Blog

  • Making a group decision
    By Femke@bentec.co.za Recently, I asked two similar groups of university students to make a group decision. The decision was about nominating one person in the group that made the biggest impression in presenting their final assignment. I asked them how they would like to decide who would be nominated. Should … Continue reading Making a group decision
  • Crashing doorsteps
    [A comment on the book “The economy on your doorstep” (TEOYD) by Ayabonga Cawe.] By Ronald@bentec.co.za Acts of violent sabotage and a wave of mass looting engulfed South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces as I was reading this book. These events were triggered by the imprisonment of former president Jacob … Continue reading Crashing doorsteps
  • Popular or participatory education?
    Ronald@bentec.co.za In my work as a popular educator I often struggle with the tension between the different ways popular education is understood. The many views can be located between two poles. People on the first pole would see popular education as a method to support self-mobilisation of oppressed communities for … Continue reading Popular or participatory education?
  • COVID realities: shifting boundaries
    By femke@bentec There is a lot of boundary shifting happening in geographical, professional and in social terms. How does this affect human behaviour and habits?  Due to lockdown measures such as curfews, social distancing and working from home, most connecting is taking place within the confines of the home. Homes … Continue reading COVID realities: shifting boundaries
  • Zoom teaching: background reflections
    By femke@bentec Imagine a university classroom with 15 students sitting in a circle. The students are surrounded by blank walls, tables, a whiteboard and perhaps a projector. Some will be watching their phones screens, some sit with their legs crossed, some talk about an upcoming assignment deadline and others might … Continue reading Zoom teaching: background reflections