what exactly “social distancing” means. The biggest impact may be in the fact that we realized that the future is not set in stone. Everything changes and can change at any time. The change should not surprise us, the speed of change is possibly something we never expected.

“I think, therefore I am” or is it “we txt thrfor we r”

Many companies are working from home and the future of work (FOW) is already being reconsidered by many.

For many of us, the hope of returning to yester-year still lingers. For others, it is clear that this is not a PAUSE, but a RESET. Status quo has been challenged and, in many instances, we found that the new way has many benefits alongside all the challenges. Meetings online, parliament online, court cases online and many others raised the questions on whether all the travelling was needed.

The RESET is not only due to COVID-19 but has already taken place in many areas of our lives – we just never realized that we have adapted to it earlier.

Hootsuite’s Digital 2020 report on South Africa reveals some interesting facts.

The report can be accessed here: https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2020south-africa

Should we rethink our business models?

How can we future proof our schools?

C COVID-19 FEDSAS resources for schools Riaan van der Bergh

When schools were forced into lock down learning at the beginning of April, the FEDSAS Centre for Technology produced various resources to assist schools with remote, continued and online learning. These resources can be found on the COVID-19 link on the FEDSAS website www.fedsas.org.za / https://bit.ly/39NlLN0 We designed a strategic planning discussion document that included a decision tree for planning a school’s response to lock down learning. The immediate problems were identified as: • • •

access to data and data costs (looks at the zero-rated resources), device availability and parent availability.

The first port or call was short term (crisis) management. We suggested that schools also look at solutions with long, or longer-term impact and benefits.

Schools started deploying online solutions like Microsoft Teams (See Microsoft and AVeS) as well as Google Classroom and others. The big winner in all this is:

The amount of teacher training and on the job experience gained.

Yes / Ja

This can never be undone. Like the Chinese saying goes – “you can never un-ring a bell”. The second place goes to the “make-a-plan” attitude and resilience of schools (SGB, SMT and educators) in this time. FEDSAS ran a snap survey to see how schools progressed in this time. Some of the results are on the opposite page.

Well done to our schools that put learning and teaching first – against the odds!

We, the people of South Africa,

W

We, the Digital people…

Riaan van der Bergh

Recognise: injustices of our past; Honour: those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land; Respect: those who have worked to build and develop our country; and Believe: that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity.

“Recognise, honour, respect and believe.” These are the strong words and verbs that introduce the preamble of our constitution.

The Latin root of recognise [re-cognoscere] can be translated with re- ‘again’ + cognoscere ‘learn’. Learning again or re-learning is changing our mindset and challenging status quo or “normal”. Looking at the Hootsuite report for mobile connectivity our region ranks highest. We are a very digital, mobile and connected people. Maybe we should recognise it.

sector is all about the future. We are teaching the class of 2030 and beyond from 2018. Most people born today will see the 22nd century. Are we looking enough towards the future? Should we still debate the sensible use of technology in education, or should we rather debate how to integrate it, expand access and use it to cross the digital divide? Digital citizenship is

not an option.

FEDSAS launched a Digital Citizenship campaign in 2014 and

“Believe” speaks to belief or faith. It birthed the Centre for Technology in speaks of the future or of what is to come. Education and the education

2018, looking towards the future and employing the tools of our age.

G

Governance – The King IV report Riaan van der Bergh

The fourth version of the King report on corporate governance (King IV) was published in 2016. As part of the 16 Principles of Good Governance, principle #12 deals with technology and information governance. The other element of risk management or governance that we are faced with during 2020 is that of FUTURE PROOFING your operations. Technology played a major role in the deployment of the continued learning at many schools during lock down.

FEDSAS and the FEDSAS Institute for School Governance, together with the IoDSA, developed a “Governance in Public Schools” guide. The guide is a valuable publication and an e-book can be purchased on the Snapplify reader platform.

Click on the booklet to buy it at snapplify.com

E

E-governance – AGM and Budget vote or by-election

Gegewe

die

huidige

bepalings

regulasies,

in

die tussenverkiesings

lyk

of

dit verkiesings in as ons in 2021

onwaarskynlik dat skole in 2020 onder

grendeltyd

steeds

vir die begroting gaan stem by die “sosiaal afstand hou”. algemene ons

jaarvergadering

gewoond

is.

soos Geen

vergadering of samekoms word tans toegelaat by die skool nie.

