Teach-the-Brain http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums en Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:57:56 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg Teach-the-Brain http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums KZN reaches out to matrics http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1706&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:14:50 GMT Durban – The KwaZulu-Natal Education Department will distribute more study guides in a bid to assist matric learners prepare for their final exams,...

More South Africa Education ... ]]> SA Education News Feed Newsroom http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1706 Motivated students can apply for bursary http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1705&goto=newpost Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:21:13 GMT Pretoria – The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality has extended its arm to students who want to further their studies but do not have the financial...

More South Africa Education ... ]]> SA Education News Feed Newsroom http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1705 Better access to schools for the disabled http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1704&goto=newpost Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:43:27 GMT Pretoria - All new schools being built by government should be accessible to children with disabilities, says Minister for Women, Children and...

More South Africa Education ... ]]> SA Education News Feed Newsroom http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1704 FETs must improve their output http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1703&goto=newpost Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:30:14 GMT Johannesburg – Further Education and Training (FET) colleges must be radically overhauled so that they can become colleges of choice for school leavers while providing quality foundation programmes with particular focus on maths and science. This is according to Education and Training Minister... Johannesburg – Further Education and Training (FET) colleges must be radically overhauled so that they can become colleges of choice for school leavers while providing quality foundation programmes with particular focus on maths and science.

This is according to Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande, who said they would need to widen the scope and see the challenges facing the FET sector, as part of a multifaceted process to revamp and rejuvenate the entire post schooling and training system.

“We cannot deal with the colleges in isolation from the challenges in the rest of the education system,” Ndzimande said at the FET College Summit on Friday.

The summit brings together education expects with the view to improve the status and effectiveness of the FET which has been characterised by low pass rates, poor planning and financial mismanagement.

South Africa has about 50 of these state-funded colleges and government has for years struggled to revitalise the system, despite spending R1.5 billion on the colleges between 2006 and 2008, upgrading everything from teaching skills to workshops and laboratories.

Nzimande told the gathering that the overhaul of this FET system is non-negotiable and the summit will look at finding concrete solution to these problems.

The department intends to increase enrolment from 400 000 to one million by 2015. It will also finalise a national policy outlining the minimum entry requirements to university study requiring the national vocational certificate offered at colleges, said Ndzimande.

He explained that particular focus will be placed on improving governance and management capacity, as well as training of college lecturers and improving the skills of existing lecturers through universities and industry.

The minister, who will take over the sector education and training authorities (Setas), mentioned that he wants experienced workers without matric, or matriculants without exemptions, to study at universities.

He said there was a need to recognise prior learning for adults without formal university entrance qualifications to enter higher education institutions.

FET colleges must be accessible to both youth and adults, he said, adding that they are well positioned to contribute to the acute middle–levels skills crisis.

“Increased access to FETs would have the social benefit of including young people currently not in education, employment or training in opportunities to participate by studying in work-oriented programmes,” the minister said.

Data indicates that of the 2.8 million South Africans between the ages 18 and 24 (in 2007) not in employment, education or training, two million (about 71 percent) had not achieved Grade 12. Of these about 18 percent had not even progressed beyond primary level.

“The college community therefore, in my view, must expand its horizons and see the world…they must understand that our broad goal is to develop the economy in a way that responds to the needs of all South Africans.”

He said FETs would also need to provide training programmes that are needed in the real world in order to sustain livelihoods for many who are unemployed. – BuaNews ]]> South Africa Newsroom http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1703 Obama must stick to his guns on education http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1702&goto=newpost Fri, 03 Sep 2010 01:02:21 GMT (http://rss.cnn.com/~ff/rss/cnn_education?a=BGFSR33jm94:MQJMThn9hAU:yIl2AUoC8zA)...]]> It's back-to-school time, which means some in the media have gone back to asking: "What's wrong with our schools? And how can we fix it?" http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/rss/...=yIl2AUoC8 zA</img> http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/rss/...=7Q72WNTAK BA</img> http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/rss/...:V_sGLiPBpW U</img> http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/rss/...:gIN9vFwOqv Q</img> http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/rss/...=qj6IDK7rI Ts</img>


More... ]]> News Feeds Newsroom http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1702 What is System One 4 every 1? http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1701&goto=newpost Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:49:10 GMT What is System One 4 every 1? A formula for teaching any child anywhere how to count read and think logically, based on logical steps, using visually created memory which is consistently being proven. Understanding the meaning of numbers is directly related to the human hands we all possess, but...
What is System One 4 every 1?

