Mowbray Campus

Faculty of Education and Social Sciences
B Ed (Hons): GET (FP and ISP) and FET
Course Guide
2016

Programme Coordinator:Prof Cornelis Vermeulen

Office:2.16

EducationBuilding

Mowbray Campus

Highbury Road

Mowbray

Phone:(021)680 1534

e-mail:

CONTENTS

  1. Introduction
  1. Aims of the course
  1. Curriculum
  1. Programme
  1. Equipment
  1. Assessment
  1. Assessment Policy

8.Plagiarism Policy

9.Dishonesty

10.Library

11.Student login

12.Final assessment (Examination) Timetable

13.A final word

NB:
Please bring this course guide to the orientation session on Fr 5 Feb 2016 at 16:00, since important information from this course guide will be discussed.
  1. INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the B Ed (Hons) degree offered by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s Faculty of Education. We trust that you will find this a stimulating and rewarding endeavour, and that it will further equip you for your very important role as educator in South Africa.

  1. AIMS OF THE COURSE

The primary aim of this course is to equip you with specialised knowledge and skills regarding the specialisation you chose in particular, and current educational theory and practice in general, in order to enhance your educational practice, as well as to equip you to play a leadership role in your field of specialization.

The secondary aim is to prepare you for advanced research studies, in this case the M Ed (Masters in Education).

  1. CURRICULUM

At Mowbray campus, the B Ed (Hons) is offered over two years on a part-time basis, or over one year on a full-time basis.

The part-time programme is offered as follows:

During the first year,students register for two of the three generic subjects. These subjects are:

  • Theory of Education V
  • Educational Management V

These subjects are offered on twelve weekends during the year (see 4.4 for dates).

In addition, Academic and Digital Literacy is offered on 11 Fridays (see 4.4 for dates and times), and attendance is compulsory. Attendance records will be kept, and assessments will be conducted. During these sessions, you will be equipped with essential knowledge and skills to enable you to access, retrieve and read academic texts, and techniques in academic writing. The latter includes conceptualising and structuring your writing, as well as using the Harvard referencing method. These are crucially important skills that you will need to be successful in your Honours studies.

During the second yearstudents register for the following three subjects:

  • Research Methods
  • Specialization subject
  • Corresponding subject didactics

In Research Methods, youwill beexposed to general principles of research in education. You will also develop and present a research proposal, which will form the basis of your research project in your specialization subject (see next paragraph).In this research proposal, you combine the general principles acquired in Research Methods and Academic Literacy with yourspecialization subject’s content and pedagogical knowledge, in order to plan a research project.The research proposal will be assessed in its written form as well as by means of an oral presentation.

In the specialization subject’ssubject didacticsyou will be required to implement your research proposal, i.e. conduct a research project.

Research Methodswill be offered on eightSaturdays during the year (see 4.4 for dates and times).

Contact times for the specialization subjectsare from 16:30 to 19:30 on thirty Tuesdays during the year, but may be changed to suit the needs of students and lecturer.

Full-time students do all the subjects shown above during one year.

  1. PROGRAMME 2016

4.1Registration:You can register online from 18 January 2016 until 26February 2016. (Visit the CPUT website at for instructions).

If you experience problems with the online registration, you can register on-campus on 19 February (Mowbray: Computer Lab 0.11

4.2ORIENTATION (new students only):

Short B Ed (Hons) course Orientation:

Friday 5 February 16:00 – 16:30in 1.60 (“New Room 2”),Main Building, Mowbray campus.

Library orientation (layout, resources and services provided):

This will be done as part of Academic Literacy.

Using electronic databases to locate journal articles and books:

This will be done as part of Academic Literacy.

Doing written assignments and referencing techniques, using the Harvard method:

This will be done as part of Academic Literacy.

4.3FIRST CLASSES

Classes will commence as follows:

Full-time (FT) and Part-time first year (PT1):

Academic Literacy:Friday 5 February (16:30 – 19:30) in 1.60, Main Building, Mowbray.