FEDSAS adviseer skole om evergaderings oorweeg.

en Kyk

stemme uit

vir

te ons

nuusbriewe en opleiding hieroor.

Ons het onlangs ‘n webinaar met With the current regulations for our newsletters and even

around social distancing in upcoming

training

in

this

ons HUB en Adj HUB hieroor

aangebied.

Dit sluit ook e-

place a budget vote at the regard. We recently hosted a annual general meeting is webinar about this topic with highly unlikely in the school our CEO and Deputy CEO. It hall. No gatherings to be held includes the option of an eon

the

campus

regulations

are

until

the vote for by-elections and even

amended. full elections if we are still in

FEDSAS is advising schools to lockdown during 2021. consider an e-meeting and budget vote. Please look out

volle

E-beheer: Algemene jaarvergadering Begroting e-vergaderings vir SBL e-besluite e-tussenverkiesings

moet

E E-Learn with FEDSAS Riaan van der Bergh

The FEDSAS Centre for Technology launched a new initiative during 2019. The FEDSAS E-learn platform is the ideal place for SGB members to do training in the comfort of their own homes. It is self paced, computer based and fits into the on-demand society we find ourselves in.

Die FEDSAS Sentrum vir Tegnologie is trots op die bekendstelling van die FEDSAS E-leer platform. Dit is in 2019 geloods en is die ideale plek vir SBL lede om op hulle eie tyd en in die gerief van hulle eie huise opleiding te ontvang.

More than 150 people have completed at least one of the three courses currently on offer. We are actively working on expanding our course offering and excited to announce that very soon the FEDSAS Hey Lead course will be available on the platform. The booklet will be in at least 4 languages with the launch.

The Introductory Governance Course is based on the FEDSAS publication “A practical guide to school governance�. This course is currently in English, but the booklet is AVAILABLE IN 11 LANGUAGES. The booklets are for sale at snapplify.com. Click on the image below:

#SchoolscapeIT2020 is an online summit by @SchoolAdvisorPosts showcasing top IT and edtech solutions that will inspire and equip schools. Come and see innovative IT solutions in action presented from real school classrooms and get the chance to chat to peers from other schools to see what IT solutions they have successfully implemented.

School heads, IT managers and teachers; join in on 18-20 August ‘20 to get on the front foot in edtech and technology solutions.

You’ll also get SACE points while you’re at it. Find out more & register (for free) đ&#x;‘‡ https://schoolscape.co.za/school-conferences/it-2020/?utm_source=FEDSAS&utm_medium=socialmedia&utm_campaign=schoolscape-it-2020-partner

Maya Angelou – American Poet

3 Solution providers Diensverskaffers

The Centre for Technology aims to find solutions in the education technology industry that would add value to schools and add value to our members.

In the next section the corporate members will showcase their solutions,

products and services. The contents that follows were provided by the members of the Centre for Technology.

Die Sentrum vir Tegnologie se mikpunt is om tegnologiese oplossings en diensverskaffers in die mark te ondersoek wat toepaslike oplossings vir skole bied.

In die afdeling wat volg stel die korporatiewe lede van die Sentrum vir Tegnologie hulle oplossings, produkte en dienste bekend. Die materiaal wat volg is verskaf deur die diensverkaffers en nie deur FEDSAS saamgestel nie.

3 Solution providers

There are three elements present when designing a solution. Unfortunately one can only choose two.

Diensverskaffers

Daar is drie kritiese elemente

The Centre for Technology has an array of members with varying services

om te oorweeg wanneer jy ‘n oplossing ontwerp of projek loods. Maar jy kan net twee kies. Vinnig en goedkoop is nie goed nie; vining en goed is nie goedkoop nie; en goed en goedkoop gaan stadig gebeur.

ranging from campus tech, office tech, classroom tech and home tech. We have Diamond, Gold and Silver memberships available as well as Friends of the Centre (NPO’s). All our service providers have a profile page on the Centre for

Technology website. Visit www.fedsastech.org.za and click on the ‘companies’ menu to view our members.

