scholarly journals Together but Not Together: Challenges of Remote Learning for Students Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic in Rural South African Universities

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-226
Author(s):  
Newlin Marongwe ◽  
Rufaro Garidzirai
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Black Universities ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
The Media ◽  
Rural Institutions ◽  
Higher Institutions ◽  
Remote Learning

The purpose of the study was to examine the challenges of remote learning that were faced by students in four rural institutions of higher learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It is well documented that in South Africa as well as globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the teaching and learning in higher institutions of education. A call was made by the Department of Higher Education and Training that mandated universities to adopt remote learning to save the academic year. That call was a blanket statement that did not consider the context of different universities, given the inequalities that existed prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 between the historically disadvantaged universities and the well-established ones. The study adopted a qualitative approach that made use of a desktop research methodology, as well as the media (Television, radio and newspapers), and social media as sources of data gathering to document the challenges. One of the key findings was that some students studying at rural institutions of higher learning experienced challenges of limited skills as well as the convenience of and access to technology and other tools of trade. The paper concludes that such students were proposing that, ‘we are together but not together”. The root of such grievance is that they were grossly affected by the geographical and historical position of the universities they were enrolled at and the situation was deepened and exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper recommends the equal redistribution of resources especially to previously disadvantaged Black universities. The paper further recommends that the Department of Education introduce online learning to students from as early as high school so that there will be continuity and ease in remoting learning.

A Contextualized Model for Virtual Learning in Higher Institutions

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 60-81
Author(s):  
Mmatshuene Anna Segooa ◽  
Billy Mathias Kalema
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
South African ◽  
Virtual Learning ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Mind Set ◽  
Higher Institutions ◽  
Different Levels

This study aimed at designing a contextualized Virtual Learning model that suits South African institutions of higher learning. The study identified factors necessary for contextualizing VLE to fit the student's perspective in developing countries. Literature was reviewed to identify the contextualizing factors, based on which a research model was designed and validated using data collected from students at different levels of learning at Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa. The study used quantitative approach and the data was analysed using statistical package called Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Results indicated that, compatibility, complexity, technological factors, organisational and environmental issues as well as mind-set are significant factors for VLEs contextualization. This study contributes theoretically by bridging the gap in literature and apposite model informing the development of VLEs in developing countries. Practically, the findings of this study will be leveraged by institutions of higher learning that want to implement VLEs within their settings.

The Ambit of Ethics in the South African Academic Institutions

2021 ◽  
pp. 24-58
Author(s):  
Xolani Mathews Shange
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Historically White ◽  
Freedom Of Association ◽  
Black African ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
Postgraduate Studies ◽  
Higher Institutions ◽  
African Intellectuals ◽  
Ethical Clearance

The chapter examines possible use of instruments and processes such as ethical clearance in the institutions of higher learning as subtle means of perpetuating inequality and racial prejudice towards the indigenous people of South Africa who had recently emerged from the scourge of apartheid with a hope of democracy ultimately providing not only freedom of association and speech, but also intellectual freedom. Freedom to produce African-based knowledge by Black African intellectuals pursuing their postgraduate studies and academics whose careers are at formative stages. However, their vision of becoming producers of African Indigenous knowledge is thwarted by subtle and invisible activities that are aimed at perpetuate coloniality in the higher institutions of learning. Sadly, ethical clearance process has possibly been utilized to derail research outputs that some of the old guard from historically white universities are uncomfortable to witness, thus continuing to maintain the colonial status quo.

scholarly journals Decolonisation and Rehumanising through Reclaiming the Humanities in ODEL

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 178-196
Author(s):  
Callum Scott ◽  
Yolandi Coetser
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
Academic Administrators ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
The Face ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Utilitarian Approach ◽  
The University

Due to an oft held presupposition by academic administrators that the humanities lack utility, it is common for humanities scholars to be fearful of the demise of our disciplines in institutions of higher learning. In a number of western institutions, humanities departments have been closed based upon this logic. Locating the discussion within the South African academy and based particularly upon the pedagogical experience of the University of South Africa, the authors note an emerging juxtaposition to the western utilitarian approach toward humanities. The decolonial turn is gaining traction in neo colonies and offers an approach away from western positivist-inspired reductivism. Therefore, from within the decolonial milieu, a recovery of the importance of researching and teaching themes of the human can arise when the conception of the person is integrally restored. We argue that when dominant knowledge systems are dislodged, space is created for epistemic plurality by which epistemic re-centring occurs. Doing philosophy in the decolonial environment affords the privilege of reclaiming humanity in the face of its neo colonial mutilation. This is even more so, when philosophy is taught through the dispersed mode of open, distance, and e-learning (ODeL), an andragogy that encourages recentring and decolonisation in both the theory and praxis of teaching and learning.

