Training development for teachers and learners
Professional Development Modules
Optimi Classroom makes Professional Development for teachers easy with SACE-endorsed training and short courses that allow educators to earn valuable CPTD points. Our courses aim to empower educators to make informed decisions about their 21st-century teaching.
These training courses blend proven classroom practises with modern learning sciences techniques. focus on brain-based learning techniques, that train educators to teach 21st centuary learners to understand and improve literacy and numeracy as well as critical thinking skills.
Caps & E-learning
E-learning is a vital component of the future of education. If we hope to effectively implement it, we must have a proper understanding of its methodology. Often CAPS is perceived as being closed off to innovation, but the National Curriculum Statement Grades R-12 states that it aims to produce learners that can:
- Identify and solve problems
- Effectively use science and technology
- Make decisions using critical and creative thinking
- Work effectively as individuals and members of a team
- Collect, analyse, organise, and critically evaluate information
- Communicate effectively using visual, symbolic, and language skills
- Critically show responsibility towards the environment and the health of others
- Responsibly and effectively organise and manage themselves and their activities
- Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation
This course aims to address the above in creating a better understanding of the relationship between CAPS and e-learning.
Duration: 3 hours
SACE endorsed: 5 CPTD Points
21st Century Learning
The ITSI 21st-Century Learning module is built on a foundation of the four Cs:
- Create
- Collaborate
- Critical Thinking
- Communication
Each one of the Cs is as important as the next. It has become mandatory to properly prepare our learners for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in which they live. During the course, we explain each of these key skills and give context to their implementation in an educational environment, empowering educators to ensure better learner outcomes.
Duration: 3 hours
SACE endorsed: 10 CPTD Points
21st Century Student
Technology has and continues to change the way that we communicate, which has resulted in dramatic changes to the way learners learn and interpret the world. This means that, while there’s always been a noticeable generation gap between teachers and students, the gap is getting bigger.
Defining generational characteristics promises to be valuable for the 21st-century. Many industries such as marketing, retail and education have benefited from these generational definitions to market their products correctly or to design products that will attract the right customer. This is equally important in an educational context, where methodologies need to be designed and adapted to suit the generation that will be educated. This discussion will focus on generation Z, with reference to generation Y (millennials) where relevant.
Duration: 3 hours
SACE endorsed: 10 CPTD Points
21st Century Educator
In a world where everything is smart and connected educators and education are affected by the development of technology as much, if not more than students are. Technology permeates our everyday lives and the classroom is no exception. But how does an educator prepare to integrate technology into teaching effectively, how do they ensure the educational value is not overshadowed by tech?
The 21st-century Educator module assists educators by discussing the key competencies they require as well as how to critically evaluate different models while planning lessons. Effective lesson planning is key!
Duration: 3 hours
SACE endorsed: 10 CPTD Points
Flipped Classroom
A flipped classroom is a type of blended learning that ‘flips’ the traditional classroom environment with the type of learning typically conducted as homework. The Flipped Classroom methodology ‘flips’ linear teaching structures to redesign classroom time. By ‘flipping’ said structures, more time becomes available for collaborative learning in the classroom.
With a stream of new research and technologies continuously entering the field of education, the flipped learning model is ever-changing and innovative. Successful flipped learning experiences aren’t necessarily technology-dependent, they can be practiced even with the bare classroom essentials.
Before embarking on a flipped classroom approach, it’s important that educators have a solid understanding of the balance between face-to-face interaction and independent study. This module addresses the current flipped classroom developments and its practical implications in a 21st-century classroom.
Duration: 3 hours
SACE endorsed: 10 CPTD Points
Presentation Tools
Microsoft PowerPoint can greatly support educators’ learning initiatives, engage your learners and bring excitement to the classroom. In this module, we teach the fundamentals of PowerPoint presentation design and the concepts and functions that enable quality learning experiences.
Topics covered include:
- Enhancing slides
- Effectively structuring class time
- Merging text, graphics, and sound
- Illustrating concepts with multimedia
- Efficiently organising and reorganising information
Duration: 2 hours
SACE endorsed: 5 CPTD Points
Implementing E-learning
Implementing e-learning in a classroom can be a leap of faith or a seamless integration, depending on who you ask. The key to a seamless integration of e-learning into your teaching lies in a good understanding of the implications of the process.
ITSI’s Implementing E-learning course uses examples of previous lesson plans to explore how e-learning has been implemented in different contexts in the past, and how to improve going forward.
Duration: 3 hours
SACE endorsed: 10 CPTD Points
Change Management
Change is a process, and not often a preferable one. It does not, however, need to be an obstacle. The aim of this course is to highlight the opportunities that arise from necessary and valuable change.
The ITSI course on change management provides you with the theory and practical tools to streamline your change process. During this course, we will explore the science of change and understand the theory of keeping your school healthy during the change process. This theory is supplemented with practical tools in the form of a change agent checklist and communication matrix to help you plan for the future. The course concludes with some thoughts on the function and timing of training followed by success stories of schools who have enhanced the way they teach.
Duration: 8 hours
SACE endorsed: 10 CPTD Points
Blended Learning
Blended learning combines traditional educator-led classes with technology-mediated ones. While students still attend physical schools, a blended method means that they also get some control over the time and place of sections of their instruction.As blended learning is also used in professional development and training settings, the knowledge attained in this module can be applied in many learning environments.
Duration: 3 hours
SACE endorsed: 10 CPTD Points
Teaching for
Brain-Based Learning
Teaching for Brain-Baed Learning course was designed to accompany the Learning Hacks course for students. This will empower educators to use brain-based teaching methods to ensure optimal learning environment for their students. It then reinforces understanding by active learning strategies. The course is empowering and motivational and can be applied in most class environments.
Duration: 5 hours
SACE endorsed: 10 CPTD Points
Learning hacks
Brain-based study methods for learning
- Understand your magnificent brain
- Improve your study methods
- Take charge of your own learning
- Study more effectively and get better results
- Learn why certain methods work and others not
Learning hacks is available for
- Students Grades 4-12
- Parents understand their child’s brain and learning process to assist their children with learning
- Educators who want to learn how to incorporate brain-based learning in their classes.
10 habits
The 10 Habits of Successful Learners programs available for Grade 4 – 12 learners is an innovative programme that contains five video sessions and a workbook for learners! The 10 Habits course aims to help learners offset any COVID-19 learning blocks, improve their marks, and reach their full academic potential while preparing them for an exciting future!
This programme includes:
- Five video sessions
- A workbook for learners
- An optional manual for parents
- Available in English and Afrikaans
- Downloadable on a cell phone or computer
Why would you wait to empower your children? Enrol them today. Even better, register for the Family Pack. Watch the five ten-minute video’s on your cell on how to provide optimum support to your children. You will never regret it.
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