T h e M e m b e r s o f t h e C e n t r e f o r Te c h n o l o g y

Diamond

Gold ITS

D6 group Fortinet AVeS Yenza

Digicampus Microsoft Ukuvuna

CheckID Voting Crowd

RegCom JUSTIS Resolute Robotics SaveTNet

Silver / Friends Bravely SchoolCoding S2P TPN Credit Leap to Know E-Sports SA Scadsys CASE-SA MindUnique Snapplify

Die Sentrum vir Tegnologie het ‘n aantal lede met ‘n verskeidenheid dienste wat kampustegnologie, kantoortegnologie, klaskamertegnologie en tegnolgoie vir die huis insluit. Ons het Diamant, Goud en Silwer lede en ook Vriende van die

Sentrum (NOW’s). Om na die profiele van al ons lede te kyk, besoek die Sentrum

vir Tegnologie webwerf by www.fedsastech.org.za en kyk na die ‘companies’ opsie.

Introducing 2 new exciting features on the d6 Connect application...

Coming soon...

Be part of the Future of School Transportation Here’s a way your school can manage school transport bookings and help parents with ride-sharing in your own community plus be rewarded at the same time. d6 Rides, powered by Zipalong, connects parents that are making trips to and from school or activities with parents that are looking for a ride for their child. This happens within the safe d6 Connect environment. c Not only is there a financial benefit for the driver but for the school as well. Have a look at the video below and see how your school can become a pioneer in the future of school transportation or contact ladien@zipalong.co.za for more information.

Simply another way how d6 is helping schools to be more effet ive.

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Ja red Molko, Co- Found er a nd CEO, wa s em p loyee num b er 9 for Goog le South Afric a . He ha s worked for Goog le a c ross the g lob e, d riving a d op tion of d ig ita l p rod uc ts for em erg ing m a rkets. Ja red a lso hold s a Ma sters Deg ree in Ana lytic a l Psyc holog y. He is a n exp ert in Artific ia l Intellig enc e a nd ha s sp oken twic e on the TED sta g e a round future skills for the m od ern ec onom y.

Fa rrel Strul, Co- Found er a nd CFO, is a g ifted tea c her a nd m entor, a s well a s seria l entrep reneur. His orig ina l ed uc a tion b usiness, Fa st Ma ths, c ontinues to sup p ort, enric h a nd em p ower stud ents w ith hig h q ua lity m a ths c ontent 23 yea rs la ter. He ha s found ed severa l other ed uc a tion a nd Ed Tec h b usinesses over the p a st two d ec a d es, steering their suc c ess. Fa rrel hold s a Ba c helor of Business Sc ienc e Deg ree in Ec onom ic s a nd Fina nc e Honours from UCT.

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Securely Enable Remote Learning The ability to securely support a remote learning policy is a critical component of any continuity and disaster recovery plan. With schools being forced to implement online education at unprecedented scale and speed, the challenges being uncovered are numerous.

From creating course content to building an online learning infrastructure to ensuring that students, faculty, and other staff have remote access to that content and infrastructure can be a daunting task.

In addition to networking considerations, educational institutions should be prepared for the exponential growth in cyber-attacks and hackers who are all too willing to exploit the weaknesses and security gaps that often arise during such events. Unprepared students and faculty combined with unsecured systems can quickly become conduits for malware and malicious activity. According to the 2019 Verizon Data Breach Report, education continues to be plagued by human errors, social engineering, and denial of service attacks. Since time is of the essence, security must be an integral element of any remote learning strategy.

Key Elements of a Secure Remote Learning Environment As a start, students and faculty will require access to email, internet, teleconferencing, limited file sharing, and function-specific capabilities (e.g. HR) from their remote work site. Depending upon the individual institution, they might also require access to Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications in the cloud, such as Microsoft 365.

Finally, cybersecurity awareness is a critical element of any secure remote learning environment. Students and faculty should: • • • • •

Protect their passwords Keep their devices up-to-date Be able to recognize social engineering attacks Be wary of using open networks such as public WiFi networks Avoid third party technologies and applications not approved by the school

With a securely enabled remote learning environment, educational institutions will be one step ahead in providing secure access to critical learning resources while scaling to meet the demands of students and staff from day one.

