- Curriculum
- 1. We can’t do all the activities per term. The program is too full.
You are free to make your own selection.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(0) / No(2)Viewed 281 Times - 2. There is not enough repetition in a unit.
If we repeat skills too many times, we may make activities too long and we may not get to all the 300 skills that we are aiming to cover.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(1) / No(0)Viewed 212 Times - 3. The activities are too difficult for my class they can’t cope.
If this happens a lot, rather teach them from a grade lower. E.g. get the Grade 3 kids to do Grade 2 etc.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(1) / No(0)Viewed 190 Times - 4. The activities are too easy for my class.
If this happens a lot, rather teach them from a grade higher. E.g. get the Grade 2 kids to do Grade 3 etc.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(1) / No(0)Viewed 436 Times - 5. The activities are too short.
- If most of the class is finished early, try to fit in 2 activities in one lesson.
- There are bonus activities which the learners can do if they finish an activity and still have time.
- Remember you have all the free software at your disposal as well, for those smart kids who are way ahead of the pack.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(1) / No(0)Viewed 302 Times - 6. Why isn’t there more free exploration (like valentines card).
If the essentials are done in an activity, by all means, encourage the learners to explore!
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(1) / No(0)Viewed 169 Times - 7. Why is there so much jumping around from Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Why don’t we teach a programme per term and then in the 4th term do activities to assess what has been taught?
You are welcome to change the order in which you teach the activities.
The reason why we have a bit of everything in each unit, is to keep the learners on their toes and to avoid monotony.Was this answer helpful ? Yes(1) / No(0)Viewed 170 Times - 8. A lot of the grades are assessed for the same things e.g. opening Word. Surely once they can do it they don’t need to keep being assessed for it.
We like to repeat the assessment in order to accommodate new learners. It doesn’t disadvantage the ones who can do it and have been assessed on it, on the contrary.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(1) / No(0)Viewed 132 Times - 9. It works, so why change?
You can continue to use the same material for 2 years in a row. This is the Renew option.
But keep in mind that the CS4A team works on the curriculum all the time. Sometimes there are minor changes in grammar or spelling, but sometimes the changes are dramatic; like the alignment with ICDL in the 2015 issue and CAPS in the 2016 issue.
That is why you need to upgrade at least once every 3 years.Was this answer helpful ? Yes(1) / No(0)Viewed 448 Times - 10. Must I get an upgrade every year?
No, you can choose to renew for 2 years in a row. Then you need to upgrade.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(1) / No(0)Viewed 368 Times - 11. What is the difference between renew and upgrade?
When you renew, you keep using the same books, the same files etc. After all, the kids move up to another grade so for them it is new.
50% discount applies to the licence fee.
When you upgrade, you receive new books and a new CD with the latest issue of the curriculum. Uninstall the old one, install the new one and return the old books to us for disposal. 20% discount applies to the licence fee.
But whatever you do, you need to keep your licence current.Was this answer helpful ? Yes(1) / No(0)Viewed 376 Times - 12. Can I just renew the licence every year?
You can renew 2 years in a row, then upgrade, then renew again 2 years in a row etc. Because after 3 years, things have definitely changed and you don’t want to teach old skills.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(0) / No(0)Viewed 157 Times - 13. What if I don’t renew or upgrade?
Then your licence terminates and you need to uninstall the programme and return the course material (books and CD) as in the Single Site Licence Agreement (SSLA). Should the school want the curriculum again after that, they can repurchase, but they will lose the discount option.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(0) / No(0)Viewed 457 Times - 14. How do I know if my licence is current?
Three ways:
- There is a watermark across every page of the teachers’ guides with a licence expiry date.
- You will have received a pdf certificate that you may print and hang in the classroom.
- Invoice from CS4A and proof of payment from the school
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(1) / No(0)Viewed 457 Times - 15. What if we want to start halfway through the year?
You can purchase a licence for a term or 2 terms, then get the annual licence from the next January.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(1) / No(0)Viewed 407 Times - 16. What is a typical budget to buy this curriculum?
NB these are 2016 figures ; prices go up annually
1st year, new, Grade R-7 = R 6700
2nd year, renew = R 3350 (50% discount)
3rd year, renew = R 3350 (50% discount)
4th year, upgrade = R 5360 (20% discount)
etcWas this answer helpful ? Yes(2) / No(0)Viewed 237 Times - 17. Why do we need to return our course material? We paid for it!
You actually paid for the licence to be allowed to use the curriculum on the school’s premises for a certain period of time. The books and CD is just on loan for that duration. At CS4A, we destroy the returned copies to protect the material from unauthorised use. People who didn’t pay their licence should not be using it. That’s only fair to those who are legitimate users.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(1) / No(0)Viewed 313 Times - 18. Can I make a copy of the CD / books / pages?
No, the material is protected under common copyright law. You can order extra books for the teacher in case there are 2 different teachers taking the same grade.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(1) / No(0)Viewed 343 Times - 19. Can I order extra workbooks?
