First Year Experience Project
IRST YEAR: In a bid to curb first year dropout rates, CPUT will roll out an integrated First Year Experience (FYE) Project
Tuesday, 09 December 2014
In a bid to curb first-year dropout rates, CPUT will roll out an integrated First Year Experience (FYE) Project.
Details of this project, which is spearheaded by Fundani CHED, was revealed at the RITAL conference held recently at the Granger Bay Campus.
The annual RITAL conference provides a platform for CPUT staff to showcase research into innovative teaching and learning initiatives.
This year’s theme was Reclaiming Quality: Enhancing the scholarship of teaching and learning in Higher Education. CPUT staff delivered presentations that focused on the subthemes of curriculum development, teaching, learning and assessment practices, and first years.
Fundani CHED’s Dr Nosisana Mkonto presented on the FYE Project and says first-year retention is not just a South African problem, but a global one.
Mkonto says studies have shown that there are numerous reasons why students fail or withdraw from their studies, ranging from financial difficulties to a mismatch between the student and the course.
Mkonto says first years need to be nurtured and supported.
“As the CPUT community we are going to create a supportive, integrative first year to enhance student development and success,” she says.
The FYE Project focuses on high-impact activities and practices, such as an extended orientation programme and an early warning, referral and support system. Interventions such as online help material, workshops and a mentoring programme have also been included in the project.
Mkonto says when conceptualising the project, they looked at how best they could integrate it to ensure that faculties and support departments work alongside one another to ensure student success.
As a result, structures have been set up in faculties to ensure the success of the project and training will also be rolled out for academic staff.
“The support is not only for students at risk, but for all first years,” says Mkonto
Written by Candes Keating
Email: keatingc@cput.ac.za
Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.
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