Learn More For more information on Fortinet’s remote access solutions, visit our website or contact us at gpiggott@fortinet.com

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Maya Angelou – American Poet

In discussion with Charl Ueckermann, CEO of AVeS Cyber Security

Overcoming Remote Teaching/Learning Challenges With Governance

Q: Why is it important to wear a governance hat when planning a school’s budget?

A: Well, schools generally h have very tig t budgets, and they need to do the almost impossible with the budgets they have available. When every rand counts, schools’ governing bodies, h principals and IT staff a ve to be clear on what is fitfor-purpose for their school. Governance can give guidance on which skills, processes and technologies they need to operate effectively iand efficen tly. There are a few tried-andtested IT governance frameworks, like COBIT 2019, that can help you n ask those types of questios . W h a t’s more, is what is right for one school might not be right for another school in the same neighbourhood. So, wearing a governance hat to plan with your school’s requirements in mind, and not n a specifict echnology solutio, is cruc i al . Thi s hel p s to align the tools schools choose (technology) with what they need to achieve (organisatio n al obj ectiv es) over the long term. Don’t start running without n knowing where you’re going.

Q: Where does the leadership for digital transformatio n come from in g a school settin?

A: Digital transformatio n doe s not happen haphazardly; to succeed, it needs solid t leadership from the school’s governing body that then fil ers down to the school’s principal, viceprincipal, and teachers. Just like companies have CIOs (Chiefr Informatio n Of fice s) who advise their Board of Directors, so too can schools’ governing bodies benefitfr om CIO advisors who help them set up a digital transformatio n r oadmap.

Through the FEDSAS network, schools can even get some of these CIO Advisory services for free, or at discounted prices.

•

Get started with distance learning: A focused learning environment isn’t easy to achieve away from the physical classroom. Microsoft e s her e t o support multimdi a online experiences that keep educators, students, and families connected. n

Q: How does a solutio lik e Bring Your Own School support schools’ full remote teaching and learning needs for the foreseeable future?

A: Well, Bring Your Own School can be tailored to suit a school’s digital readiness levels, which will depend on where they are in their digital transformatio n jour ne y.

Some are onlyg startin t o think about or implement remote learning now (because they have to). Bring Your Own School addresses some of the key technical stumbling blocks ofggettin g a school oper atin onl ine, r emotely: IT governance (e.g. we give schools a free remote ITs diagnostic assessment, discuss the report with them and provide them gwith an IT Security policy as a startin poi n t), and can implement the technology to facilitate remote teaching/ learning (free Microsoft O f fice365 l icences f or teachers and students) securely e (free Kaspersky for Offic 365 licenc es for the school for the first six months, as well as significant discounts to other security software). i

•

Shiftig t o distance learning: A 5-day guide for school leaders.

•

Tips to Gettin g St arted with Remote Learning in Office 365 (with learning distance resources).

•

Distance learning with Office 365: Guidance for parents and guardians.

AVeS Cyber Security is an IT Governance & Architectural services consultancy who works with schools and businesses l e on instiling Con fidnc e in thei r Di gi t al Informatio n . Fi nd them a t https://aves.co.za.

Here are some useful resources for governing bodies from Microsoft:

Refer to the following two pages for shareable/ downloadable resources for teachers and students to use.

•

How to guide: How to Use Teams for schoolwork when bandwidth is low (tips for teachers and students)

•

A shareable social n media card: How about sending a message to a friend/ teachers/parent/principal to show appreciatio f or the fantasticwo r k the y’re doing?

Maya Angelou – American Poet Brought to you by the A-Team at

Visit Microsoft’s Family Learning Centre for age-appropriate ideas on learning together with your child Engage your family for an hour or more with these safe and simple, family-led learning experiences for ages 3 to 12. This in collectio of ,fr ee activties cur ated n out of educatioal resources from around the world, encourages families to Learn, Do e and Share.

Enjoy some tim t ogether! You’re doing great!

Even more family tools, resources, and help are here.