Educational Management:Friday 12 February (17:00 – 19:30) in 1.60, Main Building, Mowbray.

Theory of Education:Saturday 13 February (08:30 – 11:30) in 1.60, Main Building, Mowbray

Note: Theory of Education and Educational Management could swop from time to time.

Your lecturers will announce this if applicable.

Full-time (FT) and Part-time second year (PT2):

Research Methods:Saturday20 February (08:30 –12:30) in 1.60,Main Building, Mowbray.

Specialisation subjects:

Inclusive Education:Tuesday 9 February (16:30 – 19:30) inroom 2.01, Main Building, Mowbray.

Art:Tuesday 9 February (16:30 – 19:30) in Dr Sandy Johnson’s office,

Art Building

Mathematics:Tuesday 9 February (16:30 – 19:30) in room 1.02, Main Building, Mowbray.

Science:Tuesday 9 February (16:30 – 19:30) in Dr Koopman’s office (2.57), Main Building, Mowbray.

4.4TIMETABLE 2016 for Weekend Classes

Class group(s)
[FT = Full-time
PT = Part-time 1 or 2] / Date / Subject (All weekend classes are in 1.60) / Time
FT and PT1 / Fr 5 Feb / Short orientation
Academic Literacy / 16:00 – 16:30
16:30 – 19:30
FT and PT1 / Fr 12 Feb / Educational Management / 16:30 – 19:30
FT and PT1 / Sa 13 Feb / Theory of Education / 08:30 – 11:30
FT and PT1 / Fr 19 Feb / Academic Literacy / 16:30 – 19:30
FT and PT2 / Sa 20 Feb / Research Methods / 08:30 – 12:30
FT and PT1 / Fr 26 Feb / Educational Management / 16:30 – 19:30
FT and PT1 / Sa 27 Feb / Theory of Education / 08:30 – 11:30
FT and PT1 / Fr 4 March / Academic Literacy / 16:30 – 19:30
FT and PT2 / Sa 5 March / Research Methods / 08:30 – 12:30
FT and PT1 / Fr 11 March / Educational Management / 16:30 – 19:30
FT and PT1 / Sa 12 March / Theory of Education / 08:30 – 11:30
School and CPUT holidays
FT and PT1 / Fr 8 April / Educational Management / 16:30 – 19:30
FT and PT1 / Sa9 April / Theory of Education / 08:30 – 11:30
FT and PT1 / Fr 15 April / Academic Literacy / 16:30 – 19:30
FT and PT2 / Sa 16 April / Research Methods / 08:30 – 12:30
FT and PT1 / Fr 22 April / Educational Management / 16:30 – 19:30
FT and PT1 / Sa 23 April / Theory of Education / 08:30 – 11:30
FT and PT1 / Fr 6 May / Educational Management / 16:30 – 19:30
FT and PT1 / Sa 7 May / Theory of Education / 08:30 – 11:30
FT and PT1 / Fr 13 May / Academic Literacy / 16:30 – 19:30
FT and PT2 / Sa 14 May / Research Methods / 08:30 – 12:30
FT and PT1 / Fr 20 May / Educational Management / 16:30 – 19:30
FT and PT1 / Sa 21 May / Theory of Education / 08:30 – 11:30
FT and PT1 / Fr 27 May / Academic Literacy / 16:30 – 19:30
FT and PT2 / Sa 28 May / Research Methods / 08:30 – 12:30
FT and PT1 / Fr 3 June / Educational Management / 16:30 – 19:30
FT and PT1 / Sa 4 June / Theory of Education / 08:30 - 11:30
FT and PT1 / Fr 10 June / Academic Literacy / 16:30 – 19:30
FT and PT2 / Sa 11 June / Research Methods / 08:30 – 12:30
School and CPUT holidays
FT and PT1 / Fr 22 July / Educational Management / 16:30 – 19:30
FT and PT1 / Sa 23 July / Theory of Education / 08:30 - 11:30
FT and PT1 / Fr 29 July / Academic Literacy / 16:30 – 19:30
FT and PT2 / Sa 30 July / Research Methods / 08:30 – 12:30
FT and PT1 / Fr 12 Aug / Academic Literacy / 16:30 – 19:30
FT and PT2 / Sa 13 Aug / Research Methods / 08:30 – 12:30
FT and PT 1 / Fr 19 Aug / Educational Management / 16:30 – 19:30
FT and PT 1 / Sa 20 Aug / Theory of Education / 08:30 - 11:30
FT and PT1 / Fr 26 Aug / Academic Literacy / 16:30 – 19:30
FT and PT2 / Sa 27 Aug / Research Methods / 08:30 – 12:30
CPUT holidays
FT and PT1 / Fr 16 Sept / Educational Management / 16:30 – 19:30
FT and PT1 / Sa 17 Sept / Theory of Education / 08:30 – 11:30
School holidays
FT and PT1 / Fr 14Oct / Educational Management / 16:30 – 19:30
FT and PT 1 / Sa 15 Oct / Theory of Education / 08:30 – 11:30
FT and PT1 / Fr 21 Oct / Academic Literacy / 16:30 – 19:30
FT and PT2 / Sa 22 Oct / Research Methods / 08:30 – 12:30
All / 14 Nov (provisionally) / Names for Re-assessments are published
Important:
The last part-time intake for this programme is in 2016. This programme will phase out at the end of 2017. A completely new programme is to be introduced in 2018.
Therefore, you need to complete this programme in the next two years. There is no possibility of carrying over failed modules/subjects to the new programme in 2018.
It is thus of the utmost importance that you take your studies VERY seriously, use every opportunity to ensure success and work in a committed and consistent way.

