CAT in East London

Doodle 4 Google – "I love football"

2010-04-22T12:08:00.002+02:00

Wonderful competition for your kids just prior to the World Cup.

Click here

GAP Content Training

2010-04-22T12:05:00.002+02:00

GAP Training Content and Files are available for those of you who could not make the training.

Click here

Open Source

2010-02-03T11:50:00.002+02:00

So now that we know that the Microsoft agreement ends with the Department of Education in June 2010, there are a few questions this raises.

Who is going to foot the licensing issues with Microsoft?

This could amount to several thousands of rands per school since there will no longer be a blanket license, but rather a license per computer.

The lack of Internet at many of our schools compounds the problem of Viruses. Although some schools have Anti Virus programmes installed, these cannot be updated without being connected to the Internet, hence become obsolete after a few weeks.

Is there an alternative?

The answer is simple: YES !!!

There are several Linux based software out there on the market that are perfect for our circumstances and problems highlighted above.

Ubuntu: 9.04 - a great tested operating system with applications.- I use it on my computer. Only problem is that you will need the Internet to add on the Database program.

Ubuntu : 9.10 - much inproved to 9.04

Ubuntu 10 will be released shortly and has a number of improvements, especially with media programs.

DSL - stands for Damm Small Linux 40 odd MB- a small operating system with basic applications.

Puppy Linux- can run live off a CD - operating system and Applications.

Linux Mint - Now we are talking. This baby is a free download at:
http://linux.softpedia.com/get/System/Operating-Systems/Linux-Distributions/Linux-Mint-Helena-52269.shtml

The 688MB Operating system has all the required applications including database. It functions on a 256mb system at speeds you have never dreamed of. Should you wish to add software, this can be done at the click of a button should you be connected to the Internet.

What am I going on about you might say !

Linux Mint is:
A free Operating System with applications (Office, Internet, Media etc)
It requires NO LICENSE
It cannot get a virus !
It is fast and efficient.
It can save in Microsoft XP and Office 2007 formats so that anyone with MS can still open the documents.

Need I say more?

Let me hear your view !

Mark

Practical Assessment Tasks

2010-01-14T14:48:00.003+02:00

The Practical assessment tasks for CAT grade 10, 11 and 12 are available on the new EL District web site.
http://eldistrict.yolasite.com
or simply click here

The Information Technology PAT topic for Grade 12 is available here

New EL District Web Site

2009-12-09T10:13:00.000+02:00

In December 2009, Thutong, the Education portal that has hosted the East London Education District web site for the past 3 years, was no longer able to host the site.

This was due to the National DoE taking over the hosting of all Thutong sites.

For security reasons, the DoE does not allow ftp (file transfer protocol) and so the webmaster is unable to upload material onto the East London Education District Web Site.

The East London Education District is now looking for a new sponsored host for the web site and is using this host in the interim. Should you be able to host the EL District web site, please contact the webmaster.

I trust you will still find the information you require and will continue to visit the EL District site.

http://eldistrict.yolasite.com

Setup a Wireless Network at Workshops

2009-08-26T12:34:00.000+02:00

Are you not tired of running around at workshops exchanging files and folders using your memory stick? We all know how the viruses spread.

Why not setup a Wireless Network between all our computers......then we can exchange files and folders through file sharing.

Read the article link below on how to do this.

http://thetechdaily.blogspot.com/2009/05/connect-two-computers-using-wifi.html

Or to setup a Bluetooth Network

http://www.wifizard.com/tutorialsXP/generic_bluetooth_pan/index.htm

Hope you find this interesting.

Mark

September CAT Memorandum

2009-08-24T13:09:00.002+02:00

Hi All

The Annexure which must accompany your CD containing the Learners practical work and marksheet to Rubusana on Friday has been emailed. Make sure you have it.

The Memorandum for September 2009 (which should have been collected from exams at Rubusana) can be found on the exam paper web site under the file name "MemoCATSept09"

https://sites.google.com/site/markhensberg/Home/cat-grade-12-exam-papers

Regards

Mark

How to remove a Virus

2009-08-07T12:43:00.000+02:00

Click on the link above.

Circular E18 and E18 of 2009

2009-08-07T09:26:00.003+02:00

Your attention is drawn to circulars E18 and E19 of 2009, regarding learners having an absent mark for School Based Assessments and E19 deals with procedures for Practical Exams.

I still prefer the DOCUMENTS we discussed at the Roll-Out Plan workshop.

E18 and E18 are immediately available on the District Web Site

Mark

Additional CAT Exam Papers

2009-08-03T15:03:00.005+02:00

Hi all.

