Dear Commons Community,

This morning I met with the Director of Academic Development and Support at the Vaal Triangle Campus, Esmarie Strydom, and her staff to discuss issues regarding technology integration and blended learning.  Marieta Jansen van Vuuren demonstrated several “smart guides” that are designed to support specific courses.  A smart guide is an electronic version of a study guide that includes a syllabus, topic presentations, activities, and resource materials that students can use to navigate through a course.  They were well-done.  Lance Bunt, a part time member of Esmarie’s staff and a full-time student is pictured above with me after I had given him a replica cap of the New York Fire Department.  Lance is quite a talented young man who has a keen eye for media design. He has attended several of my workshops and presentations while in South Africa.

I had lunch with Linda Du Plessis, Vice-Rector (Provost in our parlance) of the Vaal Campus and Aldine Oosthuyzen, Director of Information Technology.   We discussed a number of topics including technology planning, distance education, and learning management systems.

I had dinner at an Indian Restaurant with Marieta Jansen van Vuuren, her husband, Adriaan, and her son, Etienne.  Adriaan is an executive with one of the leading steel companies in South Africa, and Etienne is a law student.  A most pleasant evening.

Tony