5.EQUIPMENT

If any specific equipment is required for a subject, you will be informed accordingly by your subject lecturer.

6.ASSESSMENT

All subjects:

Assignments:
i.All written assignments MUST be submitted both as a typedhard copy and electronically(via e-mail) to the subject lecturer.
ii.All written assignments MUST be accompanied by a completed plagiarism declaration (refer to Section 8 Plagiarism Policy).
iii.A student may not let somebody else write the student’s assignment.
iv.Please be aware that, should you commit plagiarism or let somebody else write your assignment, disciplinary action will be taken by CPUT (see Section 8Plagiarism Policy).

The final mark in all subjects will be based on assignments and/or tests conducted during the year, and may include a final assessment during November. In each subject, the relative weightings of individual assessment tasks towards the final mark will be conveyed to you by the subject lecturer.

The final mark must be at least 50 in order to pass the subject. Students who obtain a final mark between 45 and 49 will be given the opportunity to do a supplementary assessment task. Names of such students will be displayed early in November on the notice boards of the Main Building. This date will be made available by your subject lecturer during the year.It is each student’s responsibility to establish whether he or she qualifies for the supplementary assessment.

IMPORTANT: It will be assumed that you have studied the Assessment Policy in Section 7 below, in particular B1 to B6 and H2 (3), that you understand it, and that you will adhere to it.

7.ASSESSMENT POLICY OF THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

INFORMATION TO STUDENTS REGARDING ASSESSMENT POLICY: FACULTY OF EDUCATION

Introduction

The rules and procedures for Assessment are aimed at what the student must know at the beginning of the academic year. All staff must familiarise themselves with the Policy for the Assessment of Student Learning and the rules and procedures for assessment as approved by Senate June 2008.

Definitions

Assessment
A structured process for gathering evidence and making judgments about an individual’s performance in relation to registered national unit standards and qualifications (SAQA, 2001)

A.PLAN FOR ASSESSMENT:

A1.Assessment strategies and weightings

Approved assessment strategies (methods) as well as weightings assigned to individual assessments for subjects/courses/modules will be indicated in the learner guides. No single assessment should be more than 50% of the final assessment result.