A formula for teaching any child anywhere how to count read and think logically, based on logical steps, using visually created memory which is consistently being proven. Understanding the meaning of numbers is directly related to the human hands we all possess, but in a standard formula.

The four concepts of numbers need to be clearly understood. Eg two hands are ten and there are five fingers on each hand, with each finger having a name based on counting left to right. This locks two concepts together meaning and name, within every healthy child’s mind. The second two concepts are the numerals and the words we use in describing numbers so there we have it, meaning, spoken word, numeral and written word, four concepts mentally understand as one: simply the physical meaning of numbers.

This is followed by simple exercises, proving exercises with the fingers. A Sum a Second.” Physical exercises with thirty stones or sweets. “The Thirty Stones” leading on to working with an Abacus One written in words Abacus, with three columns and thirty word concepts. Simple arithmetic processes are easily demonstrated by the abacus whereby children quickly understand arithmetic processes.

Taking the first schooling year of a child’s life doing repetitive exercises for only a few minutes every day until every child is perfect. E.g. at 4-5 years of age this builds numeric awareness in any and every child.

If the child fails it is not the child’s fault but the tutors. Mathematic processes are easily understood by consistently utilising an Abacus One or an Abacus one Map which is free 4 every 1.

There are two distinct manners by which most children learn to read. Whole word whereby the child recognises a picture of the word. E.g. dog, cat, rat also an Abacus one or an Abacus One Map reading and proving the number concerned. Eventually most children can learn to read like this but it takes time and deep concentration by the child, building up the memory of many whole words and then recognising when some syllables are used within other words.

So we turn to simple sounds. The child needs to learn the alphabet first. This rhythmic chant combined with a finger tracing exercise locks every letter of the alphabet quickly into a perfect memory of the letter and the sound combination, Two vital concepts alphabet sound and letter recognition, it is just as important in teaching your own child to read as knowing the name and number of ever finger is when learning basic maths.

On the back of the Abacus One Map we have the Rhythmic Map of the Alphabet ( or as a separate visualisation) following this map, where locking in the sound and letter relationship is building permanent memory for life when we use low case letters. Eventually all the differing language sounds are instantly recognisable in the letter combinations we use within our natural written language.

Perfecting the visual memory of all the words we use on the abacus to represent numbers and around another hundred words that are vital in our language, is a perfect starting point for learning all the syllable combinations we have to know consciously or unconsciously if we are to read perfectly.

When we can read and manipulate numbers we are naturally building the neural pathways we need to read anything eventually. The subconscious memory is naturally more efficient then the conscious memory. The learning processes for system one is easily understood within a few hours. Older children or adults will quickly learn to read if they follow these step by step processes.

My system one has been growing step by logical step for fifteen years, simply so that no healthy child anywhere shall be left in the darkness of ignorance. We are obviously all of one species and every healthy child is born already equipped to make instantaneous discoveries at the speed of light.

What I discovered was that a simple physical routine built a perfect memory of process. Therefore whatever you wish any child to understand design the lessons simple around a physical routine.

What I was not aware of was the incredibly complex abilities we are all born with, understanding the full potential of the human brain as to just what is possible alongside the development of system one has taken me fifteen years.

I cannot teach you everything I have learnt in fifteen years of fascination with human brain function in a few hours, but I can teach you how to teach your own and every healthy child, how count and read perfectly between its fourth and sixth birthday if you have the desire to do so. I consider that we are all of one tribe the showme people.


