The functioning of the academic skills programme at selected campuses of Vista University, 1992 - 1996

Abstract

English: In summary, the main problem addressed in this study is that the Vista University AS programme has not been properly analysed and evaluated before. The sub-problems listed below relate to the effective functioning of the programme as it has been implemented between 1992 and 1996. They refer to the difficulties ASP co-ordinators have identified as problems in running the AS programme with its component programmes. The sub - problems to be addressed in this study are those identified by participants in the Vista Department of Student Development: - Problem 1: Problem 2: Problem 3: Problem4: Problem 5: Sub - problem 1 Conceptualising what Academic Development IS or reaching a common working definition; The direction Academic Development should follow at Vista University; What coherence the academic skills programme has in terms of effectively evaluating it. How does the diversity or uniformity of the programme affect its functioning?; How the structural, managerial, reporting and communication lines function with regards to ASP co-ordinators, campus management, academic staff, central university management and students; What the needs of students and AD staff are in the teaching and learning process and how these impinge upon the functioning of the AS programme. refers to a shared mission for Academic Development at Vista University against which the programme can be evaluated. Problem 2 refers to a vision and problems 3 to 4 to the effectivity of the structure, coherent plan and guidelines of the programme against which its functioning can be analysed. Problem 5 relates to the flexibility within the programme to accommodate change and improvement of the programme. From the literature the following points are important for consideration in planning more effective support: • Organisational structure and finance are closely linked. The type of support offered is a strategy to enhance the quality of education offered, which in turn is linked to the vision of the university. • Higher education will still be faced with an educational crisis in the near future. Massification and under-preparedness of students will challenge universities. The problem of first year drop outs or students failing second year at Vista University, when they are not supported any longer (Delvare, 1996:49) will continue to be a problem until the educational problems of the country has been addressed. The process could take a number of years still. In the meantime students cannot be left unsupported due to financial constraints. • The diversity of existing programmes which exist in theory and practise is a further challenge for Vista University. Choice of programmes will depend on the aims of the university. Choices will have to be made in order to improve the functioning of these programmes. Evaluation and research is essential and must be planned when choice of programmes are made. • Programmes that have integrated skills and language into content have been more successful than general programmes. From the case studies the following points emerged: The structure and organisation of ASP needs reviewing; • Status and effectiveness of co-ordinators needs attention; • The aim and strategies of the programme needs revision; • Vista University should invest more funds into academic development and programmes such as SI and Writing Centres which enhance student performance.

Afrikaans: Die vernaamste probleem wat in hierdie studie oor die Akademiese Vaardigheidsprogram (AVP) ondersoek is en nog nie tevore geanaliseer of geëvalueer is nie, word kortliks uitgelig. Die meegaande (onderliggende) probleme wat hier onder opgenoem word, hang saam met die effektiewe funksionering van die program soos dit sedert 1992 tot 1996 geimplimenteer is. Dit hou verband met dié op die lys wat die koordineerders van die AVP tydens die verloop van die program en die komponentprogramme ge-identifiseer het. Probleem 1: Konseptualisering van wat akademiese ontwikkeling behels en 'n bepaalde uitvoerbare definisie daarvan; Probleem 2: Die riglyne vir 'n Akademiese Ontwikkelingsprogram binne die Universiteit Vista; Probleem 3: Die riglyne vir effektiewe evaluering van die program en hoe dit deur die uniformiteit of diversiteit beinvloed word; Probleem 4: Of die strukturele, kommunikasie en bestuurskanale, (asook aspekte soos terugvoer en verslaglewering) effektiefofminder effektiefaangewend word met betrekking tot AVPkoordineerders, kampusbestuur, akademici, sentrale universiteitsbestuur en studente; Probleem 5: Die behoeftes of vereistes van studente en akademiese ontwikkelingspersoneel ten opsigte van die leerproses, en die invloed van sodanige persepsies op die funksionering van die Akademiese Vaardigheidsprogram. Die literatuur, wat by hierdie studie geraadpleeg is, dui die volgende aspekte aan wat in ag geneem moet word by die beplanning van meer effektiewe ondersteuningsprogramme: * Die organisatoriese strukture en finansies skakel nou met mekaar. * Die bepaalde steun wat aangebied is, vorm n strategie ter verwesenliking van die goeie kwaliteit van onderrig wat aangebied word. Hierdie aspek moet op sy beurt ten nouste verbonde wees aan die visie van die universiteit. * Hoër onderwys staar steeds krisisse in die gesig soos massifikasie en onvoorbereidheid van studente vir die eise van 'n universitêre loopbaan. Alvorens daar nie 'n daadwerklike oplossing gekry word vir Suid-Afrika se opvoedkundige probleme nie sal die groot getal eerstejaarstudente wat kursusse staak, sowel as die hoë druipsyfer onder tweede jaarstudente (wanneer onvoldoende steun verleen word) problematies bly (Delvare, 1996:49). Hierdie proses kan egter nog 'n hele paar jaar duur en intussen kan studente nie sonder steun aan hul lot oorgelaat word nie. Dit geld veral waar universiteite, sowel as studente, onder finansiële druk verkeer. * Die diversiteit van huidige programme wat beide in teorie en praktyk bestaan is 'n verdere uitdaging vir die Universiteit Vista. Die keuse van programme sal by die universiteit se doelstellings (soos aangedui in die missie van die universiteit) afhang. Die regte keuses sal gemaak moet word om die funksionering van programme te verbeter. Daarom is program seleksie en deeglike beplanning, tesame met evaluasie en navorsing, van die allergrootste belang. * As sodanig is programme wat taal- en ander vaardighede met die inhoud integreer meer suksesvol as dié wat slegs die algemene vaardighede behandel. Uit die studie van voorbeelde (programme wat as voorbeelde kan dien) het die volgende vorendag gekom en kan die volgende afleidings gemaak word: * die struktuur en organisasie (bestuur) van die AVP moet hersien word; * die status en effektiewe aanwending en optrede van koordineerders moet aandag geniet; * die doel en strategieë van die program moet heroorweeg word; * die Universiteit Vista sal fondse moet genereer en beskikbaar stel Vir akademiese ontwikkelingsprogramme soos skryflaboratoriums en skryfsentrums vir studente- instrukteurs om die sukses van die studente te verseker.