What we offer

Curriculum Delivery and Innovation (CDI) supports staff with innovative teaching and learning practices through the use of technology. A variety of support services are rendered to faculties, including: individual consultation, blended learning course design and development, graphic design and training (staff and students).

CDI Projects

At the University of the Free State, blended learning has become part of the teaching and learning plan of the institution. This means that the academic has the opportunity to make use of face-to-face classes, as well as an online environment to teach a module/course. The University of the Free State uses Blackboard as its online platform. CDI provides a wide range of support to academic staff and students using Blackboard in their teaching and learning endeavors. This include consultation on the integration of this technology in teaching and learning, as well as staff and student training. Support and training is also provided on a range of third-party tools to use within Blackboard.

For more information visit Staff Buddy.

Assessment

In recognising assessment as a critical component of teaching and learning, as well as the need to enable academics and students to move towards a 21^st century innovative teaching and learning environment, the main focus of the assessment project within CDI is to implement e-assessment at the UFS by making use of the e-assessment system: Questionmark. To support this innovation and guide faculties in the way forward, the new assessment policy was approved in 2016.

Assessment Policy on the University of the Free State Coursework Learning Programmes_2016

Services provided by CDI includes training in the design and development of objective assessment, the use of Questionmark as e-Assessment system, as well as training to academics and students.

Graphic Design

The graphic designers are responsible for creating design solutions with a high impact for lecturers and postgraduate students. It includes the design of academic and commercial posters, PowerPoint presentations, drawing of diagrams and sketches for publication, advertisements, invitations, design of front covers for publications, certificates, banners, e-guides and multi-media design.  

All designs can be used for hard copy printing and/or digital distribution.

Course Design

The Module Makeover project is a Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) course design initiative, wherein academics can volunteer their course to undergo a makeover. As the term Module Makeover suggests, the concerning course goes through a transformation to improve the quality of teaching and learning in the course. Each makeover aims to address various needs in the course by incorporating CTL-proposed resources and interventions into the course’s curriculum delivery, and like any makeover, the ultimate goal is that the ‘after photo’ should outdo the ‘before photo’.

Check out some of the module makeover success stories by clicking on a link below:

• Addressing student engagement one frog at a time
• The Ultimate Showdown Support vs Challenge
• Blending in
• Writing Matters

Course Materials

Developing quality learning material that promote effective learning is imperative in any educational institution and requires careful planning, monitoring, and evaluation of all the course components, including the learning materials. It is therefore important to set up quality assurance processes to ensure that quality educational materials are developed. It is for this reason that CTL has initiated the Course Materials Project. The project aims to supply academic staff members with the means to develop quality learning materials. CTL course material aids offered by the project, includes: Faculty-specific study guide templates, Blackboard templates (basic to advanced), e-Guides (interactive electronic study guide), and e-Tivities.

• Economics and Management Science Module Guide
• Education Module Guide
• Health Sciences Module Guide
• Humanities Module Guide
• Law Module Guide
• Natural and Agricultural Sciences Module Guide
• Theology Module Guide

Classroom Engagement

Various technologies can be used to engage students in the teaching and learning process. As part of this project, the use of these technologies to implement best practices in teaching and learning are investigated. Within this project, attention is given to the use of iPads, laptops, and clickers in classroom engagement.

Student Skills

Student support and development towards the effective use of technology in teaching and learning is a core service provided by the CDI team. Within this area, support is provided to students towards the use of Blackboard, as well as general skills to be an effective 21st century student.

For more information, please contact us.