Want to share your appreciatio n ?

Here’s a social media card that you can share with a teacher, parent or student.

Download a shareable version of the social media card Download a shareable version of the phone background

Brought to you by the A-Team at

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Build accessibility into studying and coursework

Create truly inclusive learning environments Collaborate inclusively. Microsoft Teams unites remote learning tools in one hub and promotes engagement through text, voice, and video—plus accessibility features and compatibility with assistive technologies like screen readers.

Provide captions and transcription. Host remote lectures with Stream and PowerPoint, using PowerPoint Live for easy access and subtitles. Translation for lecture subtitles, meeting captions, and Teams chat eliminates language barriers.

Create accessible resources. Leverage built-in checkers in Office 365 to make sure PowerPoint presentations, documents, emails, and other materials are accessible for all students, including alt text for people who are blind.

Offer accessible virtual labs. Azure Lab Services provides inclusive, easily scalable labs in the cloud so that you can continue offering hands-on learning remotely—expanding labs to students unable to access physical labs.

Meet standards more easily. Supported by Microsoft’s broad set of compliance offerings, adhere to accessibility standards more quickly with tools like Accessibility Insights, which automatically checks for WCAG issues on websites.

Enable better learning outcomes with built-in accessibility features. From reading tools that help the 15% of people who have dyslexia 5 to the Seeing AI App that aids people who are blind or low-vision, Microsoft is committed to supporting all learners.

Make reading and writing inclusive. Learning Tools, including Immersive Reader, enable students to customize text size and color, understand sentences through grammar highlighting, and activate text-to-speech or dictation.

Empower focus. Help students focus by reducing animations and turning off background images in Windows 10, or even have documents read aloud in Microsoft Edge. Focus Assist turns off notifications for email and chat.

Give students built-in accessibility. Students can use the Ease of Access center to change content size, apply color filters, and more across the whole operating system—tailoring Windows to their individual needs.

Enable easy lecture study. Students can review searchable lecture transcripts generated automatically by Stream, so that they can revisit specific topics by typing in key words. Students who use transcripts have increased test scores by 8%.6 Provide intuitive homework tools. Students can get automatic writing help through AI-powered tool Microsoft Editor or brainstorm outlines with PowerPoint QuickStarter. Research is easier with Smart Lookup and automatic citations.

Additional Resources • Accessibility Learning Webinar Series • Accommodations by Category • AI for Accessibility • Connect with an Accessibility Expert • How Microsoft Approaches Workplace Inclusion • Microsoft Disability Answer Desk 1. The World Bank 2. McGraw Hill 3. Educause 4. NCSER 5. The Reading Well 6. Microsoft

Learn more about how Microsoft empowers students to achieve more with the built-in accessibility tools and features in Microsoft technologies.

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Maya Angelou – American Poet

E Education Data

Extract from a blog on SchoolAdvisor: https://blog.schooladvisor.co.za/do-schools-have-to-use-sa-sams/

(An interview on the compulsory (or not) use of SA-SAMS with Riaan van der Bergh) He explains that the CEM (Council of Education Ministers – MEC’s from all provinces) took a decision that SA-SAMS is the single source for reporting which has caused

School Administration Management System

confusion. This does not prescribe the use of SA-SAMS but rather the reporting format, content and structure of the data to be reported. We should not confuse the need for data in the SA-SAMS format with the use of SA-SAMS to produce the format. A school has a legal obligation to be compliant in their reporting but SA-SAMS, as a system, is not legally enforceable.

(SAMS)

He simplifies this further by saying SA-SAMS as a collective noun means one of three of the following:

…What does the law say?

•

The tool to be used by schools as an operational system to help manage the school (Also referred to as a SAMS – School administration management system). This

Data

gedrewe

besluitneming

is weergawe

van

SA-SAMS

is

kardinaal vir beplanning en toedeling ontoereikend en het die einde van sy van hulpbronne. Een van die grootste rakleeftyd bereik.

could be called the “typewriter” on which work is done.