So read learn think and develop the abilities we all possess to show our own children and others the simple physical steps they can use to teach any child anything with.


Every one of us has to teach and learn everyday of our lives in order to live. Reading and counting is essential knowledge for everyone of us.

There is now no excuse for not teaching your own child how to do that. We can not remember how we were taught to do that, because every small piece of knowledge was imperceptibly acquired during hours of boring lessons.

Use Abacus One or a free Abacus One map and watch your own child grasp every lesson you teach them.

John Nicholson
]]> How the Brain Learns John Nicholson http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1701 Competition to raise SKA project awareness http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1700&goto=newpost Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:29:16 GMT Pretoria – A competition aimed at raising public awareness about Africa’s bid to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) among high school pupils is to be held by the Department of Science and Technology. The competition will target learners from Grade eight to Grade 11. By answering five easy... Pretoria – A competition aimed at raising public awareness about Africa’s bid to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) among high school pupils is to be held by the Department of Science and Technology.

The competition will target learners from Grade eight to Grade 11. By answering five easy questions, the learners can win a laptop, notebook, iPod, printer or SKA SA branded clothing and bags.

South Africa and Australia are the only two bidders in the running to host the largest radio telescope, which will be used to collect radio waves from space-like planets, stars and galaxies.

The SKA will consist of approximately 3 000 dish-shaped antennae and other hybrid receiving technologies. If Africa wins the bid, the core of the telescope will be constructed near Carnarvon in the Karoo region of the Northern Cape, with outlying stations of about 30 to 40 antennae located in African partner countries. These antennae will be connected via a data communications network to a data-processing facility.

The combined collecting area of the SKA will add up to one square kilometer (One million square metres).

The department’s Chief Director of Radio Astronomy Advances, Dr Tshepo Seekoe said awareness of the project needed to be boosted among the youth because they are future beneficiaries of the astronomy and space programme.

"We are engaging the youth of South Africa to assist in bringing this project to Africa. By entering the competition in droves, learners will send a clear message to the decision makers that Africa's time has certainly come for large research infrastructure development too,” said Seekoe.

Apart from the advantage to South Africa's space development programme, the SKA will also benefit tourism with visitors streaming to see the spectacular core site.

South Africa is currently building a precursor instrument near the site proposed for the SKA. The Karoo Array Telescope (MeerKAT), which will consist of approximately 64 dishes, will be among the largest and most powerful telescopes in the world in its own right, and will develop technologies needed for the SKA.

Competition entry forms can be downloaded from the SAASTA, the South African SKA Project Office (SASPO) and Department of Science and Technology websites (www.saasta.ac.za, www.ska.ac.za and www.dst.gov.za).

They will also be available at secondary schools and science centres across the country.

Entries marked "MeerKAT-SKA Schools Competition" may be posted to PO Box 1758, Pretoria, 0001, or delivered to SAASTA, Didacta Building, 211 Skinner Street, Pretoria. The competition closes on 31 October. - BuaNews
Attached Images
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]]> South Africa Newsroom http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1700 Alabama schools turn to bank loans to operate http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1699&goto=newpost Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:41:32 GMT Alabama schools have been having a rough time of it, and it only looks like it's going to get rougher. The Cotton State recently came in last place in the federal Department of Education's Race to the Top grant competition. And a steadfast global recession combined with the Gulf Coast oil spill this summer have put a severe strain on the state's tax receipts, the primary source of revenue for Alabama's education system, forcing several school systems to take out private loans just to make it through the year.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/rss/...=yIl2AUoC8 zA</img> http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/rss/...=7Q72WNTAK BA</img> http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/rss/...:V_sGLiPBpW U</img> http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/rss/...:gIN9vFwOqv Q</img> http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/rss/...=qj6IDK7rI Ts</img>


More... ]]> News Feeds Newsroom http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1699 Pamphlets to help prepare matriculants http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1698&goto=newpost Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:02:23 GMT Pretoria – At least 50 000 pamphlets with tips on writing exams are to be distributed to Grade 12 learners in the Free State to help them prepare for their finals. This forms part of contingency plans by the provincial Department of Education to make up for lost time during the ongoing public... Pretoria – At least 50 000 pamphlets with tips on writing exams are to be distributed to Grade 12 learners in the Free State to help them prepare for their finals.

