Student-Facilitators as University Tutors: An Effective Approach to Sustainability Education

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Sloan ◽  
Federico Davila ◽  
Eleanor Malbon
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Social Learning ◽  
Significant Role ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Sustainability Education ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
National University ◽  
Collective Experience ◽  
Sustainability Challenges

AbstractHigher education institutions are considered by many to be pivotal in shaping the next generation of thinkers and practitioners required to further work towards addressing the sustainability challenges faced by contemporary societies. The extent to which higher education has embraced this responsibility is debateable. Notwithstanding, this article reports upon our experience as three students employed as tutors in teaching sustainability to our undergraduate counterparts. Drawing upon our collective experience as both students and tutors within The Fenner School of Environment and Society of the Australian National University, we explore what makes student-facilitators part of an effective approach for sustainability education. Through this process, we describe some key practices that student-facilitators apply and which contribute to students’ understandings of sustainability. These key practices are: conceptualising what a tutorial should be; taking the position as a facilitator of discussion; using game-based activities; and the role that student-facilitators play in a community of social learning at the Fenner School. We conclude that the incorporation of student-facilitators in the teaching and learning of sustainability play a unique and significant role that should be valued, fostered and supported in higher education.

scholarly journals Contemporality & Supercontemporality – Criteria of Quality of Higher Education

2019 ◽  
pp. 3-25
Author(s):  
Volodymyr Lugovyi ◽  
Olena Slyusarenko ◽  
Zhanna Talanova
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Quality Of Higher Education ◽  
The Future ◽  
National University

The article, based on the information essence and mission purpose of higher education, substantiates the key criterion of the quality of the latter one – the contemporality and supercontemporality of the information being taught and studied and leads to the formation of competencies (qualifications). The sign «contemporaneous» and «supercontemporaneous» is interpreted as the relevance of information for the present and the future. According to the duration of the relevance of the information its characteristic is proposed - "shelf life", as well as the negative influence of inappropriate for consumption (non-contemporaneous) information - the concept of "negative value added" in the formation of human capital. It is proved that contemporaneous and supercontemporaneous information can be supplied from the past, present and future. Information on the future state of the subject of teaching and study is provided by research prognosis and prediction and on this basis, the innovative design (creation) of the future. It is argued that university leaders and leadership training at universities are based on contemporaneous and especially supercontemporaneous information. The system of measures for consolidation and concentration of shredded and dispersed higher education institutions of Ukraine was outlined with the aim of achieving their competitive potential, the ability to provide high-quality (contemporaneous and supercontemporaneous) higher education, to be leaders and to form leaders of progress. That system developed on the base of analysis of the parameters of the 31 extra-class universities, which rank at 1-30 places by the Shanghai Rating (ARWU) in 2018 and serve as an exemplary future for Ukrainian universities. These measures include the following. First, the introduction of a national university ranking of general and sectoral versions to identify the best, medium and backward higher education institutions, their further optimization (priority strengthening of the first, improvement of second, removal or rehabilitation of the third), as well as the formation of a culture of competitive leadership. Secondly, the creation of a leadership Association of Ukrainian Universities, such as the Association of American Universities, in order to determine the strategy and policy of modernizing the national university network, supporting the formation and further development of universities on the basis of leadership. Thirdly, the consolidation of institutions of higher education in order to create the necessary educational, research and innovative organizational, personnel, resource, infrastructure capacity, the ability to produce and offer contemporaneous and supercontemporaneous information for teaching and learning, the formation of appropriate competencies (qualifications) for its consumers (competitors). Fourthly, the consolidation and concentration of higher education institutions by combining them with the most experienced time-tested universities, while reviving the profile adequacy of the facilities available to them in their competitive professional capacities. Fifthly, the maintenance of the modernization of institutions of higher education through their consolidation and concentration by the obligatory creation of conditions for the implementation of the dual teaching and research function of teachers by reducing the training load, increasing wages, developing educational and research infrastructure, resource support.

Challenges Posed by Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for South African Higher Education Institutions

10.28945/2679 ◽  
2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
ME Herselman ◽  
HR Hay
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Revolutionary Change ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Teaching Learning

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.

Readiness of Universities for 21st Century Digital Economies: Case of Selected Lecturers from Universities in Buffalo City Metropolitan in Eastern Cape Province South Africa

10.31355/42 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 065-077
Author(s):  
Agyei Fosu
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Learning Management Systems ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Web Based Learning ◽  
Learning Management