A2.Minimum number of assessments (which may include a final summative assessment)

The minimum number of assessments is dependent on the duration and the credit value of the course, subject or module. There should be a minimum of:

  • One integrated summative assessment where a course is offered for a period of less than one term (3 months) or a maximum number of 4 credits, up to 0,03 HEMIS credits.
  • Two integrated summative assessments per course/module offered over a semester (6 months) or a maximum number of 16 credits; up to 0,13 HEMIS credits.
  • Four integrated summative assessments per course offered over one year, or maximum number 32 credits, up to 0,26 HEMIS credits.

A3.Assessment information in learning guides

Learning Guides must provide detailed information to students with regard to what they can expect with regard to assessments, as well as with regard to what is expected of them.

A4.Scheduling / time-tabling of assessments

A4.1Students should be given reasonable notification of all assessments, particularly with regard to time-tabling and venues (where possible).

A4.2All assessments will be indicated on an assessment calendar per programme in the programme guide.

B.CONDUCTING ASSESSMENT:

B1.General

Students may not be excluded from the assessments.

B2.Reassessment

The assessment system must allow for reassessment.

There are different cases for reassessment:

  1. If a student has almost achieved the level of competence required to be credited with the module or course (or has attained between 45% and 48%), the student may be reassessed.
  1. Students who can provide a valid reason for their absence may, at the discretion of the faculty, be reassessed where practical.
  1. It may be necessary to use re-assessment as an option for dealing with irregularities in assessment practices.
  1. In cases of inadequate academic performance (45% - 48%) in a module or course, it is a requirement to obtain a minimum grade of 50% in the reassessment. The final mark will then be adjusted to a maximum of 50%.

B3.Postponed assessments

  1. A candidate who failed to report for, or was unsuccessful in an assessment because of illness or trauma may, on submission of an acceptable medical certificate, be permitted to do a postponed assessment. Applications must be submitted to the Faculty Office not later than 14 days after the day scheduled for the assessment concerned, supported by a medical certificate or other documentary evidence.
  2. The submission of a medical certificate will not necessarily be sufficient to secure the granting of a postponed assessment.
  3. Illness during an assessment will only be considered if the student consulted with the Health Clinic (on campus) or a medical practitioner to report the illness and obtained a medical certificate as soon as possible following the assessment.
  4. A recurring medical complaint, or a history of illnesses or a physical disability will only be considered if the student has reported the complaint, the history, or the disability to the Head of Department in the Faculty at least three (3) weeks before the day scheduled for the assessment concerned and has satisfied the Head of Department that every effort is being made to avert a recurrence of the complaint or illness, or to overcome the disability.

5.Illness, or unfitness to sit for an assessment, caused by taking drugs of any kind except on the advice of a medical practitioner, may be rejected as grounds for the granting of a postponed assessment.

6.A serious illness, or the death of a near relative at the time of the assessment, may be accepted as good cause for application for a postponed assessment.

7.The student must apply for a postponed assessment, on the prescribed form. If a medical certificate or other acceptable supporting documentation cannot be submitted, the application for a postponed assessment shall not be approved and no grading will be given for the assessment.

8.An assessment (different to the original assessment) in oral or written form must be conducted with a student who has produced evidence of good cause for his/her absence. An average mark must under no circumstances be given.

9.Misreading of the timetable is not an acceptable reason for a postponed assessment to be conducted.

B4.Conducting oral examinations

  1. An oral examination assumes the form of a face-to-face interview and/or series of questions conducted by a panel, including two (2) subject specialists in the field concerned, in the presence of the moderator, whether internal or external, with the object of assessing relevant knowledge of the candidate and/or moderating an assessment of such candidate’s performance in a project, examination or thesis to determine whether the candidate may be granted a credit.
  1. An oral examination may be used for the purpose of reassessment with the permission of the Dean of a particular Faculty and will be subject to the same conditions as the original assessment.

