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Introducing 'Mash Matters' - Transforming Your Classroom

? This Week's Highlight: AI in Education

Did you know? The term 'artificial intelligence' was first coined by John McCarthy in 1956 at a conference at Dartmouth College. Some early AI programs, like ELIZA from the 1960s, could mimic conversations with humans and laid the foundation for today’s chatbots. AI has experienced periods of immense optimism ('AI summers') and reduced funding ('AI winters'), reflecting fluctuating public and academic support. Today, AI is transforming industries, including education, by creating personalized learning experiences and automating tasks, giving teachers more time to focus on learners.

The Breede Digi Cluster schools, part of the Stellenbosch University SUNCEP enrichment program, have embarked on an innovative journey integrating Purple Mash as a pivotal teaching and learning tool. Coordinated by the dedicated Senior Project Manager, Candice Zandberg, these schools are setting a benchmark in leveraging educational technology to enhance learning outcomes.

World Environment Day, celebrated on June 5th, is a global event organized by the United Nations to raise awareness about environmental issues. The theme for 2024 is #GenerationRestoration, focusing on restoring ecosystems and addressing urgent environmental challenges. Here, we offer a variety of activities and resources to help schools participate and educate students on the importance of ecosystem restoration. Help raise awareness and understanding of the environmental issues facing our planet in your classroom with these Purple Mash activities.

Prove learning within Purple Mash with the new Data Dashboard. Assign curriculum objectives to 2Do's, make customised judgements against them and see all your Purple Mash data in one handy place.

On World Ocean Day, 8th June, people around our blue planet will be coming together to celebrate and honour our ocean. The ocean connects us all, between countries and across the world and by working together, we must protect and restore our oceans. The 2024 Action Theme is 'Catalyzing Action for Our Ocean and Climate', whilst continuing to support the growing 30x30 movement, which was last year's theme (to protect at least 30% of our blue planet by 2030).

To teach your students about World Oceans Day, we have several resources on Purple Mash that you can use.