TEACHER COMMENTS ABOUT THE BCP WORKSHOP
‘Very well presented and knowledgeable on topics. Brings practical examples, extensively researched.’ (KIDZPOSITIVE, Occupational Therapist, 2011)‘Developed new method/techniques on how to use myself better in sessions and get better potential from children.’ (KIDZPOSITIVE, Occupational Therapist, 2011)
‘BCP is foundational to a child's learning. It is the building blocks on which all other concepts are build. A concept needs to be fully understood by a child before a new concept can be taught. We often rush children's learning due to time constraints which is not correct.’ (KIDZPOSITIVE, Occupational Therapist, 2011)‘The trainer was very good and it was refreshing to be part of a workshop that can actually make a difference in the lives and minds of learners.’ (Metro North, 2010)
‘The trainer was very clear, explained everything and was very interesting. There was never a dull moment. We got clarity on how to use the materials in the kit.’ (Metro North, 2010)
‘Verstaan dat die dinge wat daagliks gedoen en ervaar word, maar wat nie met soveel diepte gedoen word nie.’ (Namaqua District, 2010)
’Beter begrip van hoe oom die leerders te lei om spontaan deel te neem aan les.’ (Namaqua District, 2010)
‘Ek het meer geleer rondom die BKP en ek pas dit basies elke dag toe in my klas, maar het meer leiding ontvang en geleer dat daar sover moontlik geleentheid vir die leerder geskep moet word om vrae te vra en beantwoord in volsinne.’ (Namaqua District, 2010)
’Het n begrip- eintlik beter begrip oor hoe om die leerders meer laat praat en ek minder.’ (Namaqua District, 2010)
’Het geleer hoe om die kind benader. Selfvetroue ontwikkel.’ (Namaqua District, 2010)
‘Thank you for an incredible training session. Fully worked out sheets for assessment, learning outcomes, baseline and lessons.’ (Metro North, 2009)
‘The programme can definitely work (but) only (if a) … mind shift can occur. The emphasis is on learner centered teaching and not teacher giving facts to a learner. It allows (for) … flexibility not based on methodology but how learners organize - sort - compare … to see learning through their own eyes.’ (Metro North, 2009)
‘The presenter was very well prepared and knew what to put across.
He is a good mediator and knows how to work with children. One of my best workshops.’ (Metro North, 2009)‘It was one of the best training sessions that Metro North has presented….’ (Metro North, 2009)
‘All foundation phase educators, esp. Grade R, should attend this workshop. If everyone in the education system uses this BCP model, we should see remarkable improvements in the learners' LIT/NUM over a couple of years.’ (Metro North, 2009)
‘This is an exciting way of teaching to children with barriers. I am looking forward to helping my children. Basic Concepts are the foundation of all learning and through the knowledge of language; terms; vocabulary all children will or should progress.’ (Metro North, 2009)
‘The workshop furnished me with the model and the theory underpinning it. The way in which mediated learning allows children to develop cognitive tools for application across all domains. The value of structure and language when attempting to mediate concepts and how these superoridnate concepts have manifestations within the subordinate. How the concepts interrelate and provide learners with the tools to facilitate learning. (Schools Development Unit, University of Cape Town, 2009)
‘An effective mediation device/tool. This can provide structure to those teachers who have lost sight of the objectives of teaching. A step-by-step model that should be transferable … This could provide many educators with a basis to move forward, yet maintain a focus on what their task is. Applicable to situations where learners are struggling with relevant content – and in many ‘normal’ classrooms many learners may benefit.’ (Schools Development Unit, University of Cape Town, 2009)
‘The BCP/teaching model provided insight into the process of mediation and its application to general and specific concepts that underpin necessary development and operations in Grade R. The structure provided a framework to apply all/any concepts/lessons in a systematic way. The programme is explicitly linked to the South African curriculum (NCS) and referenced issues which are confronted by all teachers and challenges of ‘laying foundational’ thinking.’ (Schools Development Unit, University of Cape Town, 2009)
‘I feel that I understand how the programme works and how one concept follows another to provide understanding and knowledge for the child to move onto the next concept …once they are confident with the language and vocabulary. I now understand the importance of language in the classroom and being very explicit (with my language).’ (Forres School, 2009)‘I have found new inspiration to teach. The workshop has given me hope once again. I see the light at the end of the tunnel where …learners with different language (and) no English vocabulary and no pre-school can now benefit from the useful programme.’ (EMDC Central, 2009)
