2017 Teaching and Learning Support Interventions (CTLM)

Rita Kizitofor Science Faculty28 -03-2017

The context

• Student demands for decolonisation of the curriculum

• Council of Higher Education calls for enhancement of epistemological access for students ( Wally Marrow)

• Proliferation of digitally-supported teaching learning

Agenda

• CTLM support interventions

• Challenges and Needs in faculties (see form)

• Way forward

The HEADS Team

DVC: Teaching & Learning

CAAR

Centre for Access

Assessment & Research

CTLM

Centre for

Teaching Learning & Media

SCCDC

Student

Counseling,

Career &

Development Centre

Higher Education Access & Development Services (HEADS)

Dean : Teaching & Learning

2017 CAAR Testing Results ( n= 177)

Selected BSc & Diploma Programmes

CT

LM

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terv

en

tio

ns

• Photography, Graphic design• Video conferencing• Video production• Audio Video Technology Solutions

1.CURRICULUM & TEACHING DEVELOPMENT

• Introduction to Teaching & Learning @ NMMU ( 3 day workshop)• Mentoring of New Academics – Peer • Scholarship of Teaching & Learning Certificate ( SOTLC1)• Academic Literacies through Multilingualism• Evaluation

2. ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR STUDENTS

• Supplementary Instruction ( SI)’• Mentoring, Tutoring , Advising - Keys to Success, Orientation, E – PAL• Academic Literacies through Writing ( Writing Centre)• Academic & Life Management Modules ( ALM)

3. BLENDED LEARNING

• Level 4 ( advanced - hybrid - assignments, assessment)• Level 3 ( Course materials, interaction, assignments)• Level 2 ( Course materials, interaction)• Level 1 ( online presence)

4. INTERGRATED MEDIA SERVICES

New additions

•8 online workshops•Re-curriculating•African

Philosophy of Education•Course Design

(Carpe Diem)•Electronic

Tutoring & Peer Assisted learning•OERs•E-assessment•Embedding

Social media•SOLTC2•SLPS •PG Dip (HE)• Integrated

Evaluation

Challenges & Needs in Faculties

What are the challengesexperienced by academic staff and students during teaching and learning in the faculty?1.2.3.4.5.

What kind of support does the faculty need?

1.2.3.4.5.

Change is the only constant…

• How can we ensure that we are developing the kinds of graduates from our courses and programs that are fit for an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous future?

• What should we continue to protect in our teaching methods (and institutions), and what needs to change?”

Age”

Tony Bates “Teaching in a Digital Age”

( 2016 p.13-14)

NMMU VISION AND MISISION

……be a dynamic African university, recognised for its leadership in generating cutting-edge knowledge for a sustainable future.

…… offer a diverse range of quality educational opportunities that will make a critical and constructive contribution to regional, national and global sustainability.

VIS

ION

MIS

SIO

N

A Distributed Leadership and progressively digitally -enhanced teaching & learning strategy

Main Task

Finding ways of increasing opportunities for staff & students to explore, renew and find solutions to the intellectual and practical challenges of improving Teaching & Learning at NMMU.

VisionAn institution that is visible and distinctive as a leader in Comprehensive HE teaching , learning and innovation.

Mission

To collaboratively build a common vision & culture of quality teaching and learning, through the integration and coordination of professional development, student academic development, research ,scholarly activities and program review and renewal, embedded in a culture of ‘distributed leadership’.(1)

(1) Distributed leadership is defined as a process that comprises both organisational and individual dimensions, and regards leadership as a resource and as an agency ( Tian, Risku & Collins, 2016)

Defining the “we”…

• Survey the

• External

• Landscape

Initial Surveys

• What is working ?

• What requires improvement?

In-house Review

• Solutionsto get there ?

• ( Digital)?

Long term goals

• What is to be monitored (measured)?

Select performance metrics

• Who will drive the project(S)?

• How will staff members in across the departments be galvanized ?

Determine steering team

A way forward?

“A model for Transforming Undergraduate STEM Education using Active Teaching & Learning Strategies”

Carl Wieman – Nobel Laureate Physics

“Time & Resources”

Challenges

• Academic staff buy-in and readiness to modify/renew teaching practices in order to improve student learning.

• Ensuring that changes introduced do not disrupt student learning.

• Adopting a team approach and maintaining collegiality.

• The university’s consistency in recognizing and rewarding teaching & learning efforts.

• Attaining commitment and harmonization across faculty & units to form an institutional identity, while retaining faculty uniqueness.

THANK YOU

References

Bates, T. (2016). Teaching in a digital age. Available at:[https://opentextbc.ca/teachinginadigitalage/]

Tian, M., Risku, M., & Collin, K. (2016). A meta-analysis of distributed leadership from 2002 to 2013: Theory development, empirical evidence and future research focus. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 44(1), 146-164.

Morrow, W. (2009). Bounds of democracy: Epistemological access in higher education.