SECTION 2 Teaching and Learning
SECTION 2 Teaching and Learning
TEACHING & LEARNING THE UP WAY OF
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eaching and learning THE UP WAY has a dedicated focus on enhancing the capability of students as they undertake the university journey. Ongoing innovations in teaching and learning continue to strengthen support mechanisms for student success. The University’s hybrid teaching and learning model offers students the best of both worlds – online and contact – and is designed to enable them to succeed at university and in life beyond university.
In 2022, the University launched Blackboard Ally to help build a more inclusive learning environment by helping students control course content with usability, accessibility and quality in mind. The Department of African Languages assisted with the Zulu translation, while Bb Ally is also available in Xhosa and will soon be available in Sepedi. In 2022, approximately 72% of the students used alternative formats provided by Bb Ally. Blackboard Learn™ (branded as clickUP) ensures that students come to class prepared, complete pre-class assessments, engage in class, and consolidate their knowledge after class. Learning analytics’ early alerts help lecturers intervene in a timely manner and prevent possible future problems. Blackboard Mobile lets student access their learning material across various devices. Students can thus access content from the BlackBoard (Bb) app, participate in discussions, participate in virtual Blackboard Collaborate classes, and view their grades. ConnectYard, piloted in 2022 by the Department for Education Innovation, enables teaching staff to reach students on their devices using their preferred messaging channels: text, social media, or email. This eliminates the need for lecturers to access students’ phone numbers and allows them to manage groups outside clickUP.
The model assumes three phases in teaching and learning: (a) preparation before class, (b) engagement in class, and (c) consolidation after class. This teaching model places UP in the perfect position to develop the skills students need to function effectively in the 4IR. It encourages students to prepare independently for each class and engage and critically discuss issues in class. UP combines the latest technologies to support this methodology, and to develop scalable, flexible, interactive, and active learning environments.
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Cirrus Assessment cloud-based online computer-based testing (CBT), implemented in 2022, enables students to write a test on any hardware that possesses internet connection and a browser. The system operates across any browser-enabled device, which opens up the possibility of writing CBT tests on student laptops in an IT lab or lecture hall. Watermark Course Evaluations & Surveys allows students to provide feedback on the effectiveness and quality of teaching. This helps lecturers continuously improve their teaching, learning, and assessment practices, as well as the general quality of the modules they teach.
UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA | ANNUAL REVIEW 2022
Shaping resilient graduates The University implements a multi-pronged strategy to enhance student success, the main driver of this strategy being the FLY@UP initiative. FLY@UP uses various tools and tactics to help students graduate in minimum time. The FLY acronym, which stands for ‘The Finish Line is Yours’, is a tagline unique to UP and it serves as a reminder to students that they are responsible for ensuring they complete their studies in the minimum time. • The Academic Orientation Programme provides comprehensive support to encourage the academic development and success of first-year students. • Faculty Student Advisors (FSAs) provide a safety net service, advising and referring students for the support or intervention they may require. • Online learning platforms ensure that students can attend a tutorial from wherever they may be, or log in to work through the recorded tutorial. • The High Impact Modules (HIMs) project seeks to improve the success rate of modules that indicate a pass rate of below 75%, by providing targeted interventions.
International awards for technology in teaching Two teams from UP’s Department for Education Innovation won honours at the Anthology Catalyst Awards, where they were selected from a record 149 nominees from institutions in 22 countries, including the United States, Canada and Australia. The awards recognise educators who push the boundaries of what is possible when leveraging technology. The Department also won an award in the Student Success category which measures solutions that have led to increased retention, increased completion, or improved outcomes.
• Peer advisors work closely with FSAs to answer questions around administrative processes such as degree planning and registration of modules. We believe our multi-layered support systems play a significant role in student success. As an example, the overall module pass rate increased from 82.9% to 85.7% between 2018 and 2022. During the same period, the examination pass rate increased from 80.8% to 85.8%. A survey also revealed that 97% of all employed graduates secured work within six months of completing their studies.
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