Peer teaching is the way to go!

I teach FET College students, who have almost not understanding of what a computer is and how it should be used. Many of my students argue that they were never taught about computers at school. They claimed that they only got exposed to the world of computers when they reached College level.  I wonder how will such students make it in a fast changing environment, where computers have become the order of the day?  I think teachers need to take a hard look at themselves, and make necessary effort to effect change in the lives of many students who, one way or another need to know what a computer is and how to operate.  Learning online is also a growing phenomena and many students need to know what a computer is and how to operate it.  CHANGE CHANGE

Students learn science to become scientists. However, they also need to learn writing skills in a specific language i.e English in order for them to communicate their new discoveries with other people.  In addition, a scientist needs to pass Life Orientation or Life skill class in order to know how to function as part of the community within where he or she would be doing their scientific research. Furthermore, a scientist would need geography knowledge and skill to be able to locate good places at which they can do their research and other things.  Interestingly, a scientist would need political science education in order for him or her to know the expectations of the political landscape at which he or she resides.  So many other related areas could be drawn into the picture, the bottom line is that there is no one subject is important than another.  

Barriers to learning and development are a major disturbance to students academic progress.  Mostly, lecturers assume that students fail because of lack of interest in their studies or because they don't want to be part of the learning process. Identifying the real challenge causing a delay in how the students learns is important.  I have noticed that sometimes invisible physical conditions of students can impact their learning negatively. For instance, I have a short sighted student in my class and he had challenges following our classroom discussion. We were working on computers and he had trouble seeing letters and words on the computer monitor.  I couldn't diagnose that he was struggling until after class when he approched me and siad, "Sir I have a problem." It was that phrase that made me wonder, "what is it now?" fortunately, he explained the situation and thereafter, I had to set up his work station and explain things to him on one one session with h