NOTE: THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED WITH THE INFORMING SCIENCE INSTITUTE. Aim/Purpose...................................................................................................................................................................................................... The purpose of this study is to expand the knowledge base on factors likely to impede implementation and adoption of web-based learning management systems to blend with traditional methods of lecturing in universities to cater for the next generation of learners in Africa and Eastern Cape Province South Africa in particular. Background........................................................................................................................................................................................................ The shift from the industrial economies to 21st century digital and knowledge-based economies, fueled by rapid Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) such as Internet, YouTube, Chartrooms, Skype, Social media networks and its introduction to the educational system not only resulted in a new teaching approach globally but also paved way to usher in new generation of learners (anytime, anywhere learners) in the higher education system. Despite the fact that universities and other institutions of higher education in developed countries and some Africa countries have since recognized that the 21st century global digital and knowledge-based economies evolution has ushered in the next generation of learners, and as a result have taken the necessary steps to blend the traditional method of lecturing in higher education with web-based learning management systems in order to accommodate these learners. However, in Africa not much research have been done on the readiness of higher education institutions in terms of blending web-based learning management systems with the traditional method of lecturing to cater for the next generation of learners. Methodology....................................................................................................................................................................................................... Quantitative and two non-probability sampling methods, namely, quota and purposive sampling was used to investigate the technological skills of selected lecturers from universities within Buffalo City Metropolitan as one of the core component to check the readiness of their faculty for the next generation of learners. Contribution........................................................................................................................................................................................................ This research will add to the growing knowledge about the blending of web-based learning management with the traditional style of lecturing in higher education in the 21st century digital economies. Findings.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. The results indicated that the participating lecturers need to be trained and sup-ported in the skills of using of the ICTs and computer programs applicable to enhance web-based learning in teaching and learning environment in higher education in order to cater for the next generation of learners associated with the 21st century digital economies. Recommendations for Practitioners................................................................................................................................................................. Much as there is a need for increased in investment in infrastructure within higher education institutions to support teaching and learning, continuous sup-port and training for academics to be technologically literate and also be abreast on rapidly evolving field of ICTs is paramount as it can expedite the teaching and learning process in higher education. Recommendation for Researchers................................................................................................................................................................... There is the need to explore in depth the other two components suggested by Mishra and Koehler (2007) which can serve as barriers for successfully integration of technology into teaching and learning by locus of knowledge. Impact on Society............................................................................................................................................................................................... The research will assist stakeholders, policy makers and agencies tasked with transforming institutions of higher learning to identify the barriers likely to hinder transformation efforts and address them accordingly. Future Research................................................................................................................................................................................................. Conducting research on technological skills of students are critical in this context.

scholarly journals Developing a Learning Outcome-Based Question Examination Paper Tool for Universiti Putra Malaysia

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sa’adah Hassan ◽  
Novia Indriaty Admodisastro ◽  
Azrina Kamaruddin ◽  
Salmi Baharom ◽  
Noraini Che Pa
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Learning Outcome ◽  
Teaching Plan ◽  
Outcome Based Education ◽  
Programme Outcomes ◽  
Examination Paper

<p class="apa">Much attention is now given on producing quality graduates. Therefore, outcome-based education (OBE) in teaching and learning is now being implemented in Malaysia at all levels of education especially at higher education institutions. For implementing OBE, the design of curriculum and courses should be based on specified outcomes. Thus, the challenge for the assessment is that it should be capable of measuring whether intended outcomes have been achieved or not. Likely, by assisting lecturer in preparing examination paper that aligns with the specified outcomes is something that can help to ensure the implementation of OBE. Hence, this paper describes the development of a tool for generating question examination paper based on learning outcomes, called Learning Outcome-based Question Examination paper Tool (LoQET). LoQET is proposed for assisting lecturer in Universiti Putra Malaysia for preparing examination paper based on programme outcomes and learning outcomes set in the teaching plan and assessment entries.</p>

scholarly journals Implications of Excellence in Research and Teaching

2015 ◽  
pp. 13-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Wespel ◽  
Dominic Orr ◽  
Michael Jaeger
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Public Funding ◽  
Teaching Performance ◽  
Research And Teaching ◽  
Funding Mechanisms

Stratification of higher education is currently being driven by public funding schemes, among other things. Building on a survey of excellence funding initiatives across OECD member countries based on the measurement of excellence in higher education institutions, this contribution focuses on how teaching and learning are integrated into these highly selective funding mechanisms. It turns out that teaching performance is generally much less significant than research. Possible reasons and consequences for this result are discussed.

scholarly journals The impacts of international, national and institutional conditions for higher education on the primary processes of teaching and learning in the higher education institutions in Vietnam

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 47
Author(s):  
Truong Trinh
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
System Quality ◽  
Institutional Conditions ◽  
Vietnamese Higher Education ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

This paper describes how the international, national and institutional conditions affect the primary processes of teaching and learning in the Vietnamese higher education institutions. Under such influences, the Vietnamese higher education institutions are facing both challenges and opportunities in terms of the competitions among institutions. establishment of credit-based system, quality assurance and accreditation.

scholarly journals Attitudinal Barriers Encountered by Students with Disabilities in Higher Education Institutions

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nageswara Rao Ambati
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Andhra Pradesh ◽  
Peer Group ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Higher Education Curriculum ◽  
Attitudinal Barriers

The present study is an exploratory in nature. The papers aims to understand the attitudinal barriers encountered by students with disabilities in higher education institutions and its impact on their learning experiences. The study was conducted in the erstwhile State of Andhra Pradesh (now bifurcated in to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana), India. For this study, the researcher selected three universities in different parts of Andhra Pradesh by using purposive sampling. In the second phase the researcher interviewed 100 students with disabilities from the selected universities by using snowball sampling. For this study, quantitative and qualitative data analyses were used and in most cases quotes of real text for each theme were maintained and used extensively. The findings of the paper covered characteristics of students with disabilities, attitudinal barriers faced by them. The findings of the study suggests that changes are needed to be made, not only in the physical environment in which teaching and learning takes place, but also in the way in which higher education curriculum is organised, delivered and assessed and changes should also come in attitudes of teachers, university administration, peer group and public at large.

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