'Effective Teaching and Learning is the highest goal of the University as an internationally recognised African University: being a home to those who want to be highly skilled and creative graduates, serving the societal need of a South Africa that competes in the international knowledge economy. This is achieved by demanding deep learning of students, providing the highest levels of support for learning success and delivering critical and independent thought that are essential for a young democracy. We strive to be leaders in learning,' said Prof Max Braun, Deputy Dean: Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of Education.

Successful graduates from first degrees can access advanced postgraduate degrees, becoming knowledge creators through research and so raise the University’s international profile.

Innovations

Honours student have embraced the 'flipped' classroom in a hybrid learning environment where students perform guided research, contextualise their questions, and present them to their peers and expert instructors and thereby gain deeper insight, personal interpretations and high level understanding through both face-to-face and electronically mediated sessions.

These hybrid learning approaches will be further developed in 2017 and onwards with undergraduate core knowledge-centred modules being redesigned instructionally to provide richness and depth, challenge and support and building critical and enthusiastic engagement amongst staff and students.

Teacher Identity is developed through practical school experiences from 2nd year onwards with 4th year students sharing in research stimulating reflection and shared with peers and mentors in the innovative FIRE project.

Relevance

Foundation and Early Childhood phase students support the development of the whole child and are able to teach in an indigenous African Language (Sepedi, Setswana, isiZulu or isi-Ndebele), English and Afrikaans.

Our students who specialise for the intermediate and high school learn language and most other specialisations with scientists, linguists, historians and social scientists in the same classrooms and can access honours degrees in their specialisations with their peers in partner faculties; all-the while gaining a richer knowledge of the human condition through their Education and professional programme.

Social cohesion

Our philosophy is driven by inclusivity, valuing of cultures, and drawing on the ideas of progressive and leading thinkers of Africa, Asia and around the world. We continually review and transform ourselves, our programmes and our student spaces, where we offer a supportive and competitive community.

Leadership

We offer advanced programmes in a wide range of professional development, including curriculum and institutional leadership, educational specialisations, technology supported learning and diversity all underwritten by a vibrant research programme. This has contributed to the Faculty being recognised internationally amongst the top 200 in the world of tens of thousands of education faculties worldwide, and in the top few in Africa. Our success begins and ends with our community, our leading teaching approaches, the relevance of our research, and the quality of learning of our students and our staff.