•

levels. This is the FORMAT in which the reporting should take place. This can be

Die DBO is tans

called the “letter or report” produced by the typist on any typewriter in a specific

voordele van inligtingstegnologie is die besig om te werk aan die modernisering omvang van die data wat versamel daarvan. word

en

die

waarde

wat

Tans is dit egter nie ’n

The Data structure to mirror when reporting data to the Department at various

format and with specific content.

•

The collection of individual schools’ data stored in the data warehouse now in

daaruit verpligte stelsel vir skole om te gebruik

existence in all provinces, except for Western Cape. This could be called the “file” in

voortspruit met analise en ontleding nie maar vir meeste provinsies is die

which all reports are now being housed in order to mine the data on a collective

daarvan. Rappertering op skool vlak en datastruktuur

basis. Specification of format and requirements for content is thus crucial in order

van

SA-SAMS

die

to have a global view of aggregated data.

ook op provinsiale en nasionale vlak formaat waarin die data verskaf moet

kan ‘n groot rol speel in die bestuur van word.

party

He concluded his update to say that the discussion around data should morph from

Edupac,

mere compliance reporting to the Department with no perceived value to the schools to

data versamel en gerapporteer moet Saspac, Scadsys, Staffroom en ander

the value of data for day to day management and improvement of the local school.

word nie maar of die enigste sagteware resorteer is steeds ‘n toelaatbare en

[Riaan is also the independent chairperson of the Education Data Forum (EDF) which

die sektor.

Sogenaamde

Die debat is nie OF daar verskaffers

waaronder

derde d6,

hiervoor SA-SAMS moet of mag wees. geldige opsie vir skole om te gebruik.

Die debat duur voort en die huidige

is

a

forum

for

various

(https://www.fedsas.org.za/Technology/20114/)]

Third

Party

suppliers

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Maya Angelou – American Poet

I IR 4.0 Why buy hand sanitiser dispensers when learners can build their own?

Resolute Robotics

We recently hosted a webinar with the Resolute team. Practical advice on implementing coding and robotics at your school.

SaveTNet Click on the play button on the left for English

Klik op die speel knoppie regs vir Afrikaans

Maya Angelou – American Poet

www.ElectronicSport.Africa (ESA) is your definitive Gaming and Esport platform built by a team made up of entrepreneurs, technologists, passionate gamers, and experienced industry partners.

ESA at its core is an online Tournament Management Platform with built in Social Networking tools.

ESA is the entry point for your school to connect to the world of Online Gaming and Esports.

Our support ranges from competitive Online Video Games, Competitive Robotics (Lego & Vex), Virtual Drone Racing and Online Chess.

Let us help bring this 21st century sporting phenomenon to you and your students with our easy to use, affordable online platform.

ESA will help you and your school activate, adopt, and compete during this tough economic and socially distant time.

Esports can be done from the comfort of your own home and the most wonderful part is that it is for everyone no matter how young or old, big or small, male or female, disabled or abled, there is always something for everyone.

ESA provides a safe environment with cyber security features and reporting for all users.

ESA prides itself as a thought leader using Esports as a vehicle for education transformation and building the ecosystem towards building capacity that speaks to the SDGs, NDP and 2030 Vision.

Think of ESA as a digital Curriculum Vitae for its users that show achievement through participation and time spent building their digital capacity.

ESA provides Schools and Parents a place that their children can responsibly engage with one another doing what they love most, whilst maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

Our Ethos is that of Respect while we promote a winning and growth mindset.

For a live demonstration and consultation please email ryan@a-esa.org or sign up your school directly www.electronicsport.africa or visit our Education Portal www.a-esa.org

Maya Angelou – American Poet

F FEDSAS Online - Webinars In 2018 FEDSAS Online had its humble beginning where one provincial manager had contact with a “webinar host” and started managing provincial council meetings online and also meetings with principals and chairpersons.

Our schedule for 2018 of 32 attracted 1654 attendees. In 2019 - we have hosted 77 webinars - attracting 2502 attendees. By mid July 2020 we have hosted 78 sessions facilitating 9595 attendees.

The average live attendee per session has moved from 51 per session to 123 per session. This excludes persons who have attended via Facebook live or who have viewed the content after the live sessions . The largest webinar to date - attracted 940 attendees live - with an additional unknown number of “Facebook Live and Post event viewers”.

