Helena (Lalien) Cilliers Email & Phone Number

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Working at Via Afrika means creating exciting digital content and courseware for young and old, novice and expert. In my role as Content Development Manager, most of my daily tasks has to do with ICT and EdTech. We've done some inspring work: from the development of ebooks with embedded multimedia and interactive content, which I managed, to the creation of mobile apps (from augmented reality apps to an app that streaming low-data indigenous fiction on a feature phone).Closest to my… Show more Working at Via Afrika means creating exciting digital content and courseware for young and old, novice and expert. In my role as Content Development Manager, most of my daily tasks has to do with ICT and EdTech. We've done some inspring work: from the development of ebooks with embedded multimedia and interactive content, which I managed, to the creation of mobile apps (from augmented reality apps to an app that streaming low-data indigenous fiction on a feature phone).Closest to my heart is the Via Afrika Digital Education Academy, where I managed the creation of 72 two-hour training sessions (as well as their online versions) to help teachers understand how to use tablets in their classrooms. I also act as an ICT trainer for these courses, and find preparing teachers for the implimentation of elearning in their schools inspiring and energising. I was involved with the setting up of digital content for the Via Afrika Digital Education Centres - "digital libraries" housed in repurposed shipping containers placed at schools. I managed the initial creation of a training curriculum and regularly visited Itemeleng VADEC for teacher tablet, app, change management and general ICT training. I have been involved with local and national conferences and digital shows as a presenter, host, and speaker, and I have been interviewed on national radio and television programmes. Living in beta is fun!Believing that education is an ongoing persuit, I just handed in my Master in Educational Technologies after having completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Technologies at the University of Cape Town two years ago. I have a big online footprint as Lalien Cilliers and other than personal social media accounts, I also run the EdTechnified Facebook Page, and several blogs. Show less

Cape Town

I managed a team tasked with digitising printed textbooks into two formats: EPUB3 for use on tablets, and "flipbooks" on CD for use on desktop computers. The ebooks in both formats were enhanced with multimedia and/or interactive learning objects such as audio assets, slideshows, animations, videos, simulations, and interactive activities for learners to complete. A fascinating aspect of my job was the synergies with various role players in the digital market and our journey towards the… Show more I managed a team tasked with digitising printed textbooks into two formats: EPUB3 for use on tablets, and "flipbooks" on CD for use on desktop computers. The ebooks in both formats were enhanced with multimedia and/or interactive learning objects such as audio assets, slideshows, animations, videos, simulations, and interactive activities for learners to complete. A fascinating aspect of my job was the synergies with various role players in the digital market and our journey towards the creation of cross-platform content. Show less

At Future I was involved in a team providing teaching, assessment and learning materials for schools on CD, in Word and PDF format. I was further tasked with the project management of a multi-year project where we translated and localised an international interactive, multimedia maths and literacy program into Afrikaans and English for the South African market. I managed a number of teams, each with their own reports (instructional development, translation, localisation and quality… Show more At Future I was involved in a team providing teaching, assessment and learning materials for schools on CD, in Word and PDF format. I was further tasked with the project management of a multi-year project where we translated and localised an international interactive, multimedia maths and literacy program into Afrikaans and English for the South African market. I managed a number of teams, each with their own reports (instructional development, translation, localisation and quality management), and liaised with our international partners in Ireland, the USA, and India. As the Projects and Academic Manager, I also had a number of other smaller projects, including providing quality assurance for the development of an interactive pen, visual and audio support materials on DVDs, and was often called upon to assist our company directors with marketing presentations and digital training. Show less

Master’S Degree, Educational/Instructional Technology

Research dissertation for Masters in Educational Technology completed with the topic: "Exploring fragmentation in the elearning landscape.

Postgraduate Diploma In Educational Technology, Educational/Instructional Technology, (With Distinction)

Subjects: Emerging technologies in education; Online learning design; Research and evaluation of emerging technologies; Learning, teaching.

Mmp, Project Management, Media Management

Higher Diploma In Education, Education, (With Distinction)

Awarded the FAK medal for the best postgraduate HDE student in Afrikaans linguistics at the university.

Bachelor'S Degree, Drama, Theatre, And Afrikaans