This forms part of contingency plans by the provincial Department of Education to make up for lost time during the ongoing public service strike. Schools around the country have been adversely affected by the industrial action with the Grade 12s expecting to sit for their exams in less than 50 days.

Free State Education MEC Tate Makgoe urged learners to be ready to do everything possible to ensure they are prepared for their exams.

“Under these conditions the best way to learn is to establish voluntary study groups where learners can help each other go through past papers and study notes,” Makgoe said, adding that the department would support the groups by distributing revision packs to learners from previously disadvantaged schools.

In addition, the department will set up matric study centres in all districts to encourage learners to engage in group discussions as well as peer teaching during and after the striking period.

The provincial department is also planning to establish a partnership with SABC Education for another catch-up programme that will focus mainly on languages.

Makgoe said the department’s objective was to have these lessons commencing from September until October at Lesedi’s Seikokotlelo programme. “We will also approach community radio stations to allow us to deploy our subject experts to provide lessons through their medium,” he said.

However, he pointed out that for the contingency plan to have a positive impact, the department needs the support from teachers, school governing bodies and community members to join hands in supporting learners.

He also invited volunteers to lend a helping hand to support learning and teaching during this period of disruption of schooling and beyond.

“Retired and student teachers, parents, community leaders, and NGOs involved in education are humbly requested to heed our clarion call to keep our children occupied and involved in meaningful education activities,” urged Makgoe.

Free State is among the provinces decided to postpone the preliminary exams due to current public service strike. The exams have been postponed until 6 September 2010. - BuaNews ]]> South Africa Newsroom http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1698 Report: Classroom shortage hurts East Jerusalem children http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1694&goto=newpost Wed, 25 Aug 2010 07:12:34 GMT ...]]> Palestinian children in East Jerusalem are being put at a disadvantage because of a dire shortage of classrooms in the east side of the city, according to a report published Tuesday by two Israeli human rights groups.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/rss/...=yIl2AUoC8 zA</img> http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/rss/...=7Q72WNTAK BA</img> http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/rss/...:V_sGLiPBpW U</img> http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/rss/...:gIN9vFwOqv Q</img> http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/rss/...=qj6IDK7rI Ts</img>


More... ]]> News Feeds Newsroom http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1694 SBGs called in to assist in schools http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1693&goto=newpost Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:49:38 GMT Pretoria – Members of school governing bodies in KwaZulu-Natal have been called on to assist in conducting lessons to ensure learning in schools...

More South Africa Education ... ]]> SA Education News Feed Newsroom http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1693 Why Balloons Rise and Apples Fall http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1692&goto=newpost Tue, 24 Aug 2010 09:59:49 GMT This book will help you understand the world... Physics won't bite, even if it does bang!

For Full Story on Teach-the-Brain.org News click link... ]]> Education News Newsroom http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1692 <![CDATA[Western Cape Education's Strike Management Plan]]> http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1691&goto=newpost Sun, 22 Aug 2010 19:06:48 GMT The Provincial Government of the Western Cape has developed a comprehensive strike management plan for Education that aims to ensure that we do...

More South Africa Education ... ]]> SA Education News Feed Newsroom http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1691 <![CDATA[What's missing for back-to-school? 135,000 teachers]]> http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1690&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:26:46 GMT More children are crowding into classrooms in Modesto, Calif. Parents are paying extra to send their kids to full-day kindergarten in Queen Creek, Ariz. And the school buses stopped rolling in one St. Louis area school district.Image: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/rss/cnn_education?d=yIl2AUoC8zA... More children are crowding into classrooms in Modesto, Calif. Parents are paying extra to send their kids to full-day kindergarten in Queen Creek, Ariz. And the school buses stopped rolling in one St. Louis area school district.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/rss/...=yIl2AUoC8 zA</img> http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/rss/...=7Q72WNTAK BA</img> http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/rss/...:V_ sGLiPBpWU</img> http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/rss/...:gI N9vFwOqvQ</img> http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/rss/...=qj6IDK7rI Ts</img>


