“Online learning provides fantastic flexibility, among other benefits, and aids in making the task of arranging development opportunities far easier.”
Dr. Sharon Jones
My name is Sigourney Louw, and I am a Senior ITE working for Edunova/KILT. I manage and maintain the computer lab at Concordia High School, as well as teach and run a LEGO Robotics Club at Knysna High School. I have been working for Edunova/KILT for over year now and can truly say I have grown as person and in my professional career.
Firstly, let's discuss: what is an ITE? - an ITE is the abbreviation for Information Technology Enabler and is someone who helps and supports schools, companies or even people with gaining skills related to and with technology. ITEs have varying roles within a company, however the most prevalent roles is supporting in IT related issues.
Since August 2021
I have been working with Edunova/KILT as an ITE. I started off by applying to Edunova's ITE Learnership Programme, which provided me with the necessary training before placing me in Concordia High School with a fellow August 2021 ITE, Zimkita Ndevu.
August was dedicated to training all the new ITEs in our daily, weekly and monthly duties, familiarizing us with the applications the schools use and helping us grow as individuals to be confident when starting at the schools. This was a very informative month, has my experience in the workplace, up to that point, was limited and this really helped me be and feel prepared for the journey ahead. This training month also allowed me to become acquainted with my fellow ITEs and my facilitators.
However, my understanding of the job only grew when I was placed at Concordia High School. It came with trail and errors, building relationships with the school staff and building up from what was already taking place in the computer lab. Myself and my fellow ITE, Zimkita, had to navigate was working in a school's computer lab entailed as well as what we were expected to do. It was a learning curve for us both, however working together, we developed the presence of the computer lab within the school.
I also assisted in the LEGO Robotics club, by offering support during lessons. This was completely new to me as I have never worked with LEGO Robotics before. However, I took it upon myself to learn, practice and pay attention when I didn't understand something and quickly developed.
I left 2021 more confident in my skills as an ITE and an instructor for LEGO Robotics.
2022
When schools started up again in 2022, I was excited for the new opportunity I was given to manage my own LEGO Robotics Club with Knysna High School. I was proud that my supervisors and facilitators thought I could handle that pressure, as I'd only been doing LEGO Robotics for a few months. The classes started out with only a hand full of learners taking part in the programme, but quickly took to the skills learnt as they were excited and eager to learn more and see what the robot could do.
In Term 2 of 2022, new ITEs were appointed, Maggie Verster was hired as our eProject Lead, and the August ITEs were no longer beginners, but mentors to the new ITEs. And Concordia High School welcomed Brendon Plaaitjies and Ryan Talmaggies, both of whom would take over Concordia High School's LEGO Robotics Club. Being a mentor to them, brought about new challenges for me as I've never had to be a leader in a work place, but it was a challenges I was willing to take on.
My year with Edunova/KILT was coming to a close as the end date of my contract was coming up. I was sad to leave, but grateful for the opportunity that I was given, having grown out of my shell. However, In was in June that an extension of my contract, as well as others, was offered and I took that opportunity.
And thus, in Term 3, I became the Senior ITE at Concordia High School, earning the new role of "ITE Leader of Concordia High School" with many ITE changes between the schools: Zimkita to Thembelitsha Primary School as Senior ITE, Brendon Plaaitjies to Knysna Secondary School and Ryan Talmaggies to Regtevlei Primary School. And Concordia High School welcomed Roche Meyer.
And with the end of my contract the looming, I'm taking in all the experiences I have left with Edunova/KILT this year.