| | http://www.sun.ac.za/si | The impact of the Advanced Diploma in Education on school leadership and management in Western Cape schools | The initiative focuses on the impact of the Advance Diploma in Education in School Leadership, and Management (ADSLM) on leadership and management effectiveness in Western Cape schools. The AD program, formerly known as the Advanced Certificate in Education program, has been running for years. The Department of Education Policy Studies at Stellenbosch University has been a service provider for the leadership and management aspects of the program. Other than the critical reflections of Davids and Waghid (2019), there has been very little research done to evaluate the impact of the AD program on school leadership and management improvement. Working with participating teachers in the ADSLM program, this initiative endeavors to provide an understanding of the ADSLM's effectiveness and offer recommendations for future leadership development programs that are impactful in the leadership and management of schools in the Western Cape. | 1625 | | |
| | http://www.sun.ac.za/si | Youth Development, Vocational Training and Student Recruitment through the vehicle of the Stellenbosch Youth Orchestra (SYO) | The SYO, is an orchestra for secondary school learners, established per request of community partners, with the intention of addressing societal challenges by providing a vehicle for the interaction and integration of youth from all backgrounds in Stellenbosch and its surrounds, thereby contributing to diversity, equity and inclusion. The previous SYO was disbanded after the passing of its musical director and conductor, Lona Antoniades, in 2007. The SYO also provides Teaching and Learning opportunities to student facilitators, who assist with management and administration of the ensemble. Student mentors coach sectional rehearsals, and perform alongside the learners in a form of 'apprenticeship', a model commonly followed in community music teaching settings. Beneficial community partnerships have been established with several schools, community music projects, schools, organisations, and other community partners. The emphasis is on social cohesion, so the orchestra is not attended to service primarily schools from privileged environments, but to draw members from the broader community, particularly the community music projects and organisations in close proximity to Stellenbosch. All SYO activities will align with Social Impact, and the official launch took place on Saturday 9 September in the Endler Hall, Department of Music. The SYO performed a 'curtain-raiser' prior to the start of the HearUS concert, which featured the Heydeburg Symphony Orchestra in a fundraising performance for HearUs, the Cochlear Impant Unit, based at Tygerberg Hospital. This organisation addresses the needs of those with no or minimal hearing, particularly from financially compromised backgrounds. Further performances with similar partnerships are planned for later in 2023, and during the course of 2024. | 1587 | | |
| | http://www.sun.ac.za/si | Literature for Deaf users and learners of South African Sign Language | This project entails the development, production and distribution of curriculum material in South African Sign Language. The bulk of the material consists of literature (dramas, poems, short stories, advertisements, and various other kinds of texts), all in South African Sign Language. Because sign languages do not have written forms, the various Deaf storytellers and poets are video-recorded while signing the literature (making allowance for the regional and other variation present in South African Sign Language). Often these recordings are done as part of so-called signing camps: several Deaf sign artists coming together to share their stories workshop-style and to improve on each other's creative work. After editing and adding purpose-developed illustrations to the recordings, the material can be used for enjoyment by Deaf persons or as study material by adult beginner learners of the language. The main purpose of the material is, however, to serve as DBE-approved prescribed texts in the South African Sign Language as Home Language CAPS curriculum (from Grade R to Grade 12) in schools for the Deaf across the country.The project participants (and in particular the Deaf South African project manager) are also from time to time approached by NGOs to sign educational and other material on their behalf. These assignments have included making stories about leopards, quiver trees and culturally important customs available in South African Sign Language. We have also accepted the invitation to produce four children's stories on COVID-19 available in South African Sign Language – as part of an international project making information on the pandemic accessible to Deaf children the world over. Furthermore, we have signed factual COVID-19-related material and made in available to the South African Deaf community of a dedicated website, and we have made South African Sign Language versions of the mental health-related information available on the website wieisek? available.Some of the material we produce is of a technical rather than a creative nature: We compile terminology collections for various fields of study, for instance on South African Sign Language signs for mathematical calculations, consumer studies, life orientation, and visual arts and design. This terminology is developed in consultation with schools for the Deaf, members of the Deaf community and subject specialists. The project is at times funded by the Western Cape Education Department and at other times by private foundations of special project funding available from the University, and the funding allows for the appointment of the Deaf project manager (herself an excellent sign language storyteller), a Deaf quality controller, a Deaf videographer and video editor, a hearing creative writer and translator and a hearing illustrator and graphic designer. The creative material is sold to schools for the Deaf outside of the province to offset some of the production and distribution costs. There is also a small budget with which to buy in the services of other Deaf signers, such as renown Deaf poets who create captivating poetry in their language. Aspects of the project has also been funded by a Stellenbosch University Social Impact Funding Grant. This funding enabled us to organise the signing workshops at which the Deaf facilitators and storytellers “visually listen" to each other's stories and assist each other in improving the stories. Once each story had been workshopped, formal recording and re-recording took place until the storytellers were satisfied with the recorded story. The project is multidisciplinary in nature, and we draw on the expertise available in the Visual Arts and Drama departments and rely on the support of the Language Centre for interpretation services. Where possible, we involve Deaf students, and we have a good working relationship with the Centre for Students with Disability. Throughout our activities, we bear in mind the common slogan in the Deaf world: "Nothing about us without us“, and therefore we work closely with the Deaf community to serve their needs best. | 1614 | | |
