Inspired Teachers Conference

On the 27th of March 2014, Seartec had the privilege of representing the SHARP interactive whiteboard and scientific calculators at the Inspired Teachers Conference. This conference aimed to inspire teachers in their everyday teaching to make and difference and reach ever higher with their students.

The program was jam-packed with different exciting speakers and teachers.

There was a panel discussion on the what a classroom of the future should look like and how the technology could be used. Another panel discussion looked at how we could change or “fix” our South African schools, while a third panel discussion was held about chaanging the way we teach to become more engaging. There was a play on school violence and how it affects different people. Finally students hosted the final panel in which they were asked what an ideal school would look like.

One of the other exhibtors was the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).

They teach students about the stock exchange and how it works. They also run a yearly competition where students form teams and invest virtually in the Johannesburg Stock exchange. It is an interesting and challenging competition – the winners are those who make the most money from the stock exchange and there are cash prizes for the students, the school AND the Teacher who mentored the team! Pupils from grade 8 to 11 are invited to enter the competition and the cost per team is R120. It is a fantstic way to apply knowledge learned from Economic Management Sciences, Maths, Maths Lit and Accounting to the real world. For more information and to register teams please go to schools.jse.co.za

Another exhibitor was the Education Labour Relations council.

Teachers who have a dispute with their school can approach the council for help. They essentially mediate between the teacher and the school. To find out more about them go to www.elrc.org.za/

Teachers came away from the conference feeling inspired and excited about teaching. The exciting news is that there will be an Inspired Teachers Conference hosted in Cape Town in August this year. Look out for more information later on this year.