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News Items
2023-03-29 |
HUMAN RIGHTS MONTH: Safety is not a privilege, it’s a right |
2023-03-29 |
HUMAN RIGHTS MONTH: Safety is not a privilege, it’s a right |
2023-03-29 |
MoU signing: Internationalisation of the Health Sciences in Africa |
2023-03-29 |
MoU signing: Internationalisation of the Health Sciences in Africa |
2023-03-28 |
UFS researchers contribute to roadmap for genomic disease surveillance in Africa |
2023-03-28 |
UFS researchers contribute to roadmap for genomic disease surveillance in Africa |
2023-03-28 |
Electoral reform: Is the electoral system keeping the ANC in power? |
2023-03-28 |
Electoral reform: Is the electoral system keeping the ANC in power? |
2023-03-27 |
UFS to cap more than eight thousand graduands |
2023-03-27 |
UFS to cap more than eight thousand graduands |
2023-03-27 |
Doing Community Development differently: lessons on immersive community work for Qwaqwa Campus students |
2023-03-27 |
Doing Community Development differently: lessons on immersive community work for Qwaqwa Campus students |
2023-03-24 |
The rivalry that powers Free State rugby returns |
2023-03-24 |
The rivalry that powers Free State rugby returns |
2023-03-24 |
Undiagnosed depression in tuberculosis patients threatens control of the disease |
2023-03-24 |
Undiagnosed depression in tuberculosis patients threatens control of the disease |
2023-03-23 |
Looking ahead: UFS unveils cutting-edge electron microscopy equipment |
2023-03-23 |
Looking ahead: UFS unveils cutting-edge electron microscopy equipment |
2023-03-22 |
Embracing diversity, strengthening human relationships and collective responsibility |
2023-03-22 |
Embracing diversity, strengthening human relationships and collective responsibility |
2023-03-22 |
UFS Library and Information Services hosts research seminar |
2023-03-22 |
UFS Library and Information Services hosts research seminar |
2023-03-20 |
Maths books add to scholarly work of UFS’ Prof Atangana |
2023-03-20 |
Maths books add to scholarly work of UFS’ Prof Atangana |
2023-03-20 |
HUMAN RIGHTS MONTH: I have the right to … |
2023-03-20 |
HUMAN RIGHTS MONTH: I have the right to … |
2023-03-20 |
Peer mentor programme a space for student learning and development |
2023-03-20 |
Peer mentor programme a space for student learning and development |
2023-03-16 |
Talented UFS students attract potential employers to career fairs |
2023-03-16 |
Talented UFS students attract potential employers to career fairs |
2023-03-16 |
The threats to South Africa’s domestic stability and security challenges |
2023-03-16 |
The threats to South Africa’s domestic stability and security challenges |
2023-03-15 |
Nomsa overcame obstacle to reach football heights |
2023-03-15 |
Nomsa overcame obstacle to reach football heights |
2023-03-15 |
Positive Masculinities, Gender-Based Violence, Men, Manhood, and Identity |
2023-03-15 |
Positive Masculinities, Gender-Based Violence, Men, Manhood, and Identity |
2023-03-15 |
Why it is unnecessary to make South African Sign Language the 12th official language |
2023-03-15 |
Why it is unnecessary to make South African Sign Language the 12th official language |
2023-03-15 |
‘A Decade of Impactful Research and Internationalisation’ - Prof Corli Witthuhn |
2023-03-15 |
‘A Decade of Impactful Research and Internationalisation’ - Prof Corli Witthuhn |
2023-03-14 |
What monsters lurk in the dark?: The impact of loadshedding on food systems in South Africa |
2023-03-14 |
What monsters lurk in the dark?: The impact of loadshedding on food systems in South Africa |
2023-03-14 |
Simulation is a wonderful training tool for health professional students |
2023-03-14 |
Simulation is a wonderful training tool for health professional students |
2023-03-10 |
UFS Sporting Legends: Former Protea thriving in ‘real world’ and assisting current crop |
2023-03-10 |
UFS Sporting Legends: Former Protea thriving in ‘real world’ and assisting current crop |
2023-03-09 |
UFS trains student volunteers to fight food insecurity |
2023-03-09 |
UFS trains student volunteers to fight food insecurity |
2023-03-07 |
Dr William Mhundwa first UFS graduate to receive prestigious Suzman Medal |
2023-03-07 |
Dr William Mhundwa first UFS graduate to receive prestigious Suzman Medal |
2023-03-06 |
A Culture of Acceptance Could Be Our Country’s Greatest Threat |
2023-03-06 |
A Culture of Acceptance Could Be Our Country’s Greatest Threat |
2023-03-05 |
UFS shocked and saddened by the untimely passing of MEC Tate Makgoe |
