scholarly journals Effective strategies in new curricula development at Higher Education Institutions in South Africa

Author(s):  
Wilfred Fritz ◽  
Toni Stringer ◽  
Anthony Staak

AbstractRe-curriculation is currently the most talked about topic in Higher Education in South Africa because of the new Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework alignment process required by all Higher Education Institutions. However, the lecturer in the classroom, especially new lecturers, are also faced with the task of designing the actual curricula of a subject once the new qualification is to be implemented, in terms of achieving the aims and objectives of the subject area. In other words, ensuring that the outcomes of the subject are achieved by the student. Ideally all lecturers at institutions of higher learning should develop strategies for their “own” curricula. Developing the aforementioned strategies might be challenging to first time lecturers. The methodologies of developing a new qualification and strategies for building curricula is discussed in this paper are different curriculum planning methods and strategies. The aforementioned strategies are focusing on students, mentoring, supportive tools such as software programmes, feedback and assessments. The findings of this paper are proper curricula development to enhance the ability to understand, recall and apply information. The main objective is to use proper curricula development to empower students with a diversity of cultures to understand the material presented by the lecturer. This paper concludes that curricula planning should allow students to be given space to grow and interact and ultimately attain deep life-long learning.

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Miemsie Steyn ◽  
Nicoleen Schuld ◽  
Cycil Hartell

This paper explores how the foundation phase subject area of “life skills” is being offered at (n= 9) higher education institutions (HEIs) in South Africa. The aim of the study, about which we report, was to identify similarities and differences in the curricula offered at these institutions and to establish the extent to which the different modules attend to the various aspects of life skills according to the most recent national curriculum. We conducted semi-structured interviews with participants who teach the subject at universities and we also analysed curriculum documents. We worked with a purposive sample of 9 respondents from the respective universities. The study found that although universities use the CAPS (national curriculum) document as guideline for structuring their curricula in teacher education programmes, some participants indicated that they follow an integrated approach, thereby implying that the different components of the school curriculum as outlined in the CAPS document are not specifically accommodated within their programmes. An additional finding was that there is a vast difference in the range of credits allocated to the various aspects of life skills that may restrict social mobility between various HEIs.


Author(s):  
Aravena Ramírez, Lorenzo D., Cornejo Espejo, Juan., Gajardo-Asbún, Karen P.

This research reveals the perception of teachers in General Basic Education Pedagogy regarding the disciplinary competencies in the subject of mathematics achieved during their initial training process. The results of the interviews applied to these professionals show a dissatisfaction with the mathematical knowledge received, considering that this has generated difficulties in their professional development since, from the perspective of the interviewees, higher education institutions did not fulfill their training role in this subject area.


10.28945/2679 ◽  
2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
ME Herselman ◽  
HR Hay

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are the major driving forces of globalised and knowledge-based societies of a new world era. They will have a profound impact on teaching and learning for two decades to come. The revolutionary change which is taking place in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), has dramatic effects on the way universities carry out their functions of teaching, learning and research, particularly on the creation, dissemination and application of knowledge. These developments pose unprecedented challenges to higher education institutions (HEIs) in developing countries particular in South Africa as South Africa is viewed as the leading country on the continent.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lombuso Precious Shabalala ◽  
Sisa Ngcwangu

Purpose This paper aims to present the results of an investigation on how a reciprocal relationship between the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) in South Africa and the surrounding communities can be used to accelerate the implementation of sustainable development goal 4 (SDG 4). The aim of this paper is to establish stakeholder perceptions on the role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in the development and implementation of sustainable community engagement (CE) projects geared towards the acceleration of SDG 4. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative methodology was adopted. This consisted of a presentation at UMP, an educational tour of the campus and discussion sessions with 3 education officials and 19 high schools representatives from Ehlanzeni District Municipality, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Content and narrative analysis were used to analyse the data obtained during the discussions. Findings The key findings indicate that a reciprocal relationship between HEIs and their surrounding communities can be used to accelerate the implementation of SDG 4 by positioning HEIs to take the lead with initiatives and implementation of CE projects. Research limitations/implications For HEIs to be in a better position to take a leading role in CE, they must guide without imposing, else it may lead to stakeholders losing interest. Practical implications The importance of a mutual working relationship between HEIs and communities becomes paramount, as it may lead to the realisation and acceleration of SDG 4 through CE. It is suggested that HEIs prioritise CE and also involve communities from the conceptualisation of any project. Originality/value The paper raises awareness and demonstrates the importance and possibilities of using CE towards the acceleration of the implementation of SDG 4 by HEIs.


Author(s):  
MOHD AFIQ RIDHWAN TARMIZU ◽  
BALAMURALITHARA BALAKRISHAN ◽  
MUHAMMAD FADHIL WONG ABDULLAH

Nowadays, the creative industry is rapidly developing with various technologies and creativity moving forward. However, problems and issues involving ethical aspects are still often seen on social media, television and print media, it clearly shows the lack of values and ethical aspects of the individual in the production of designs. Therefore, this study is conducted to propose the guidelines on ethical education design for creative industry programs in the institutions of higher learning. The objective of this study is to evaluate students' behavior towards design ethics among students of higher education institutions, evaluate teaching practices implemented by educators of higher education institutions as well as to assess challenges related to design ethics faced by creative industry professionals in submitting proposal regarding ethical education guidelines for creative industry programs. This study uses quantitative method which is the survey method in which questionnaires are distributed to respondents. For the sampling of studies, which is stratified sampling that refers to individual specific characteristic features in terms of his/her involvement in the creative industry. The numbers of respondents were 164 for the students, 108 respondents for the teaching staff and 89 respondents were from creative industry professionals. The findings of this study that are based on the mean value and standard deviation from the data collected through the survey study, show that students' behavior on ethical aspects is an important aspect of design ethics. Meanwhile, for the lecturers, the teaching practices implemented show that ethical aspects are a crucial element in the teaching sessions. Next, for the creative industry professionals, ethical aspects are considered as an important element in facing the challenges regarding design ethics. This is explained through the findings of students, lecturers and creative industry professionals through high recorded mean value. Therefore, it is clear that ethical aspects are a vital element to these three groups. Thus, a guideline on ethical education design for creative industry programs in institutions of higher learning is produced through the findings. Hence, this study provides a module on design ethics education that can be practiced in creative industry programs in Institutions of Higher Learning in Malaysia.


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