B5.Student conduct during assessments

  1. No student shall sit for an assessment without producing his/her student card or a letter of admission.
  2. A student undertaking an assessment shall be guilty of anirregularity if:
  • he/she has in his/her possession any unauthorised written or printed document or memorandum, notes, sketch, map, diagram, any inadmissible equipment or article after the assessment paper has been distributed;
  • he/she helps or tries to help, or tries to obtain help from another candidate, or communicates or tries to communicate with any person other than an invigilator, when the assessment has begun;
  • he/she causes a disturbance in the assessment venue, or acts in an improper or unseemly manner and refuses after a warning has been issued by the invigilator to cease such disturbance, improper or unseemly conduct, or destroys what would have been evidence of such improper or unseemly conduct;
  • he/she leaves the assessment venue without prior permission from the invigilator.
  1. A student sitting for an assessment shall comply with the following:
  2. any appropriate instruction by the invigilator of such assessment;
  3. all instructions printed on the assessment sheet or on the cover of the answer book for that assessment;
  4. In any assessment a student shall refrain from dishonest conduct. Dishonest conduct shall include, inter aliaplagiarism or submission of the work of a person other than the student who is being assessed.

5. A student shall acquaint himself/herself with the relevant rules regarding assessments of the faculty in which he/she is registered.

B6.Promotion requirements

  1. The computation of final assessment results will be based on the weightings as indicated in the learner guides.
  2. The candidate is required to achieve 50% in a course with a 40% sub-minimum in each module in order to be eligible to progress to the next level of study.

3.These prescribed requirements will be stated in each learner guide and all efforts should be made by the lecturers concerned to familiarise students with these additional requirements.

SECTION C: FEEDBACK TO THE STUDENT

C.1 /

Disclosure of final results

1.No one may telephonically or otherwise, divulge any final marks to candidates prior to the official release of the final results.
C.2 / Providing feedback
  1. Academic staff should ensure that feedback on student performance in assessments is timeous.
  2. Learning guides should make explicit what students’ rights are with regard to receiving timeous feedback.
  3. Students who have grievances in this regard should first discuss the matter with the lecturer or tutor concerned. If reasonable cooperation from the lecturer is not forthcoming, the student may report the matter to the immediate superior of the lecturer or tutor.

SECTION D:RECORDING ASSESSMENTS

D1. / .
Award of Grades
The following grades are used:
Less than 50% - Fail course or mother subject
50-59% - Pass
60-69%: Lower second class pass. 60-69 second grade
70-74% - Upper second class pass. First grade
75-100% - First class pass/distinction/cum laude. 75 + distinction cum laude
D2
D2.1 & D2.2 / Publishing marks
  • Departments will publish all assessment results on the student notice boards to give the students an opportunity to verify their marks. These lists are ITS generated lists.
  • Students will have five working days to query assessment results.

D2.3 / A progress report will be made available to all students at the end of July.
D2.4 / Names of candidates for reassessment will be published as from the beginning of November on the notice board. The onus is on the student to check the notice board whether they qualify for a reassessment.
D2.5 / Final assessment results are published by the AGC.
D3 / Disability
  1. Any candidate to whom the specified time for an assessment could prove to be a disadvantage owing to a disability or handicap may, at least thirty (30) days prior to the commencement of the assessments, apply to the Assistant Registrar: Assessment and Graduation for an extension of time to be granted.
  2. Candidates must submit all relevant documentation pertaining to such an extension of time previously granted by another educational institution or, a specialist medical practitioner’s report on the medical condition in question.
  3. An application, if successful, may allow a candidate with a disability or handicap an extension of time of no more than ten (10) minutes per hour for each one (1) hour’s duration of the assessment and/or the use, where applicable, of additional support such as specialist equipment, a scribe and so on.
  4. A separate venue will be arranged by the AGC in liaison with the particular Faculty and the Disability Unit.
5.In cases where a student requires a scribe and/or special computer equipment, the Faculty concerned is to arrange this special requirement.