The information brought through to our schools has been seen as valuable and needed. We have always provided relevant, detailed guidance in short “bite-size pieces” to develop efficiencies and functionality of school governing bodies.

An early response to our webinars - in August 2018 is seen in this message below : Thank you Paul, As a first timer to webinars and FEDSAS training, I found it user friendly, practical, easy access to valuable information and all the rest of the positives. I am looking forward to being part of future webinars and will surely encourage my colleagues to join me. Please keep me posted.

Enjoy the long weekend coming up!

Kind regards Janet du Bois Learner Support Coordinator Rhenish Primary School

In addition to webinars, we have moved on to hosting our provincial council meetings , staff training sessions, staff development sessions and general staff meetings .

The Lord truly blessed FEDSAS with putting this concept in our path, as the conversion to online functionality has indeed been a more simpler task than would have been without the 2 years “development” in this tech-space!

For the future? We are looking at Virtual school and parent meetings, electronic SGB election processes, possibly school conferences and furthering our online SGB training.

We are exploring ways of “upping the human contact” through online interaction.

DigiComm Facilitation Efficient communication solutions

Having problems communicating with your staff, parents, or pupils?

With everything that is going on in South Africa, and the rest of the world in the past 6 months, it has been harder to meet up in groups and have discussions, meetings or conferences with a large number of people. This includes having meetings with parents and pupils at our schools, and with important meetings coming up, such as budget meetings and annual general meetings, it has been a worry as to how schools will communicate with their stakeholders. However, DigiComm Facilitation has a solution for you.

DigiComm Facilitation has been hosting, facilitating and managing online meetings for the past 3 years and has gained valuable experience in the best practice of managing successful webinars and online meetings. DigiComm Facilitation offers services that help you communicate better online.

From meetings, where everyone can discuss the topic, to webinars, which can reach a bigger audience. We cover every aspect that normally happens in face to face meetings. If you need to vote on something, we can organise a poll, which can easily be counted right there on the spot, no need to stay later and count slips of paper.

Questions from participants, raised through the chat box will be arranged by DigiComm Facilitation to allow the presenter to address them at the end of the session. Participants can also “raise their hand” and ask a question live. If the presenter has a presentation that needs to be shown, the presentation can be shared and it will be shown on each participant’s device, as the presenter goes through their content.

There are many added advantages of hosting your meeting online, rather than at a venue. There is no limit to the number of people that can attend, whereas a face-to-face meeting may be limiting depending on the size of the venue. Transport to and from the venue is also eliminated, the participants can attend the meeting from the comfort of their homes. Many parents do not attend meetings, due to work commitments or other obligations which need to be attended to. With online meetings, we can send a recording of the whole meeting which parents can view in their own time.

DigiComm Facilitation has hosted parents’ meetings, school assemblies and other school related meetings, and have found the number of participants surpassed the number of attendees that schools had at similar face-to-face meetings in the past. DigiComm Facilitation has all the necessary expertise to help you get the best experience from your online meetings.

For more information contact: Megan Rencken Director: Operations Manager meganr.dcf@gmail.com 078 434 6792

Paul Rencken Director: Facilitation Manager paulr.dcf@gmail.com 082 493 5263

Maya Angelou – American Poet

COVID-19: Wisdom from “The Duck”

Ons is oornag uitgedaag met ongewone omstandighede.

Die Japanese woorde vir “krisis” en

”g e l e e n t h e i d ” v e r s k i l n e t m e t e e n l e t t e r. ‘ n K r i s i s i s v o l g e n s d i e oorspronklike Latyns ook ‘n rigtingveranderende of bepalende besluit.

Ons huidige krisis kan vir ons ongelooflike geleenthede

ontsluit

as ons wakker en innoverend genoeg is. Moet nooit ‘n goeie krisis onderbenut laat nie.