scholarly journals Monitoring and Evaluation on Effective Delivery of Social Studies for Improved Academic Performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 175
Author(s):  
Chukwu, Chinyere Loveth ◽  
Mezieobi, Dan I. ◽  
Uguwanyi, Benedict Ejiofor ◽  
Okpoebo, Casmir Chukwudi
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Social Studies ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Learning Processes ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Evaluation Team ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
Evaluation Of Teaching ◽  
Higher Institutions

Monitoring and evaluation is very crucial in attaining targeted goals, especially in social studies. Social studies teacher mode of service delivery rub-off on the level of academic performance of students. It is very imperative that monitoring and evaluation mechanism be put in place to check how social studies lecturers in institutions of higher learning execute their lecture. In primary and secondary levels of education, the Ministry of education, from time to time send inspectors to schools to supervise the teaching and learning processes going on in schools. School heads are also mandated to supervise teaching and learning processes in their schools, this mechanism goes a long way to checkmate teachers’ excesses but this is lacking in institutions of higher learning, and appears to be responsible for the lackadaisical attitude to work by some lecturers. Such attitudes include absent from lecture, late coming to lecture among others. This paper therefore looked at the importance of monitoring and evaluation of teaching processes of social studies in higher institutions of learning, uses of monitoring and evaluation, among others and conclude that internal monitoring and evaluation team be established in higher institutions, to ensure adequate monitoring and evaluation of teaching and learning of social studies in institutions of higher learning for effective implementation of social studies contents among others.

scholarly journals Investigating The Challenges Of E-Learning In A Developing Institution Of Higher Learning: A Hypothetical Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 83-96
Author(s):  
Albert Tchey Agbenyegah ◽  
Bongani Innocent Dlamini
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Internet Technologies ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
Part Time ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Ict Infrastructure ◽  
Higher Institutions

The popularity of e-learning (EL) largely infiltrated into every sector of South African institutions of higher learning. This growing interest in EL is due to the advent of rapid internet technologies. For decades, South African institutions of higher learning have accepted EL as a vital learning tool for the enhancement of learning and teaching within the higher education sector. However, there are countless challenges that continue to hinder learning and teaching activities. This study seeks to determine the relationships between various challenges and EL capabilities through stated hypotheses. The study is a descriptive, qualitative design aided by a quantitative approach that were applied to collect data. In total 150 full and part-time ICT students including four permanent ICT lecturers participated in the study. By means of statistical methods of descriptive, inferential statistics aided by independent t-tests, three stated hypotheses were formulated and tested. The study therefore, recommends that higher institutions of learning should increase investments in various EL programs including relevant ICT infrastructure development and also in levels of connectivity. The study further recommends that EL contents should be designed taking into account the cultural characteristics of students.

Developing information literacy courses for students through virtual learning environments in Tanzania: Prospects and challenges

IFLA Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 034003522110182
Author(s):  
Evans F Wema
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environments ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Virtual Learning ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Virtual Learning Environments ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
The Face

This article reviews literature on the use of virtual learning environments by highlighting their potential and the challenges of introducing the same in Tanzania. It introduces the concept of virtual learning environments by demonstrating their applications to support teaching and learning. The article discusses the use of virtual learning environments in teaching information literacy courses by highlighting the success of using such tools in facilitating the teaching of information literacy courses to library users. In this review, special emphasis is placed on attempts by Tanzanian institutions of higher learning to introduce web-based teaching of information literacy and the challenges faced. The review reveals the need for Tanzanian institutions of higher learning to develop virtual learning environments to facilitate the teaching of information literacy courses to students and faculty so as to reach many of those who may not manage to attend the face-to-face information literacy sessions that are offered by librarians on a regular basis.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review of Challenges in Research Supervision at South African Universities

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
King Costa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
South African ◽  
National Development ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Research Supervision ◽  
Knowledge Based Economy ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning

Postgraduate students in South Africa and other parts of the world, particularly in developing nations struggle to complete the research component of their studies. According to the National Development Plan ( 2013) it has become a requirement for South African institutions to play a pivotal role in knowledge production so as to transform South Africa from a resource-based economy towards a knowledge-based economy.  In pursuit of meeting this requirement and further to increase subsidy from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), South African institutions of higher learning have been on the drive for recruiting postgraduate students en masse. One of the main problems facing South African institutions is that the number of students enrolled does not correspond to those who graduate at the end of the postgraduate programme study period.  This study is a systematic review of literature on challenges in postgraduate supervision and further proposes a possible solution.  Five South African institutions of higher learning’s postgraduate throughput data is carefully studied and substantiated by previous research on postgraduate supervision challenges on these particular institutions. Study findings present challenges related to research capacity development and burden of supervision at these institutions.  Collaborative methods of supervision such as the C.O.S.T.A model are hereby proposed as possible solutions to the current throughput problem in South Africa.

