UV Jaaroorsig - University of the Free State

22
Jaaroorsig • 2007
those related to the envisaged migration of on-campus
modules from WebCT to Moodle at the end of 2007, it was
decided to defer the expansion of the blended model to
2008.
The migration of first-semester modules from WebCT
to Moodle for on-campus students was completed at the
end of November 2007. A total of 465 course modules will
be available to students on the institutional learning management
system at the beginning of 2008.
The migration of modules from WebCT to Moodle was
characterised by a re-evaluation of learning materials and
support for lecturers in ensuring that the new modules on
Moodle were interactive and that the modules encouraged
active student engagement. The Division Teaching, Learning
and Assessment was also involved in the migration process
and offered lecturers support with regard to the pedagogical
foundations upon which the modules had been
designed.
Planning has already begun, in consultation with lecturers
involved, for the implementation of new e-learning
modules during 2008. By the end of November 2007, 128
academic staff members had attended both a Moodle Orientation
workshop and a Moodle Follow-up workshop.
The planning of four experimental modules, in collaboration
with interested academics, in 2006 led to the implementation
of three of these modules in 2007. The first module
is a general academic skills module that was developed in
collaboration with the teaching and learning team in the
Faculty of Health Sciences. The second is a language-proficiency
module, aimed at postgraduate students. This module
was developed in collaboration with the Department of
English. The third module was developed in collaboration
with the Department of Economics and involves the novel
use of an interactive, electronic textbook.
It is envisaged that these modules will be implemented
fully during 2007 and 2008, and that the first evaluations of
these modules will be conducted at the end of 2008.
Deursetkoers kry aandag
Die Fakulteit Natuur- en Landbouwetenskappe het ’n Leeren
Onderrigbestuurder aangestel om die deurvloei koerse van
die fakulteit te verbeter. Sy aanvanklike fokus is op die
kursusse in die eerste jaar van die verlengde en die gewone
programme. Volgens ’n navorsingsverslag wat op 2006 se
syfers gebaseer is, is daar wel sukses met die verlengde program,
maar is die sukseskoers (ongeveer 30%) laag en ver-
dere ingrypings moet gemaak word. Die blyk duide lik dat ’n
beter punt vir wiskunde in matriek ’n goeie aan dui ding gee
of studente suksesvol gaan wees in die program al dan nie.
Dit blyk veral dat swak wiskunde-onderrig op skool nie
maklik in een jaar op universiteit reg gestel kan word nie.
Gegewe hierdie feite, het die fakulteit besluit om sy
betrokkenheid op skoolvlak te verhoog en is ’n projek ontwikkel
om die leermateriaal in die wiskunde en weten skappe
op skoolvlak te help ontwikkel en om onderwysers by te
staan in die gebruik van leermateriaal.
Career preparation a success
In the Career Preparation Programme (CPP), an access programme,
over 1 240 students registered were registered in
2007. A total of 1 014 degrees have been awarded since
1996 to students who commenced their studies in CPP; 95
of these were honours degrees, sixteen masters degrees,
and six M.B.Ch.B degrees.
On account of a partnership agreement between the
National Institute for Higher Education in the Northern Cape
(NIHE) and the UFS, student numbers increased in Kimberley
from 30 in 2002 to 264 in 2007. Since January 2005,
second-year courses in Economic and Management Sciences
as well as in Humanities were also implemented and 38
students registered in these programmes. Since Jan uary 2006
certain third-year courses were also imple men ted. A total of
41 third-year students registered in 2007. At the end of 2006,
the first seven B.Soc.Sc (Human and Social Dynamics)
students graduated from this partnership.
Student Successes
Year % Success
2003 72%
2004 68%
2005 70%
2006 72%
2007 70%
Student success rates are of critical importance. At the
time of the Institutional Audit in 2006, it was identified by
the UFS – and subsequently by the audit panel – as a
potential problem. Data showed a decline in the overall
success rate (from 73,4% to 69,2%) from 2003 to 2004.
The approved UFS Enrollment Plan of the Department of
Education stipulates a target of 74% for the UFS from 2008
to 2010.