Learning and Teaching in the classroom I

17 April 2019

 Our school is called Honeycomb College and we are based in Johannesburg, South Africa. I am the principal. Our learning environment is based in Kempton Park, with small to medium size classrooms. We are 60 students. Although there is a mixture of cultures and languages, the main language of instruction is English.

We offer a GED readiness course to assist students to complete their studies towards a obtaining an American GED High School Equivalency Credential. Many of our students do not fit the frame of mainstream schooling in South Africa.

This system benefit students who never completed their high schooling due to leaving school early to unforeseen circumstances, students who previously homeschooled or students with learning difficulties such as ADHD. 

Some wish to pursue studies abroad and others seem to have entrepreneurial ideals. The required pass rate for GED is 75%, whereas the South African high school certificate is 33.3%.  

University acceptances are some of the challenges faced by our students. The GED is accredited in South Africa, however, the educational department universities seem to favour students completing their high schooling on the South African School Syllabus.

For me, learning can be defined as a need to absorb knowledge driven by personal development that aims to benefit the community on a micro or macro level depending on the level of learning achieved by an individual.

The students ability to learn play a big role in the learning process. If a student has learning difficulties such as ADHD they may be at a disadvantage to other students who do not have these learning challenges.

The condition of a school and the quality of text books students use also influence learning. The building, classrooms and text books is something a student needs to be proud of and must be in good order.

 Often, teacher’s temperament/personality play a role in how the student interacts during class. If the student receives positive feedback and encouragement from a teacher, chances are the student learning process will be favourable and will participate in the learning process.