scholarly journals PELAKSANAAN PENGAJARAN DAN PEMBELAJARAN KURSUS PENGAJIAN MALAYSIA: KAJIAN TINJAUAN DI UNIVERSITI ISLAM ANTARA BANGSA SELANGOR

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hairol Anuar Hj Mak Din ◽  
Khairul Hamimah Mohd Jodi ◽  
Faridah Che Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Graduation Requirement ◽  
Teaching Aids ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
Implementation Assessment ◽  
General Studies

The Malaysia  Education Blueprint 2015-2025 clearly shows the aspirations of the Higher Education Ministry on the importance of applying national identity among graduates at Higher Education Institutions. In line with the wishes, the course of Malaysia Studies is a major medium for the building of patriotism values among students. Hence, the Malaysian Studies Course was strengthened and used as one of the General Subjects (MPUs) conducted by all Institutions of Higher Learning. All citizens and non-citizens are required to attend and pass the Malaysian Studies Course as a graduation requirement. In order to make the course more interesting and interactive, the Teaching And Learning method is always improved to achieve the predetermined learning outcomes. Thus, a study using a quantitative approach has been undertaken to identify students' responses to the implementation of the Malaysian School of Excellence in KUIS. The Teaching And Learning implementation assessment for this course is based on scoring components, teaching staff and teaching aids. The findings show that Teaching And Learning implemented in Malaysian Studies courses is relevant and capable of applying the elements of identity and patriotism among students. Keywords: Teaching And Learning, General Studies subjects, Malaysian Studies Course

SURVEY ON STUDENTS' PERCEPTION ON UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP RESPONSIVENESS TO ADDRESSING THEIR CONCERNS

2021 ◽  
pp. 120-130
Author(s):  
Jacklyne Alari ◽  
Maurice Okoth
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Student Needs ◽  
University Leadership ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
Timely Feedback ◽  
The University ◽  
Analyze Data

Abstract Students' experience in institutions of higher learning can be a factor of make or break for the institution. Good students' experience is a great marketer of the institution through referrals of word of mouth by alumni and bad experiences can be great de-marketer. It is important that the universities strive to deliberately improve on students' experience. Research indicates that great students' experience in universities promotes peaceful co-existence, enhances academic performance and minimize disruption to teaching and learning. Enhanced students experience is directly proportional to good handling of students' complaints as they may come up from time to time. The study was guided by the following objectives: What are the major students concerns in the universities in Kenya? Is the University leadership aware of the students concerns? How does the University leadership address the major students concerns? A survey was conducted, data was randomly collected using digital google forms questionnaires. A total of 167 respondents participated in the study. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze data. Quantitative data was analyzed directly using the google forms application as responses were received. Qualitative data was analyzed by creating themes and developing a narration. Results show that the major students concerns are: Stressful/traumatic experiences, academic issues and social issues. The findings also reveal that the university leadership is aware of the concern however there are serious lapses in addressing students' concerns. The lapses are systemic, policy related, legislative, leadership, governance resulting to unsatisfying or no responses. The study recommends that there is need for timely feedback by University leadership on the key students concerns. Further there is need for a structured platform of feedback that is interactive and friendly. These include but not limited to dialogue; constant monitoring of student needs in order to improve the general students' experience in universities.

Ethnicity, Tribalism, and Xenophobia in a South African Rural-Based University

2021 ◽  
pp. 152-172
Author(s):  
Mavhungu Abel Mafukata
Keyword(s):  
Social Behavior ◽  
Cultural Diversity ◽  
South African ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
South African Government ◽  
The South ◽  
African Government ◽  
Ethnic Tensions ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
The University

The South African government has lobbied institutions of higher learning to recruit academics from across Africa to address the challenge of shortage of skills. Some universities have indeed exploited this opportunity. However, it has emerged that these nationals get to face unbearable anti-social behavior from the locals. Among others, these expatriates contend incidences of tribal-ethnic tensions and xenophobia. Multiple theories were adopted to assist the analysis. The results revealed that there was evidence of tribalism, ethnicity, and incited xenophobia at this university. Furthermore, the study found that the acts of tribalism and ethnicity cut across the university community. The study revealed that deaneries and departments reflected ethnic-tribal orientations depending on the tribes of the respective incumbents in those sections. The university should recognise that it has become a space of cultural diversity where people should be recognized outside the ethnic and tribal framework of locality.

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