Our services include:

Policy design, development, implementation, evaluation and monitoring

Educational consultants:

• provide support related to teaching and learning in policy design, policy implementation and policy analysis at various levels (institutional, faculty, departmental, etc);
• adapt in providing input into sections of senate/ documentation for modules and qualifications;
• coordinate and host workshops to unpack national higher education policies (such as HEQF, HEQC audit documents, SAQA programme registration documents and templates, etc).

Curriculum review, design & development

Using a project-based approach, ECs are able to assist, guide and provide integrated support services regarding the review of programmes, modules and study units/courses. Qualitative reports are generated in order to highlight gaps and weaknesses in the architecture/design of modules, and programmes. They provide an environment based on collaborative initiatives regarding curriculum design, development, implementation and evaluation. At the core of the EC’s function lies the mission of promoting sound teaching, learning and assessment practices in order to contribute towards the advancement of knowledge, skills and values in learning programmes.

EC’s undertake reviews of existing material and learning environments and are able to assist with the interpretation of learner profiles; provide formative comments on materials and environments as they are developed.

Staff development & training

One of the core functions of ECs is to provide opportunities for continuing professional learning for lecturers based on the promotion of sound teaching, learning and assessment practices. This is achieved via the facilitation and hosting of workshops, seminars, discussion forums, and formal short courses, etc. Support is offered to groups and individual lecturers with the planning and development of (amongst others) learning opportunities, learning materials, curricula, assessment plan (including assessment opportunities and instruments) – they also offer and facilitate training in these areas mentioned. Training in other relevant topics such as: tutor training, portfolios & reflections, and facilitating discussions/sessions on various aspects of teaching practice, e.g. "large Ccasses", etc. are also provided.

Forums & structures

Educational consultants:

• provide input and support at relevant forums, such as the Programme Committee, the Education Innovation Committee and other relevant ad hoc committees;
• co-ordinate the Education Induction Programme for newly-appointed lecturers (campus-wide) and provide continuous support to new lecturers in the faculty;
• serve on appropriate and relevant task teams to improve teaching and learning.

Quality assurance: advice & monitoring

ECs undertake quality assurance of learning materials and environments. This is done through the compilation of reports after reviewing programmes, modules and courses. They are also able to develop quality assurance tools and instruments that can be used to gather information on the quality of teaching, learning, assessment, etc.

Promotion of an effective teaching & learning environment

ECs provide support in terms of undertaking/ ngaging in a blended teaching and learning environment as well as to provide input within e-learning project development teams – advising on appropriate learning models and other educational aspects.

“Why should I work with an EC team?"

The use of multidisciplinary teams for programme / curriculum / study material design and development in education is widely gaining popularity within the international educational landscape. Lecturers provide the content expertise which is balanced by educational expertise, editing, graphic design, student support, etc. In short, ECs offer educational expertise, knowledge of how students learn, knowledge of good practice in education, assessment plans and design and scholarship of teaching and learning.