‘It was very important for me to see how the learners develop cognitively and what strategies to follow.’ (EMDC Central, 2009)
‘The BCP takes thinking and reasoning of learners to a higher level and will surely make the sessions much more interesting and fun for (my learners). I also like the 3rd step where the mediator will encourage the use of learner’s imagination which I find quite challenging …. A very well researched program that must … bring relief to disillusioned educators.’ (EMDC Central, 2009)
‘(The BCP is needed) to ... improve our education (system) for the benefit of all learners, all educators MUST do the course, it should not be voluntary (for) educators linked to WCED.’ (EMDC Central, 2009)
‘Initially I did not have high expectations of this workshop, but after day 1 I was hooked! I practised with my learners daily and they could not wait for the ‘The Box’ to makes its appearance. It is an excellent programme to have in class and I would recommend it highly. I was so impressed with the slide of the Grade Rs writing …’ (EMDC Central, 2009)‘I really think that this is a good programme … I feel that the programme especially number and letter should be done with the whole class. I realized … that I have taken (it) for granted that … children will learn to read and write but they must be shown (how to) step by step … I have definitely learnt a lot from this workshop. Thank you for opening my eyes.’ (EMDC Central, October, 2008)
‘I have found new inspiration to teach. The workshop has given me hope again. I can now assist learners with learning barriers. I don’t need to wait on the learning support teacher. I immediately want to integrate these sessions into my daily classroom programme. I see the light at the end of the tunnel … (for) our learners with barriers towards learning …’ (EMDC Central, October, 2008)
‘I was very nervous about coming to the workshop ... but after the first session I could not wait for the next. It was really good and I wouldn’t mind having more workshops like this. I know that this training will help my children ...’ (Teaching Assistant, Metro South, September 2008)
‘I really want to thank you ... (for) what you taught us and the way (you) taught us to work with the learners. Now I know more about teaching and how to ... (work with) my group that I work with ... The course helped me to understand how (to) ... help children who have learning difficulties. It was an excellent course’. (Teaching Assistant, Metro South, September 2008)
‘Being able to participate in the BCP workshop was beneficial even though I am not teaching … I will understand what my staff is doing. I am amazed that even the pre-Grade R's could cope with the programme. The BCP is loaded with so much language that can ... be introduced to pre-Grade R.’ (Vrygrond Community Development Trust, August 2008)
‘With this knowledge … my teaching has become easier. (This approach) is more learner-centred … It also provides a way to get feedback from learners - it’s participatory.’ (Vrygrond Community Development Trust, August 2008)
‘This was a good, hands-on workshop (which) could be taken back to the classroom. My learners enjoyed the sessions … The prompts and questions helped to improve their vocabulary –they don’t use one word answers anymore.’ (EMDC Central, March 2008)‘The BCP is a new method of teaching Grade R learners … Thank you for all the information which I could take back to my classroom and school. The support teacher at my school is a great help (with the programme). Please train more teachers so that all our learners in this country can benefit.’ (EMDC Central, March 2008)
‘More focus should be placed on the first seven years of the child’s (education) life by the Western Cape Department of Education. Programmes, resources and training should be prioritized. The BCP programme could make a big impact on the life of the younger child.’ (EMDC Central, March 2008)
‘The BCP training helped me to teach concepts to my learners. I recommend that all Grade R teachers do this course. I will certainly implement the programme at my school.’ (EMDC South, March 2008)
‘This was a great experience. I’ve learnt so much. I would like all Grade R educators to receive this information. It was a real eye opener and I can see that there is a difference in my learners since I implemented the programme.’ (EMDC South, March 2008)
‘This is possibly the best workshop that I have ever attended … I feel confident about implementing (the programme) because of the way it was presented.’ (Colesberg, Northern Cape, 2008)
‘I look forward to implementing this programme and feel confident and empowered to do so. I recommend that all Grade R practitioners are trained to run the programme … because there is a need for it in our country.’ (Colesberg, Northern Cape, 2008)
‘I thoroughly enjoyed this workshop as I was given the opportunity to work with learners … (while being) guided. The trainer demonstrations with the learners were an excellent idea. I feel that this workshop has been a success as I can now see what our learners lack. It made a lot of sense.’ (EMDC South, September 2007)
