Welcome to the website of the Centre for Teaching and Learning!
This is a work in progress, keep checking in for new and updated information! If you have any comments or suggestions, please feel free to send an e-mail to Claudia Swart: claudias2@sun.ac.za
The primary role of the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is the professional learning of academics at Stellenbosch University (SU), with regard to their teaching role. To read more about our vision and mission, click here. Should you require information about services for students: click here.
For a direct link to our Student Feedback page: click here.
For more information about FIRLT / FINLO: click here.
For our latest news: click here
SU Teaching Fellowships 2020
A proposal for the creation of teaching fellowships at Stellenbosch University was accepted at a Senate meeting in 2009. The University has awarded 13 fellowships since then.
The University Capacity Development Grants (UCDG) will be funding another two fellowships from January 2020. The SU teaching fellowships provide excellent teachers and scholars of teaching and learning with the opportunity to spend more consistent periods of time, with various forms of support, to focus on aspects of curriculum renewal, the exploration of teaching and learning, and the dissemination of good teaching and learning practice in departments and faculties.
Current holders of a teaching fellowship are:
- Prof. Ingrid Rewitzky (Vice-Dean: Teaching and Learning, Faculty of Science)
- Dr Elize Archer (Centre for Health Professions Education, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)
- Dr Berna Gerber (Division of Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)
- Dr Marianne McKay (Department of Viticulture and Oenology, Faculty of AgriSciences)
- Dr Michael Schmeisser (Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of AgriSciences)
- Dr Marianne Unger (Division of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)
The call for applications for the Teaching Fellowships 2020 is now open. The closing date for applications is 4 November 2019.
For more information, including the stipulations of the fellowships and the application guidelines, please contact Dr Karin Cattell-Holden, kcattell@sun.ac.za or X 3074.
Overview of some of the CTL events in 2018
PREDAC: 6o participants from the 9 faculties participating in PREDAC (4 annual phases) attended a 4-day retreat at the Goudini Conference Centre from 17 – 20 July 2018. During phase 2 of the programme, participants enjoyed a breakaway event. Prof Arnold Schoonwinkel reiterated that the University values its academics, their teaching role and their professional learning. Interaction and relationship-building across faculties was particularly valued. Prof Gilly Salmon's Carpe Diem framework formed the basis for the US Design for Learning Teaching and Assessment (DeLTA) process. A participant remarked: “The PREDAC phase 2 made one realize the essence of teaching. This was from a whole new perspective and it helped me question my teaching style, content and preparation."
Teaching and Learning Seminar: a number of Teaching and Learning Seminars are hosted annually, sharing innovative teaching and learning enhancement projects and practices. On 6 September 2018, Dr Hanelie Adendorff, from the Centre for Teaching and Learning, presented a seminar entitled “Decolonising the Science Curriculum: can Legitimation Code Theory show a way forward?''. Dr Adendorff challenged the audience with topical questions: “How do you even begin to decolonise science?" “How do you manage risk by making indigenous knowledge dance to the rhythm of science?" The presentation focussed on ways in which Legitimation Code Theory has enabled different gazes in the Sciences. Approximately 35 US staff attended the seminar.
SoEL Course: A 12-credit short course on the Scholarship of Educational Leadership (SoEL) is presented annually with focus on leadership in and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in a dialogical framework. The course contains 4 themes: Contextualising; Researching; Curriculum; and Pedagogical Leadership. This course plays a key role in building a critical mass of T&L mentors at US. In 2018, 11 participants enrolled for the course with contact sessions on 2 February, 6 April, 11 June and 14 September.
Auxin: Auxins (from Greek auxano, “to grow"), takes place annually on a monthly basis. Centre for Teaching and Learning Advisors invite teaching and learning champions across faculties to share best practices. The purpose is the creation of theory-research based professional learning opportunities for academics towards becoming scholarly teachers. In 2018, 6 sessions were hosted with approximately 140 participants. On 25 September, Dr Anita Jonker (2nd from left) presented the topic: “Interdisciplinary curriculum design: A case study from a module on gender, culture and religious diversity as part of the EDP support subject introduction to the humanities".
First Year Achievement Awards: Award winners in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences with Prof A Schoonwinkel (5th from left) and Prof R du Preez (4th from right). These award are made annually so to acknowledge ''good teaching and learning''. The 11th annual First-year achievement award dinner honoured 32 top academic achievers of 2018 and their 26 nominated lecturers. On the 11th of April 2018. Professor Ronelle Carolissen, Vice-Dean (Learning and Teaching) in the Education Faculty, delivered an encouraging address during which students and their lecturers exchanged letters of recognition and encouragement.
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning: Winners of the Best Research Paper: M Barnard, S Adams, and R du Preez on the topic “Gamification For the Win!... or not? Evaluating Student Perceptions". The 11th annual SoTL conference took place from 29 – 31 October 2018 with the theme Academic Leadership. This event aims to address all aspects of teaching and learning at SU in an open, supportive and intellectually stimulating atmosphere. It provides a platform where academics share and celebrate teaching and learning practices and research. Participation has grown exponentially since its inception in 2007 with 84 presentations and 250 registered participants this year. The keynote speakers, Dr Kathleen M Quinlan (Director: Centre for the Study of Higher Education, University of Kent) and Professor Magda Fourie-Malherbe (Centre for Higher and Adult Education, Stellenbosch University), challenged the audience with thought-provoking presentations. Other winners included E Faadiel (Best Practice-based Paper) and P Southey (Delegates Choice Award).
