Innovation is at the core of optimising student learning at the University of Pretoria. Through strategic leadership, change management for curriculums, teaching, learning, and assessment innovation, and continuing opportunities for teaching development, the university’s Department for Education Innovation builds capacity to implement an inquiry-based approach.
Teaching & learning model
The University of Pretoria follows a teaching and learning model, called the Student Success Model, which consists of three phases:
Prepare before class
Quality instruction requires students to come to class prepared, as this enables new teaching to build actively on existing knowledge.
Engage in class
Inquiry-based learning enables students to think, communicate, and justify their ideas.
Consolidate after class
It is critical to create opportunities for students to reflect, integrate, and restructure their knowledge.
This teaching model places the university in the perfect position to develop the skills that students need to function effectively in the modern workplace. By encouraging students to prepare independently for each class and engage and critically discuss issues in class, they can develop the following essential skills:
Adaptability
Career navigation
Self-directed learning
Lifelong learning
The ability to solve complex problems with a multi-disciplinary approach
At the e-Education Unit, the university provides support and training opportunities for staff development, with a focus on implementing a hybrid approach. Both subject-specific teaching innovation and pedagogical innovation are promoted and supported to enhance student learning.
A team of dedicated instructional designers and educational consultants are also available to support lecturers. Educational consultants can provide advice regarding:
Learning design
Didactically sound hybrid teaching and learning
Assessments
The curriculum
Professional development
Applying open educational resources
Instructional designers are also available as a support structure, who can advise on:
e-Learning
Hybrid learning
clickUP
Assessment technology
Computer-based testing
In-video assessment
e-Learning teaching skills
Institution-wide and faculty-focused workshops and priority courses are provided to develop the teaching, assessment, and e-learning skills of academic staff members. The courses enable lecturers to use clickUP, Turnitin, and QuestUP, as well as to create digital lectures.
UP’s Department for Education Innovation also proudly offers its flagship Academic Induction programmes.
The UP is focused on promoting and facilitating simulation-based teaching for all our students in a dynamic and controlled teaching space, using cutting-edge technology.
To prepare students for the dynamics of a fast-paced work environment, the UP provides career advice and planning regarding employability and careers skills needed to find that dream job.
UP defines community engagement as the planned, purposeful application of resources and expertise in teaching, learning, and research in the university's interaction with external communities to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes aligned with the institution's vision and mission.
To break down traditional academic silos, foster collaboration across disciplines, and equip students with the ability to address complex real-world challenges, transdisciplinary teaching guidelines have been developed.
The university’s curriculum transformation efforts are aligned with its broader Transformation Plan for 2023–2027. With an emphasis on the need for a holistic approach to transformation, the plan focuses on the inclusivity and diversity of curricula.
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