‘I was impressed with the sessions… The support session (in the classroom) was rewarding as I could literally see the improvements in the learners. I like the way the steps follow each other. The lesson plans have been clearly developed. Through this method learners are stimulated to think and reason for themselves.’ (EMDC South, September 2007)
‘It is a very good programme. Our pupils will benefit from it … it will enhance their language and reasoning abilities. The programme also encourages peer teaching.” (EMDC Central, August 2007)
“The BCP got me very excited … to implement it. I was amazed to discover what we could get out of the learners just by probing and prompting the learners with questions. It also gives us opportunities to get to know those learners who never speak in class.” (EMDC Central, August 2007)
“I was impressed with the training and value everything I was taught. I think that all Foundation Phase teachers should receive this training.” (EMDC Central, August 2007)
“I am glad that I could attend this interesting training. The trainer was excellent. I’ve learnt that I as the educator must become the mediator and not give (the learners) too much information. The learners have to be given a chance to think.” (EMDC Central, August 2007)
“I enjoyed the applied, systematic, generic coherence of the programme and the sustained pattern of presentation with theoretical underpinning woven in.” (BCP Training at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2007)
“I am extremely humbled that I have met an educator like you. The excellence, precision, organized and structured way you present your work is something that I aspire to. You have developed a programme that is in touch with the needs of learners and educators and complies with the curriculum.” (BCP Training at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2007)
‘This was one of the very best of training workshops I have ever attended. The teaching skills that were practically demonstrated was definitely an eye opener to everyone. You helped us understand how a child can be inspired and motivated ... to want to learn. The programme will definitely have an impact on the teaching styles of the educators.’ (Northern Cape, 2007)
‘The programme is outstanding. The approach is really what we want to see in the profession. To get learners to think creatively and (for) the educators to be mediators. (The training process) … proves that that you can implement the programme with a lot of success. The programme is an eye opener to educators and the Department Of Education... that all learners can learn. We ... just unlock their potential and expose them ….’ (Northern Cape, 2007)‘I must congratulate the presenter for a wonderful course … well presented and done thoroughly and systematically. I recommend that the department run a parent skills course at every school where the BC workshop is run on a Saturday over a period of 5 weeks.’ (EMDC Central, November 2006)
‘This programme links to the Learning Outcomes and Assessment Standards of the National Curriculum Statement. This is eye opening for teachers. It is the first workshop that makes sense. Excellent!!’ (EMDC Central, November 2006)
‘Very refreshing course. I am excited and eager to embark (with)…my learners on this new journey. I have seen changes in even my weak learners’. (EMDC Central, November 2006)‘Sessions were very informative and interesting ... Learners are taught how to think and come up with individual answers. More educators should be trained. I will definitely use the BCP ...’ (EMDC Central, November 2006)
‘This was a very enriching course. It really ignited the fire inside of me and my zeal for teaching ...’ (EMDC Central, November 2006)
‘I felt very grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in this course. I feel it’s deepened my understanding of children and how they learn. It’s made me look at how I teach and interact with the children and (has) given me concrete, practical ways to improve on both… The file and manual are user-friendly, detailed and comprehensive.’ (Hebrew Pre-primaries, 2006)
‘The programme introduced to us will enhance our abilities as teacher to mediate in a more constructive manner. It will also provide a more solid foundation for the learner, as the concepts are presented and taught in a concrete manner. The concepts (covered) are logical. I found the course to be constructive and extremely well put together.’ (Hebrew Pre-primaries, 2006)
‘The workshop was very good and fruitful…. It equipped me … to implement the programme with my learners. I just wish that all the Foundation Phase educators would get to do this workshop.’ (EMDC Central, 2005)
‘This is the first workshop that I have attended in years where I found I grew as an educator and my time was not wasted. I wish more time could have been allocated.... to cover more lower order concepts. I feel excited about implementing this programme.’ (EMDC Central, 2005)