Yes and No. For Grade R – 7 the books are called Teacher’s Guides. They are only intended for the teacher. You can order an extra Teachers’ Guide in case there are 2 different teachers taking the same grade.
However, for Grade 7, you could put a book on every computer and let the kids use it themselves. This is too distracting for the younger ones.
Grade 8 and 9 is intended to be used as a workbook for the learners. Consider putting a book on every computer and let the kids use it during class. The licence includes the CD, and one workbook only (for the teacher)
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(1) / No(0)Viewed 405 Times - 20. My DVD doesn’t work!
We fully test each DVD before they get posted. Perhaps the DVD was damaged in the post?
Have you tried inserting the DVD into another computer? Does it give you the same problem?
If it does then you are welcome to send the DVD back to us so we can test it for you.Was this answer helpful ? Yes(1) / No(0)Viewed 500 Times - 21. Is there a faster way to install the programme? I have 50 computers in the computer lab.
You can use a network to install the programme on multiple computers at once.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(0) / No(0)Viewed 231 Times - 22. Can I print the assessment sheets?
Yes. Before you print, put the names in and sort A-Z. Then print Unit 1 sheet to help you mark.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(1) / No(0)Viewed 419 Times - 23. I really like your programme! Can I recommend it to another school I know?
Yes! Alternatively, you can give us the contact details of the school so we can speak to them directly.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(1) / No(0)Viewed 302 Times - 24. My question is too complicated to put here. Can I phone you?
Yes! You have unlimited free support via email or telephone. Our contact details are on our website www.cs4a.co.za.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(1) / No(0)Viewed 316 Times - 25. One of my children accidentally deleted the desktop shortcut to all the activities. What do I do now?
You can either uninstall the software and then reinstall it or else create the shortcut yourself. The curriculum is by default installed under Program Files\Computer Skills For Africa
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(1) / No(0)Viewed 319 Times - 26. I cannot see the Autorun.exe that the instructions refer to. How do I install the programme?
Try taking the DVD out and putting it back inside. If this doesn’t work, then you can also open up My Computer / Windows Explorer / File Explorer and right click on the DVD and choose Autoplay to launch the installer.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(1) / No(0)Viewed 269 Times - 27. My computer(s) got a virus from your DVD!
We test each DVD at Computer Skills For Africa before we send them to the school to make sure they work and have no viruses. We use Avast Endpoint protection Suite and have not had a virus in over 8 years.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(1) / No(0)Viewed 407 Times - 28. Our computers were stolen while the Licence was still running. What happens now?
The school must take care of security to prevent theft, and insurance so they can claim, replace and upgrade if it still happens. Inform us, so we may suspend your licence for a time.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(0) / No(0)Viewed 304 Times - 29. Our computers can’t take the upgraded version of the curriculum. Can the CS4A licence be renewed for a 3rd year or more?
Inform us, so we may extend your licence for a time.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(0) / No(0)Viewed 132 Times - 30. The computer teacher left/is leaving, what must we do?
The new computer teacher can contact us for guidance, NB the school needs to make sure the course material (books and DVD) are given to the new teacher and that the teacher who is leaving does NOT take any course material or copies with them - the school paid for the licence.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(0) / No(0)Viewed 220 Times - 31. How do we know if there are any updates to the SSLA?
The latest version is always on the CS4A website. We will send out a Mailchimp newsletter about any significant changes, when and if they happen.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(0) / No(0)Viewed 425 Times - 32. At what grade can I recommend my learners to do ICDL?
The CS4A curriculum for Grade 8 and 9 completely covers 5 of the ICDL modules. Grade 8 can write 2 and Grade 9 can write 3 modules.
If you have been teaching our curriculum throughout primary school, then Grade 7 learners can sign up to write their E-Learner exam, preferably after 3 or more years’ computer classes. E-Learner is similar to ICDL but aimed for primary school level students. Click HERE to learn more about E-Learner.Was this answer helpful ? Yes(0) / No(0)Viewed 400 Times - 33. Can I run the curriculum on my phone?
No, our curriculum cannot run on a phone.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(0) / No(0)Viewed 411 Times - 34. Can I run the curriculum on Linux?
No, our curriculum is not designed to run on Linux.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(0) / No(0)Viewed 384 Times - 35. In Gr 1, some files use uppercase, some lowercase exercise and some are there twice. Why?
The teacher can choose either one or both activities can be done.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(0) / No(0)Viewed 227 Times - 36. Can I install a Teacher and Learner installation on the same PC?
If you and your student both use the same computer, then you only need to install the Teachers Installation, as this installation contains all the activities as well as all the teacher's files.
There will be 2 icons on your desktop, one for the student which opens up the folder containing all the activities and another icon for the teacher, which takes you to all the teacher's admin files.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(0) / No(0)Viewed 203 Times