– by Nontokozo Mthembu
There has been a massification in South African Higher education. According to Knight (2007), the need for highly skilled, innovative individuals to work in transforming South African Higher education has grown rapidly.
UKZN Extended Learning recently hosted MANCOSA delegates on a University Education Induction Programme (UEIP) course. The UEIP modules are designed to support the professional and personal growth of Higher education employees through four specialised interconnected modules: Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Supervising Research in Higher Education, Assessing Learning in Higher Education and Designing and Evaluating Curricula in Higher Education.
The last module, Designing and Evaluating Curricula in Higher Education recently took place at the UEL offices located at the Innovation Centre at UKZN (Howard College). The module was facilitated by Dr Lester Brian Shawa, senior Lecturer in Higher Education Training and Development at UKZN, where he also coordinates the PhD programme and Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education studies.
The Designing and Evaluating Curricula in Higher Education module taught delegates about professional curriculum development in higher education. Dr Lester Brian Shawa highlighted the fact that “there are various models of curriculum design that are important with the intention of designing every institutions curriculum and should adhere with the National and institutional policies”. Dr Lester Brian Shawa also, emphasises on the fact that Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) assist institutions in designing unique curriculums. In order to complete the module, delegates were given group tasks to submit as part of their portfolio of evidence.
Delegates shared their overview on the module and this what they had to say:
“This 3-day event gave me a deeper understanding of the designing of curriculums in South African Higher education institutions, something that’s helped underpin my somewhat random understanding so far. Thank you!”
“The module was extremely useful for interesting thought on the modern teaching process in general and how that fits into my workplace.”
UKZN Extended Learning is pleased to receive such positive feedback.
All our UEIP modules are available on request only. Should you wish to be part of the 2020 intake, please contact:
UKZN Extended Learning
T: +27 31 260 1234
