The name Khanya is derived from a Xhosa language word meaning "to let the light shine", "to brighten", or "to illuminate". The Khanya project was established in 2001 by the Western Cape Education Department in South Africa to provide computer technology to schools. The objective was to use the technology as an illumination tool during the curriculum delivery process.

I had the privilege of being involved in this project from the start. Over the years I had many illuminations regarding the potential benefits of ICT in education. In e-culture terms, I received many e-luminations. The purpose of this blog is to present my personal e-luminations to all who have an interest in education, technology, or both. You are invited to add your comments and insights.

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      • Adapt or disappear
        03/31/07
        A few decades ago Computer Aided Design (CAD) software packages became commercially available. CAD software was developed as an aid to drawing technical diagrams; the software made it possible to draw diagrams in a few minutes that previously took draftsmen hours, if not days, to complete.
      • Movie - TV - PC
        03/28/07
        In 1922 Thomas Edison predicted boldly: "I believe that the motion picture is destined to revolutionize our educational system and that in a few years it will supplant largely, if not entirely, the use of textbooks. I would say that on the average we get only about two percent efficiency out o

      • The mother of invention
        03/25/07
        One of the most common technical problems in a school is the server that goes down. Owing to a variety of reasons, it often takes an unacceptably long period to get the server going again. During this time the computer facility is not used and curriculum delivery cannot take place.

        Or th

      • The cat's bell
        03/22/07
        As the number of schools using technology in the Western Cape is swelling, the need for a technical post in every school is becoming increasingly apparent.

        Many educators are doing excellent work in keeping their computer facilities going, but they are not technicians. Khanya is arrang

      • Bleeding edge
        03/19/07
        Computer technology is advancing at a mind boggling rate. The moment one purchases a piece of equipment it is already outdated. Hardware is becoming faster, better, smaller and software more sophisticated.

        People who love technology want to have access to the latest and greatest. One o

      • Get is a four-letter word
        03/14/07
        There is a great disparity between affluent schools and poor schools in the Western Cape. This is clearly seen in the distribution of ICT equipment.

        When the Khanya project started six years ago rich schools were well resourced and most poor schools had no computer equipment at all. O

      • The old hound
        03/11/07
        It is astounding how much wisdom is locked up in the brief, pithy fables of Aesop. Written more than two and a half millenniums ago, they contain universal truths that also find application in the very modern field of technology in education.

        Consider the story of the old hound. It goes

      • Horse and carriage
        03/06/07
        Years ago Frank Sinatra had a hit song with the words:

        Love and marriage, love and marriage
        Go together like a horse and carriage
        This I tell you brother
        You cant have one without the other

        A carriage without a horse is useless. Marriage without

      • Rules of thumb
        03/01/07
        In 1782 a judge in England, Sir Francis Buller, is reported as having made a legal ruling that English law allowed a man to beat his wife with a stick as long as it was no thicker than his thumb. This is the origin of the expression “rule of thumb”, which is now used to indicate an estimate based o

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