Saide Current Awareness
04 March 2024

 

Distance Education

  • Media Article Text Analysis in the Context of Distance Education: Focusing on South Korea Source: ResearchGate This study provides valuable insights into the impacts and perceptions of remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the complexities of remote education, from influencing educational policies to affecting students' and parents' emotional states. The findings underscore the potential of remote learning in driving educational innovation while also pointing out its role in widening educational disparities. This research offers essential perspectives for shaping future educational strategies in crisis situations, emphasizing a balanced approach to harness the benefits of remote learning while mitigating its challenges.

 

 Education: South Africa

  • CUT Acts on NSFAS Funding Crisis to Resume Academic Programs, Engages Protesting Students Source: BnnBreaking The Central University of Technology acts to mitigate NSFAS funding issues, engaging in dialogue to quickly resume educational programs.
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  • Cape Town hosts global conference on navigating AI and the future of education Souce: IOL The way of the future is artificial intelligence (AI) in education, and that is why 1 000 school leaders from across the globe met virtually and on site at the British Council’s Schools Now! 2024 global conference that was held over three days in Cape Town.
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  • Gauteng officially launches school of arts Source: SAGovNews Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has officially launched Khutlo-Tharo Performing and Creative Arts School of Specialisation in Sebokeng on Thursday, with a focus on Research and Innovation. The Schools of Specialisation Programme continues to be a pioneering initiative by the Gauteng Department of Education, with Khutlo-Thato marking the 35th School of Specialisation to be launched in Gauteng.
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  • Gauteng specialisation schools boast innovative, engineering and media projects at #SOSFEST2024 Source: IOL The Gauteng Department of Education hosted its second annual School of Specialisation Festival, #SOSFEST2024, this weekend, at John Orr Engineering School of Specialisation in Milpark, Johannesburg.The #SOSFEST launched the first festival in 2022, at the very same venue. According to the department, the festival seeks to bring all 35 schools of specialisation across the province to showcase their talents, excellence, innovation, skills and knowledge through the projects of these learners.
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  • Empowering Learners Through Enriched Curricula Source: CIOAfrica Educators from across the globe came together in Cape Town, South Africa for the Schools Now! 2024 conference, themed around “Enriching Your Curriculum.” The three-day event, held from February 27th to 29th, provided a platform for educators and decision-makers to share best practices, explore innovative teaching approaches, and discuss strategies for enhancing the educational experience for students worldwide.

 

Language, Literacies and Research Writing

 

Open Access, Open Education and Open Educational Resources

  • Textbooks or Online Educational Materials? Source: The National Review College textbooks have become increasingly expensive over the years. Authors and publishers milk students all they can, regularly putting out “new” editions that have only minor, unnecessary changes. Some schools have tried to counter this burden by moving to online materials. That’s not a bad development, but in today’s Martin Center article, Duke student Sherman Criner wonders if this could go too far.

 

   Post Schooling

  • The Importance of TVETs in the World Economy: Insights from Africa Source: LinkedIn Dr. Vusi Maseko's article explores the multifaceted impact of TVETs on the world economy, with a special focus on practical examples from Africa, highlighting their significance in fostering innovation, enhancing employment opportunities, and promoting socio-economic development.
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  • ‘Ancillary’ nursing is an unrecognised nursing qualification in South Africa Source: IOL The South African Nursing Council (SANC) has warned there are up to 25% colleges operating in South Africa offering bogus nursing programmes. These colleges are misleading nurses based on blurred definitions between ancillary and auxiliary nursing and tainting the work of nurses, the cornerstone of the healthcare system.
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  • ‘Huge gaps’ in African open science movement, new network warns Source: Times Higher Education Reproducibility network aims to support researchers to share science openly, improving its applications and public support
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  • Forensic training- bridging the gap between education and workplace Source: Science Direct Outreach initiatives involves mentoring students, university collaboration, and program creation to diversify roles between academia and forensic practitioners. Mixer exercises foster student-forensic scientist interaction. Emphasis is placed on improving understanding of forensic science, particularly in regions like Southern Africa, where media portrayals often distort perceptions. The outreach initiative aims to correct these misconceptions, promote evidence-based forensic education, and address research shortages through collaboration between forensic laboratories and universities.
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  • Decolonizing Commerce Education: South African Students Demand African Business Insights Source: BBNBreaking Students in South Africa are pushing for a shift in business education, aiming to replace Western-centric materials with content that reflects African successes.
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  • Inclusive HE empowers students, helps to cultivate empathy Source: University World News In a society striving for equity and diversity, the realm of education, particularly higher education, stands at the forefront of change. As university classrooms become increasingly diverse, the call for inclusive teaching practices grows louder. This notion is supported by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as it argues that inclusive education involves dismantling barriers within institutional systems to ensure every student can participate fully and equally, becoming valued members of the learning community.