I found the Supp CAT Gr12 Papers and data files as well as today the EC Grade 12 Learner Support Programme – Revision and Remedial Teaching Instruments (the unofficial Gr12 June papers that were not handed out by the department, but withheld as extra exemplars basically) on the website http://catit.250free.com

Last night I tried in vain at home to download and after 45 minutes still wasn’t able to download anything… It took me about 20 minutes now in my classroom… Have zipped them for you guys.

Don’t know if you want to give the matrics even more question papers before the prac exams… looks like they are not too interested in doing more revision… so maybe we can do them next term before their finals… any how, what ever you think is best. I wanted to do an access and a excel question as a “class test” tomorrow and Wednesday and then hand out the memo as a mark sheet for them to mark their own work the last 10 minutes of the lesson, but since they are soooooo unco-operative at the moment, I don’t know if I’m still going to do that.

Bye guys and good luck!

Mari

Mari Fourie

Cell no. 083 309 6571

Thanks Mari

I have posted these extra exam papers on the exams web site.

Practical Exams Data Discs

2009-07-29T13:57:00.002+02:00

Data discs for the CAT and IT Practical exams (6th and 7th August) are now available from Exams at the District office.

Orange Pen

2009-07-29T13:51:00.002+02:00

To the person who removed themselves with my Orange Pen from the CASS Moderation's yesterday....please own up !!!!!

If you are logging on here for the first time.....please remember to feed the fish !!!

Scroll to the bottom and click with your mouse to release food, otherwise they will follow your mouse!

Thanks

PAT Day

2009-07-28T10:08:00.000+02:00

The time of the year has come where everyone is extremely busy trying to complete the Curriculum in time for the exams.
The Labs need to be prepared for the Practical exams on 6 and 7 August.
The learners are inundated with workload from all subjects.
The PAT's need to completed by the end of term etc etc.

It is suggested that with exams coming up, you as the CAT Educator, take the initiative and speak to your exams person to allocate one of the free days during exams as a "PAT DAY". This is a compulsory day for all CAT learners to attend school and spend time in the CAT lab to catch up on or complete their PAT's.

This has been implemented at Beaconhurst where it works extremely well.

What suggestions do you have?

Permanently set your flash drive’s default AutoPlay action

2009-07-27T15:37:00.000+02:00

Permanently set your flash drive’s default AutoPlay action
• Date: July 16th, 2008
• Author: Greg Shultz
• Category: Windows XP, tip
Save some time and frustration by configuring Windows XP to bypass AutoPlay and automatically launch Windows Explorer when you insert your flash drive.
———————————————————————————————
If you have a USB flash drive holding various Microsoft Windows XP files, you may want to configure the drive to automatically open Windows Explorer rather than display the AutoPlay dialog box.
You can select the Open Folder To View Files In Windows Explorer and select the Always Do The Selected Action check box but that only configures the flash drive for one file type. Here’s how to configure your flash drive to open Windows Explorer for all file types at the same time:
1. Insert your flash drive into the USB port.
2. When you see the AutoPlay dialog box, click Cancel.
3. Open My Computer, right-click your flash drive icon, and select Properties.
4. In the Properties dialog box, select the AutoPlay tab.
5. Perform the following steps for each item in the Content Type drop-down list:
a. Select an item in the Content Type drop-down list.
b. Choose Select An Action To Perform in the Actions panel.
c. Select the Open Folder To View Files In Windows Explorer action.
d. Click the Apply button.
6. Click OK to close the Properties dialog box.
Now use the Safely Remove Hardware feature to remove your flash drive — wait a moment and plug it back in. You’ll see the AutoPlay progress appear momentarily, and then you should see Windows Explorer open to show the contents of the flash drive.

Prelim Practical

2009-07-27T15:21:00.003+02:00

The CAT and IT preliminary practicals will take place on 6 and 7 August 2009.

Please fetch the data discs from Wednesday onwards from the Exams Section at Rubusana.

Ensure that your Computer Labs meet the required standards as discussed last Friday at the Roll-Out Plan Workshop. Documents available as per the "Welcome" message below.

Should you have any preparation problems, please contact me urgently so that together we can try and solve the problems.

Reminder: Those who wish to get the Mindset Software are to contact me so that we can make an arrangement.

What do you think of the CAT DVD you received at the workshop?

Should you require the Science DVD's (3), contact me so that we can make arrangements.

Contacting me can be easily made through gchat......make sure you have a gmail account.

Mark

Welcome

2009-07-27T13:44:00.002+02:00

Hi All

I will attempt to use this blog to provide a site whereby if you have missed any of my emails or resources, you will be able to trace them here.

In the meantime, all the documents and Annexures' required for the practical exams can be found here.

Some past Grade 12 exam papers can be found here.

Please feel free to contribute to this blog as it is for you the Educator.

Mark

PS: Please feed the fish below with your "mouse" - Thanks