Washington State University (WSU) and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) collaborated to increase the number of teachers trained to integrate technology into instruction by training teachers and establishing a teaching and learning network between U.S. and South African schools and the partner universities.

The U.S. director, accompanied by the principal of Mt. Spokane High School (MSHS), visited South Africa to share knowledge and to highlight the success stories and lessons learned from efforts to create high-tech high schools in the State of Washington. The U.S. director and MSHS’s principal also launched an online project between students and teachers at a South African high school and MSHS.

The partners jointly sponsored three workshops for teachers at schools involved in the Gauteng Online Project—an ambitious plan to bring technology to all schools in Gauteng Province.  The workshop content is now being adopted in courses for honor-level Bachelor of Education and Master’s level students. The Gauteng Online Project personnel drew on the results of the workshops as a pilot to direct further efforts.  The collaboration also strengthened the relationship between the Gauteng Department of Education and Wits.