2023-03-05 |
UFS shocked and saddened by the untimely passing of MEC Tate Makgoe |
2023-03-03 |
2023: the year of starting our new future |
2023-03-03 |
2023: the year of starting our new future |
2023-03-02 |
Prof Philippe Burger breaks down South Africa’s recent grey listing |
2023-03-02 |
Prof Philippe Burger breaks down South Africa’s recent grey listing |
2023-03-02 |
UFS Networking Breakfast attracts top learners |
2023-03-02 |
UFS Networking Breakfast attracts top learners |
2023-03-02 |
Fostering entrepreneurship among young people |
2023-03-02 |
Fostering entrepreneurship among young people |
2023-03-01 |
Let us fight against blood cancer, other blood disorders |
2023-03-01 |
Let us fight against blood cancer, other blood disorders |
2023-03-01 |
Clinical Simulation – Where is it going? |
2023-03-01 |
Clinical Simulation – Where is it going? |
Project aims to boost science pass rate
2009-01-19
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Attending the launch of the HP grant of about R1 million to the UFS are, from the left: Mr Leon Erasmus, Country Manager for HP Technology Services in South Africa, Prof. Teuns Verschoor, Acting Rector of the UFS, and Mr Cobus van Breda, researcher at the UFS's Centre for Education Development and manager of the project.
Photo: Lacea Loader |
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The University of the Free State (UFS), in partnership with computer giant Hewlett Packard (HP), wants to boost the pass rate of its science students by using mobile technology.
The UFS is one of only 15 universities across Europe, the Middle East and Africa and the only university in South Africa to receive a grant from HP to promote mobile technology for teaching in higher education valued at USD$ 100,000 (or about R1 million). Altogether 80 universities from 28 countries applied for the grant.
“Last year HP invited a number of selected universities to submit proposals in which they had to explain how they are going to utilise mobile technologies in the redesign of a course that is presented at the university. The proposal of the Centre for Education Development (CED) at the UFS entitled “Understanding Physics through data logging” was accepted,” says Mr Cobus van Breda, researcher at CED and manager of the project.
According to Mr van Breda, students who do not meet the entrance requirements for the three-year B.Sc. programme have to enroll for the four-year curriculum with the first year actually preparing them for the three-year curriculum.
In order to increase the success rate of these students, the project envisages to enhance their understanding of science principles by utilising the advantages of personal computer (PC) tablet technology and other information and communication technologies (ICT) to support effective teaching and learning methodology.
“By using PC tablet technology in collaboration with data-logging software, a personal response system, the internet and other interactive ICT applications, an environment different from a traditional teaching milieu is created. This will consequently result in a different approach to addressing students’ learning issues,” says Mr van Breda.
The pilot project was launched during the fourth term of 2008 when 130 first-year B.Sc. students (of the four-year curriculum) did the practical component of the physics section of the Concepts in General Science (CGS) module by conducting experiments in a computerised laboratory, using data-logging software amongst other technology applications. “The pilot project delivered good results and students found the interactive application very helpful,” says Mr van Breda.
”The unique feature of the latter is the fact that real-life data can be collected with electronic sensors and instantly presented as computer graphs. It can then be analysed and interpreted immediately, thus more time can be devoted to actual Science principles and phenomena and less time on time-consuming data processing,” says Mr van Breda.
The CGS module can be seen as a prerequisite for further studies in physics at university level and in this regard it is of essence to keep looking for new models of learning and teaching which can result in student success. This year the theoretical and practical component of the physics section of the CGS programme will be done in an integrated manner.
Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
16 January 2009
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