The NWU’s Senate Committee for Teaching and Learning (SCTL) approved, on 12 September 2018, the new Induction Programme for Academics. The programme is structured modelling a blended learning experience, that is, online and contact. For both the novice and the experienced academic staff member, the final requirements for completing the Induction programme are: (i) Complete the Online component; (ii) Attend the three-day Campus programme; (iii) Attend the one-day Faculty programme; and (iv) Create and submit a reflective Portfolio of Evidence. These requirements are completed within the first three to six months of appointment. The criteria for the electronic and reflective portfolio of evidence articulates from Induction to learning opportunities within academic professional development.

In 2017 / 2018, the new programme was piloted and in 2019, the programme was implemented; in 2020, the new programme may be refined but not reviewed; an impact study will most probably be reported on that will inform the planning for the next three-year cycle.

 

Attached please find the Induction Framework.

Attached please find the Induction Campus programme dates for 2020.

The following are important dates of when the Campus programme as part of Induction will be offered; please register to attend!

 

MC: 24 to 26 March 2020

PC: 28 to 30 January 2020

VC: 27 to 29 January 2020

Portfolio submission: New academics appointed as from November 2019, the PoE deadline is, March 2020.

 

MC: 7 to 9 July 2020

PC: 7 to 9 July 2020

VC: 7 to 9 July 2020

Portfolio submission: New academics appointed as from May 2020, the PoE deadline is, September 2020.

 

MC: 2 to 4 November 2020

PC: 3 to 5 November 2020

VC: 2 to 4 November 2020

Portfolio submission: New academics appointed as from July 2020, the PoE deadline is, February 2021.

 

 

 

The three-day Campus programme offers new academics the opportunity to be competent in designing, developing, and delivering meaningful teaching and learning experiences for students. The Campus programme offers the novice academic staff member, an introduction to the higher education context and introduces the principles of constructive alignment. There is also a facilitated activity on designing a learning experience for students with sub-sections on (i) an introduction to blended learning; (ii) assessment in higher education; (iii) student engagement and facilitation; and (iv) integration of technology. The designing of a learning experience includes: basic lesson planning and an outcomes-based approach to teaching. For the academic staff member with teaching experience in higher education, the contact part of the programme includes: an overview of the Higher Education context, a facilitated introduction to curriculum design and development, and an introduction to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL).

 

The following is a summary of the day themes of the Campus programme that are facilitated:

 

1. Introduction to building your Portfolio of Evidence and navigate the Induction site on eFundi

2. Introduction to the NWU’s Learning Management System (LMS): eFundi tools

3. Tour your Campus support services and meet the CTL colleagues, on site

4. Showcase by a guest lecturer: Technology Integration / Media

5. Higher Education Context in South Africa and at NWU

6. Showcase by a guest lecturer: Trends in Higher Education Curriculum Transformation

 

7. Blended Learning:

8. Outcomes and Assessment in HE

9. Student Engagement and Facilitation

10. Completing the TPACK template

 

11. Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) (Experienced lecturers)

12. Micro-teaching and Lesson observations (Novice lecturers)

 

 

A one-day faculty-based programme is part of the integrated Induction offering for academic staff. A cross-campus approach ensures academic staff, novice and experienced, are introduced to faculty structures, roles and responsibilities are clarified, teaching and learning, research, and community engagement within the respective Faculty is addressed. There is also a strong mentoring component with the aim of the integration of the new academic staff into the respective Faculty.

 

 

3.     Academic Integrity Maturity Model

4.     Your role and responsibilities within the field of study

5.     Faculty mentors

6.     New Employee Orientation Programme (NEOP)

7.     Records Management training

8.     Library Services & Corporate and Information Governance Services

 

9.     Research Entities

10.  Philosophy in HE Teaching

 

From your date of appointment at NWU, you are required to attend the first scheduled Campus programme. Following attendance, three months are afforded for you to complete the requirements of your portfolio of evidence and for you to attend your Faculty programme. Should you only be able to attend the Campus programme at a future date, you are still required to submit your portfolio within the six-month experience from your appointment date.

 

Attached please find the Induction Timeframe and Portfolio Rubric.