At UWC, iKamva (institutional Learning Management System) – is built with mLearning (mobile Learning) in mind. Hence, you are able to engage with learners who are constantly ‘on the go’, over-loaded and over stimulated with the demands of Higher Education.

https://www.autonomy-multimedia.com/home/2018/5/7/a-learning-revolution

Lecturer, Ronel Koch from the Education Faculty presented at CIECT’s 11th Annual eLearning Colloquium in 2018. Ronel’s presentation focused on the use of various emerging technologies within the classroom for a large number of 1st and 3rd year students. This teaching approach is aligned to the IOP (2016-2020), which highlights the use of technology to make learning more meaningful.  These emerging technologies include the use of:

• iKamva whereby students are able to access resources and engage in eAssessment activities (MCQ tests and short-answer responses).  Classlists can be      downloaded and the statistic tool showcases students’ activity within the online environment. The Tests & Quizzes are especially popular as students appreciate the immediate results that MCQs provide,

• Turnitin submissions that provide guidance to students on their academic writing,

• Google Applications including email and calendar (for appointments) which enables communication and feedback with students. Google drive was used for sharing assessments with assessors.  

• Kahoot! web application was used to increase interactive class activities.

Furthermore, the 3rd year prospective Teacher Educators (over 200 students) were required to design an ePortfolio as an assessment activity to document the learning activities and competencies; as well as the teaching methods they would use in their classes. The ePortfolios showcased the following:

• Bio-sketch of student;

• Showcase activities identifying student learning needs,

• Understanding learners and their prior knowledge,

• Creation of lesson plans, exam papers and year-planning.

The lecturer highlighted that this form of assessment forced students to become more proficient in their use of technology and incorporate their own voices in presentations. The student feedback indicated that although they were apprehensive at first, they felt that they had accomplished on a professional level. Furthermore, they were able to apply theoretical knowledge, which allowed them to think deeply about the content and how they present themselves.  One student even recommended the creation of ePortfolios as a method that must be “embedded within the education system”.

View the recorded presentation here: https://tinyurl.com/y4egczsl

Please contact CIECT to create your interactive online environments.​

mLearning is growing worldwide. Online stats shows that almost “48.2% of all web traffic” is accessed via mobile devices (https://elearningindustry.com/elearning-trends-for-2019-miss-4)

Students are making use of their mobile devices to access iKamva (Institutional Learning Management System), which allows them to access resources, complete online tests and engage in discussions. These interactions can be conducted from various geographical locations.

This showcases how lecturers are making use of the compatibility features within iKamva. Students are able to engage in MCQ tests during class time making use of their mobile devices.​

Lecturer, Priscilla Brijlal from the Dentistry Faculty presented at CIECT’s 11th Annual eLearning Colloquium in 2018. The presentation focused on the “Blended learning approach in a clinically based programme – a Beta mode?”. The purpose of the programme was to facilitate learning and skills development of the clinical procedures that are added to the scope of practice for Oral Hygienists. Graduates from the Oral Hygiene programme had to complete the Expanded Functions course that was prescribed by the HPCSA (https://www.hpcsa.co.za/).

The lecturers setup online environments (since 2016) within iKamva for the programme which enabled the following activities:

• Distribution of Course Resources and pre-reading material,
• Sharing Announcements, and
• Creation of online tests.

Students who enrolled in the programme joined from different geographical locations across South Africa. View the recorded presentation here: https://tinyurl.com/y4n9cr24

Please contact CIECT to create your interactive online environment.

Turnitin (Tii) is an anti-plagiarism detection system that compares text within a document to archived papers within the Tii database and the World Wide Web. For example, all universities build their own databases over a period of time. Hence papers submitted, will first be checked within the local Tii repository, prior to checking similarity text on the World Wide Web.The University of the Western Cape implemented the use of Tii in 2008 to deter academic dishonesty.

The use of the ‘Originality Check Tool’ has increased across faculties across and is the most requested tool within Tii.

The Originality Check tool creates an ‘Originality Report’, indicating:

• Colour codes to show comparisons, and
• Matches found are displayed in list format.

CIECT advises that faculties and departments encourage all staff to submit:

• Reports,
• Documents and
• Question papers to Turnitin (Tii).

Chemistry Practical Coordinator, Suzanne Grove presented at CIECTs 11th Annual eLearning colloquium in 2018. The presentation focused on the practical tests that 1st year Chemistry students are expected to complete on a weekly basis, in preparation for practical tutorials. Hence, students are not able to enter the practical tutorial, if they had not completed the online test, hosted on the iKamva Platform.

Weekly preparatory tests are open for a specific time period (one week only). A student is able to attempt a test, multiple times and the highest mark is recorded. It should also be noted that the tests/quizzes account for 15% of the Continuous Assessment Mark (CAM). This year (2019) Suzanne is translating the online tests (both question and answers options) from English to isiXhosa and Afrikaans. The students receive their results immediately upon submission.

View the recorded presentation here: https://tinyurl.com/y5mt7ql3