In Design and Technology children are taught how to use knowledge, skills and resources to meet human needs and desires. This they do by designing, making and evaluating products and processes.
Design and Technology is concerned with practical problems and is ideal in the way that it relates to all subjects and combines them.
Information technology forms an integral part of a St George's Prep education and there is internet access throughout the school. Every classroom at both the Pre-Primary and the Prep has a computer for teaching purposes. In addition there are interactive whiteboards and data projectors in all classrooms from Grade 1 to Grade 7 and the Music Department. One seldom walks past a classroom where the SMARTboard is not in use and these have added an exciting dimension to lessons. Older pupils are encouraged to present projects and orals on the SMARTboards.
Handheld testing devices are available to use to answer multiple choice tests posted on the SMARTboard. Each pupil enters their answers onto a remote which links to the teacher's computer and results are automatically generated.
The Library is equipped with three computers for internet research and the Academic Support and German Departments also have their own computers. Foreign pupils who are learning English make use of specialised language software.
All pupils from Grade 0 to Grade 7 attend computer classes taught by specialist teachers. We follow the Knowledge Network® curriculum, which is widely used by both independent and state schools in South Africa. Teachers attend regular training sessions hosted by Knowledge Network® and pupils from Grade 4 to 7 sit the Knowledge Network® exam relevant to their grade. This provides us with a benchmark as to how our pupils are performing, as they need to obtain 70% or more in order to qualify for a certificate. In the 2010 exams 90% of our children obtained their Knowledge Network certificates. For more information on the curriculum please visit www.knowledgenetwork.co.za.
