ISPA SuperTeacher Competition 2019

Register for the #ispasuperteachers 2019 competition
Press release #ispasuperteachers 2019

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Background
The ISPA SuperTeacher Competition is an annual competition sponsored by the Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA) and WASPA.  The competition is managed by the Digital Education Institute and has been running since 2001! The aim back then was to support the ISPA Train the Teacher ICT Project by encouraging teachers, new to using ICT in their classrooms and schools, to innovate and show off their achievements. It has nurtured many teachers who have since progressed to become leaders in the field of ICT in education! 

This year we will be going back to basics by focusing on classroom practice across the curriculum and will be looking for that ONE amazing technology infused lesson plan that will showcase the effective and innovative use of ICT by both teachers and their learners!  Teachers will be encouraged to use any topic from their subject area (CAPS curriculum) that they will be teaching before the June holidays to create their perfect lesson plan. 

We are hoping to use this competition to create an open collection of model lesson plans that will showcase the effective, creative and innovative use of ICT in every subject and classroom from grade 0 to 12! 

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Read what previous winners and finalists  say about entering the competition

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What is the aim this year?
The ISPA SuperTeachers Competition gives educators an opportunity to showcase their skills in using Information Communication Technologies (ICT) in their classrooms. All teachers participating in this year's competition must answer the following question: ​

What topic in my subject curriculum (CAPS) will lend itself to the most amazing lesson, using all the technologies at me and my learners disposal" (from only 1 cellphone to laptops, desktops, tablets, learner cellphones, ipads, whiteboards, data projectors, apps, tools, robots, AI, VR…)?"

Who are eligible to enter?
​All teachers currently teaching at schools throughout South Africa. 

What will be required for entry?
Teachers will be taken through an online process of registration and creating an ICT enhanced lesson plan for submission. This lesson plan will have to be implemented with their learners before the June holidays, so planning is essential.  To access the competition portal and support forums, you will need to have internet access. 

Categories

This year we will only have two categories. All previous finalists are encouraged to enter for either one of the categories, depending on their school quintile status.

​Please note that this year no projects will be accepted and only lesson plans directly relating to a specific topic within a grade subject area will be accepted. There should be a special emphasis on the use of learner centered strategies. 

Category 1:
​ISPA SuperTeacher Award

•  This award encourages teachers from under resourced schools to start using ICT within their classrooms and in their lessons.
• Teachers at Quintile 1 to 3 schools (under resourced schools) are invited to enter.
• We are looking to identify a teacher who is going from zero to hero in using ICT in his or her classroom!
• ​Previous finalists and entrants may re-enter.
• Previous winners may not enter this category, even if they are in an under resourced school, but can enter into  Category 2. 

Category 2:
​ISPA Tech Teacher Award

• This award is open to all educators at well resourced schools (Quintile 4 & 5 as well as private schools).
• Previous finalists (from all previous categories) and previous winners may re-enter.
• We are looking for the teacher who can transform their classroom by using all the ICT equipment and tools at their disposal to create a learner centered lesson that will not only inspire, but will also push the boundaries of classroom innovation. 

The Process

• Decide on a topic that falls within your subject curriculum area (CAPS) that you will be teaching this term or next term. 
  • ​Note the CAPS curriculum alignment. You will need this when you register: 
  • Think about a topic heading as well as a brief description of what your lesson will be all about. 
  • Note: You will be able to change your lesson topic and upload a new topic, if you so choses before the cutoff date (28 June 2019)
• Complete the registration form here: www.competition.dei.org.za
• After registration, you will be taken through a series of stages and steps  on the competition portal, that will enable you to create, implement and submit your lesson plan. 
• All entrants will be invited to join the ISPASuperteachers 2019 Facebook social learning support group, where you will learn a lot, attend webinars and share your ideas and lesson plan with others for input and support. 
• Winners are selected on the basis of a PORTFOLIO OF EVIDENCE that best showcases their ICT in Education lesson plan in their chosen subject focus area. 
  • Entrants have until the deadline date (28th June 2019) to upload their lesson plan information and complete all the stages presented to them on the competition portal. 
  • Classroom evidence in video/photo format has to be uploaded.  If photos are used, it has to clearly reflect the goals and outcomes of the lesson. (e.g pictures of learners working on tablets will not clearly illustrate the actual lesson topic).
• The winning teachers will be selected by a PANEL OF JUDGES appointed by the Digital Education Institute.​
• 10 Finalists will be chosen to attend a WASPA sponsored ICT workshop at the iWeek 2019 conference in Johannesburg and the Gala Award Ceremony where the winners will be announced. 
• By entering the competition, teachers agree to their lesson plans being made available to other teachers, as an open educational resource (OER SCORM Object). 

Deadlines

REGISTRATION OPENS:  Friday 1 March 2019.
REGISTRATION CLOSES:  Friday 3 May 2019 at 17h00
​COMPETITION CLOSES: Friday 28 June 2019 at 17:00

Prizes

The 10 finalists will be invited to attend the ISPA SuperTeacher Awards Ceremony at the prestigious iWeek conference in Johannesburg at the Indaba Hotel (Date still to be announced)
 
The winners of the 2019 ISPA SuperTeacher Competition will be announced at a glittering Gala Dinner Reception.
 
The winners of each of the three 2019 ISPA SuperTeacher Competition categories will win a substantial Mystery Prize in addition to a subscription to The Mighty Pen EDUCATION Magazine. The Mighty Pen EDUCATION magazine (a monthly digital magazine distributed to over 5 000 principals and schools) will offer the winners of the ISPA Super Teacher Awards a free lifetime subscription to the digital magazine, which they will receive in their email Inbox every month. The principals of the winning schools will also receive the digital magazine and may freely distribute it to their staff.
 
The magazine will also offer the winning schools a free double page spread feature to be used as a school profile highlighting the history and achievements of the school. The principals can liaise directly with the editor and send through the content and photos. The magazine will do the layout and publish the school profile.