| | http://www.sun.ac.za/si | ENHANCING ENGLISH AND AFRIKAANS PROFICIENCY IN PRIMARY SCHOOL LEARNERS GRADES 1-7 | This initiative is a commitment which is aimed improving the English and Afrikaans proficiency of children in Grade 1-7 learners in the Saldanha Military Base and broader Saldanha Bay communities. | 1632 | | |
| | http://www.sun.ac.za/si | Framing Mobility: Frame running for people with disabilities | Framing Mobility is a social initiative dedicated to bringing frame running to people with disabilities in our country. Frame running is a safe activity for people with more severe disabilities whereby the individual runs in an assistive three-wheeled racer - it is common for people to leave manual and automated wheelchairs to feel the joy of running in a frame. Research has shown that there are numerous health and well-being benefits, as well as positive social engagement, associated with participation in frame running. The activity and sport is popular in developed countries, however it remains inaccessible in many developing countries due to cost barriers. Our goal is to make this activity accessible to people with disabilities in South Africa by providing essential equipment and establishing inclusive programs.The program will run as activity groups that will meet on a weekly basis. These groups will all have a leader, voluteers, the person participating and their caregiver. We will have groups meeting in different parts of Cape Town, Helderberg and Stellenbosch areas, and work within existing SU programs. These groups meeting details will be released as they are formed. People can sign up to come to a "come-and-try" day where anyone can try frame running and then sign up to a group if desired.Framing Mobility will be a registered social impact project and research platform within Stellenbosch University. It will be implemented by staff and student volunteers at Stellenbosch University and affiliated partners. The program will contribute to engaged teaching and learning with internal and external collaboration. This student-involved program will equip sport science, disability specialisation and sports medicine students with critical skills in working in adapted physical activity. The program will co-create research platform with the participants and researchers working together to ask questions whose answers will benefit the community it serves. | 1627 | | |
| | http://www.sun.ac.za/si | Virtual Realities in Tuberculosis: A Patient-Centric Exploration | The Societal Impact Task Team (SITT) aims to create an immersive and transformative experience through the use of VR technology. This technology can be utilised in teaching modules, community engagement initiatives, research participant recruitment and social media campaigns to reach a wider audience and convey key messages surrounding the realities of persons living with TB, the role of research in addressing the disease and reduce stigma within communities.. Through the lens of a VR360 film, this project endeavours to encapsulate the day-to-day life of a tuberculosis (TB) patient, intricately weaving in their participation in biomedical research led by researchers at Stellenbosch University's Biomedical Research Institute. The primary goal is to communicate the lived experiences of TB patients, harnessing the synergy of art and virtual reality as powerful mediums.VR has emerged as an unparalleled communication tool, transcending traditional media formats, and proving highly effective in engaging audiences, promoting understanding, and evoking emotional responses. Its immersive capabilities, allowing users to step into realistic three-dimensional environments, provide a unique and impactful experience across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and advocacy. The nature of VR captivates audiences, creating a sense of presence within the virtual environment that ensures active engagement by fostering a more personalised and meaningful connection to the content.In conveying complex topics such as healthcare and research, VR excels in promoting understanding through realistic simulations. It accurately depicts real-world scenarios, offering a nuanced view of patients' daily lives, interactions with other community members and staff at clinics, treatment procedures, and challenges associated with medical conditions like tuberculosis. VR facilitates experiential learning, allowing users to gain insights in ways traditional media cannot replicate. Moreover, VR's ability to elicit emotional responses is particularly impactful. By immersing users in the experiences of others, VR fosters empathy, building a heightened sense of emotional connection. This emotional resonance is crucial for effectively conveying messages related to health, advocacy, and societal issues.In the context of the "Virtual Realities in Tuberculosis" initiative, the utilisation of VR as a communication tool aims to amplify the impact of the message. By engaging audiences in an immersive, interactive, and emotionally compelling manner, this innovative approach not only educates but also creates a profound connection between the audience and the lived experiences of person with TB. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to contribute to the goals of awareness, community engagement, and empathy-building through this innovative medium. By providing an immersive glimpse into the challenges faced by those affected, the initiative aims to raise awareness about the disease, encourage active participation in research, and cultivate empathy within communities.Through this initiative, the SITT aims to achieve the following objectives:Immersive Experience Creation: Develop a compelling and immersive virtual reality (VR) film showcasing the day-to-day life of a person with TB, emphasising their journey through clinical research.Awareness Campaign: Implement a targeted awareness campaign leveraging the VR film to educate communities about tuberculosis, its challenges, and the importance of research participation in addressing the disease.Community Engagement: Facilitate community discussions and engagement sessions following VR film screenings, promoting dialogue, understanding, and empathy surrounding tuberculosis and clinical research in order to reduce the stigma still associated with TB.Patient Advocacy and Empowerment: Empower person with TB by providing a platform for them to share their experiences, fostering a sense of agency and advocacy within the community and encouraging those who may be hesitant to seek care.Research Participation Encouragement: Encourage active involvement in tuberculosis research by communicating the impact of research conducted within Stellenbosch University's Biomedical Research Institute on patient lives, aiming to increase participation rates and support for medical research initiatives.Educational Resource Development: Create supplementary educational materials and resources which can be used in teaching modules to accompany the VR film, facilitating deeper understanding and knowledge dissemination about tuberculosis and the importance of research. | 1626 | | |