 

Skills and Employment 

  • South Africa's Economic Dilemma: Soaring Unemployment and a Reluctant Budget Pre-Elections Source: BNNBreaking Discover the alarming unemployment rates in South Africa as the nation faces economic challenges ahead of the 2024 elections. Explore the short-term fixes proposed and the call for sustainable economic reforms to tackle the deep-rooted issues.
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  • Employment and Labour on youth unemployment Source: SAGov Youth unemployment continues to spiral despite many interventions Despite the immense scale of focusing on policy, legislation, programme implementation and resource allocation – youth unemployment has worsened, the Labour Market Research Seminar was told yesterday (28 February 2024). This was according to two independent research reports presented by the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) as well as the Social Sciences Research Council (HSRC).

 

Teaching and Learning- Local and Global

  • TICZA IMPLEMENTATION COMPENDIUM Source: JET In 2024 the Teacher Internship Collaboration South Africa (TICZA) launches the Implementation Compendium, intended as a web-based collection and archive of knowledge produced within the TICZA collective. The Implementation Compendium consists of an array of short contributions that describe, examine and engage with activities and processes aligned with extended student teacher internships. Contributions are authored by one or more stakeholder that has been part of the collective impact project.
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  •  Teacher Task Force & UNESCO Global Report on Teachers Source: Teacher Task Force This report was officially launched on the first day of the 14th Teacher Policy Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa.  The first edition of the new biennial Teacher Task Force and UNESCO Global Report on Teachers focuses on the global teacher shortage that hinders the achievement of SDG4 and the Education 2030 agenda. With new data, including on financing, and recommendations to address the critical issue of global teacher shortages, the report serves as a call to action for education actors and policymakers, setting the tone for three days of dialogue in Johannesburg during the flagship event.
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  • Maths degrees need a new formula – but not greater specialisation Source: Times Higher Education To make maths programmes viable, we must make them more attractive to a wider pool of applicants, says Jens Marklof

 

Technology-Enhanced Learning

  • Policy guidance on AI for children Source: Unicef  Recommendations for building AI policies and systems that uphold child rights UNICEF has developed this policy guidance to promote children's rights in government and private sector AI policies and practices, and to raise awareness of how AI systems can uphold or undermine these rights. The policy guidance explores AI systems, and considers the ways in which they impact children.
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  • The New Frontier: The Surge in Demand for Tutors Amidst the Rise of Online Education in South Africa Source: LinkedIN As South Africa continues to embrace the digital transformation of education, we find ourselves at the forefront of a new era in learning. With the proliferation of online educational platforms, students now have unprecedented access to a wealth of knowledge and resources right at their fingertips. However, amidst this digital revolution, one crucial role has emerged as indispensable: the tutor.
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  • AIED. Coming of Age? Source: International Journal of AI in Education  This special issue resulting from a multitude of issues raised by discussions on the future of AIED - 15 opinion pieces from leading researchers representing a spectrum of views from within & beyond the AIED community

 

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