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Maya Angelou – American Poet

www.school2parent.co.za Email: admin@school2parent.co.za Tel: 079 749 3519

www.school2parent.co.za

admin@school2parent.co.za Tel: 079 749 3519

S2P is a software programme specifically developed for schools to observe and record learners’ Scholastic Performance and Social Behaviour. Such observations are captured in the school’s records and reported to parents via the S2P App or a sms message. The school has online access to the complete record of each learner, category and/or period. are formulated as a pre-determined list of options in 4 main categories: • • • • •

Scholastic performance; Social well-being; Emotional development; Ethical values displayed, plus Incident reporting

The S2P programme can be adjusted for home schooling to be equally effective with parents observing and recording their children at home and forward such feed back to the school.

S2P makes every evening a parents evening…

Structured Record System of Children's Progress and Behaviour as Observed at School S2P is a software programme for schools, supported by the S2P App, to create and maintain a structured record system of children's progress and behaviour at school. This record will follow the child throughout his/her school career.

The structured recording, based on predetermined and formulated responses (messages), consist of positive/complimentary messages ("green messages") and messages of concern/early warning signals ("orange messages"). Teachers are able to create a report/message from their personal devices, i.e. smartphone or tablet, in the convenience of their own time. This saves time and protect teachers against adverse social media responses.

S2P empowers the school to record and report to parents, on all observations and ensure parents are informed of all such observations and parents have the opportunity to initiate a partnership with the school for pro-active support and guidance to their children.

Reports and Data/Statistics Schools have access to a variety of reports from the S2P programme and may choose different options to create own statistics and/or data for record and planning purposes. S2P is a comprehensive digital paperless record system supporting 4IR goals.

Maya Angelou – American Poet

Technology: How to restore a healthy balance and happiness Technology is keeping many societies functioning during the lockdown. Even though physical contact with other humans is limited, we can at least still talk to and ‘see’ our friends and family, celebrate our birthdays online, and keep our children learning (if you are fortunate enough to have a laptop and internet connection at home).

However, technology also has a downside: If we spend too much time in front of screens, our physical and mental health is affected, and we could become addicted to technology. This reality has become the elephant in the room.

Elephants in the room are those things that we all are aware of, but we choose not to talk about them. Like children who have become too dependent on technology to keep them entertained and who do not get enough exercise or sleep or creative downtime.

Let me ask you this: Have you noticed that your child is fine when he is front of a screen, but otherwise he is struggling to pay attention when you talk, can’t finish a task, can’t sit still, doesn’t like to talk to you, doesn’t make eye contact, is lazy to be active and has a bad posture?

Did you know that these symptoms are not also directly associated with Electronic Screen Syndrome (ESS) and different levels of technology or screen addiction, but also ADHD or autistic-like symptoms? In fact, it may even include Electro-hypersensitivity (EHS).

We live in techno-immersed world, but balance is essential for health and happiness.

The sooner you start paying attention to how the overuse of technology impacts your family, the sooner you can start making the necessary changes. Don’t let the short-term gains become your long-term pain and sorrow!

I want to help you with restoring your child and family’s healthy balance and happiness in the natural world without the overuse of technology and social media. You must become free and wise to make the right choices and not be enslaved by it. I customise and give you practical solutions according to your needs and age of your child(ren).

Make an appointment today to help you: to establish imbalances in your child’s brain and body through a health assessment re-activate and rebalance your child’s brain and body replace screen activities with healthy, integrated brain and body activities regain joy and happiness in the natural and balanced way of living.

Don’t wait until it’s too late!

CALL today: 083 456 3505 or send an email: info@technolifewise.org Dr. Marlena Kruger (marlena@mindunique.co.za) Director: TechnoLife Wise Foundation and MindUnique Education.

Maya Angelou – American Poet

FEDSAS TECH in the NEWS

CASE-SA: Porn-Proofing WHY video: https://youtu.be/B0c-LyDUJyQ How videos: Porn-proofing video https://youtu.be/6ZQShEnEEPs #ParentTalk video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VLe1EQ4vuc

Web page: https://case-sa.org/pornproof/

Maya Angelou – American Poet

WWW.FEDSAS.ORG.ZA For the most comprehensive website on school governance visit the FEDSAS website Vir die mees omvattende skoolbeheer webwerf besoek die FEDSAS webtuiste.

This publication was compiled by Riaan van der Bergh, FEDSAS Centre for Technology. Some pictures borrowed from the internet and all service provider content provided by the service provider.