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Research Publications (Academic Support)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/211

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    Deconstructing quality in South African higher education
    (Emerald, 2018) Fomunyam, Kehdinga George
    >This study aims to examine six South African universities with a particular focus on the quality of teaching and learning. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative case study approach was adopted and data were mainly generated by means of open-ended questionnaires. The questionnaire was circulated to approximately 1,800 students and 746 completed it. The data were categorized and analysed thematically, using both national and international benchmarks for quality teaching and learning. Findings The findings reveal that teaching and learning in South African universities is marred by a plethora of challenges. Lecturers lack basic skills and essential resources to effectively facilitate teaching and learning. Furthermore, quality benchmarks set by the Council on Higher Education are only met on paper and little or nothing is done to translate this into practice. Originality/value The study proposes among others that clearer policies on funding are recommended to ensure proper allocation of resources, staff development and institutional comeliness. Finally, to enhance transformation, universities should prioritize teaching and learning and take steps to ensure that those teaching in the classroom are qualified to do so.
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    Integrating information literacy in the General Education Module at the Durban University Of Technology, South Africa
    (UNISA Press, 2016) Neerputh, Shirlene
    A university curriculum re-design process provides a promising opportunity for the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Library to become an active academic partner as it modifies its contribution to enhance teaching, learning and research in the twenty-first century information environment. This article provides a conceptual framework for the library to engage in the General Education Module (GEM) for first-year undergraduate students. The GEM at DUT emanated from a curriculum renewal strategy to enhance student-centred learning across all six faculties of the university. The GEM is underpinned by a humanistic educational university strategy. Constructivist theory underpins the compulsory credit-bearing information literacy (IL) programme in the GEM at DUT. The article shows how an academic library can become a cohesive instructional partner in contributing to academic success. The library, in addition to its traditional role as the gatekeeper of learning resources and information provision, offers an integrated credit bearing IL programme in the GEM. This also constitutes a paradigm shift for instructional design at DUT.