More... ]]> News Feeds Newsroom http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1690 Recession Increases The Financial Burden Of University Costs http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1689&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:05:34 GMT * 82% of parents say recession has increased the financial strain of university costs * 55% of students are worried they will not find a job on graduation * 49% of students think it will take over a decade to repay their student debt * 32% of students will take a higher paid job over their career... * 82% of parents say recession has increased the financial strain of university costs
* 55% of students are worried they will not find a job on graduation
* 49% of students think it will take over a decade to repay their student debt
* 32% of students will take a higher paid job over their career vocation
* Students are still more realistic than their parents on student debt
* £24,7021 is estimated average amount of debt for a student starting university in 2010

With A Level results out, students considering higher education need to carefully plan for the financial burden of further studies. The Association of Investment Companies (AIC) annual survey2 into attitudes towards student debt suggests that over three quarters (82%) of parents believe that the recession is making it harder to fund their children through university (up from 73% in 2009).

With the Coalition Government contemplating reducing funding for universities, the financial strain on students is likely to increase and, with the average student starting university in 2010 expected to graduate with £24,702 of debt, students and their parents really need to make sure that they are financially prepared. A £50 a month investment3 into the average investment company over the last 18 years would today be worth £21,314 and, over 21 years, it would be worth £30,046 which would definitely be a great help to today's students who are facing such a financial burden.

A long term debt sentence
Once again this year, students are proving more realistic than their parents when it comes to paying off their university debt with 34% of students predicting they will graduate with over £20,000 of debt compared to 19% of parents. A worrying 24% of parents might be in for something of a shock when their child graduates as they believe their children will graduate with less than £10,000 in debt compared to 19% of students.

49% of students estimate that it will take them over 10 years to pay off their debt and 8% believe they could be in debt for over 20 years. With such a debt sentence upon them, some 18% of students said that they would put off or postpone doing postgraduate studies due to the extra debt entailed.

The worry of unemployment
55% of students are worried that they will not be able to find a job on graduation, due to the effects of the recession. With the worry of debt levels on graduation, some 32% of students have said that they would prioritise a higher paid job over their career vocation to help pay off their student debt and, of the 27% of graduates who would consider taking a gap year before university, 11% would do so in order to help their financial situation on graduation and 9% would do so to put less of the strain on family finances.

Parents and grandparents are still a huge helping hand
25% of parents questioned said they would be the main source of funding for their child's university education and 12% said that grandparents would be making some contribution as well. Just under half (46%) of students will be taking out a student loan as their main source of income.

Parental sacrifice
Parents are still prepared to make financial sacrifices for their children to help them through university. 23% of parents questioned said they would sacrifice their annual holiday, 21% a new car, 13% home improvements or extensions, 13% early retirement and 12% moving to a bigger house.

Ian Overgage, Acting Communications Director, AIC said: "Clearly the recession has made it even harder for parents to fund their children's university education. It is worrying that so many students and their parents are still underestimating the true cost of going to university. Many young people go to university to enjoy some of the best years of their life but the reality on graduation is a huge financial burden which will take years to pay off.

"With students considering the prospects of university life this week and parents facing an ever increasing financial burden, if you can start saving for your children for the long-term from an early age you can give them a financial advantage later in life. The sooner you start investing for your children, the better chance of greater returns. Investment companies offer parents a useful way of saving as they can access the long term potential of the stock market. Investment companies invest in a variety of companies on your behalf, spreading your investment risk and they are available from as little as £50 a month, or £250 lump sum. If you had invested £50 a month in the average investment company over the last 18 years you would now have over £20,000." ]]> Education News Newsroom http://www.teach-the-brain.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1689