Focusing on the high failure rate among first-year learners, particularly at black universities, explored student perceptions of their studies. Found that for these students, learner preparation was a non-significant, while lecture style was a significant, influence on their perceptions of university studies. Recommends that students be taught to…

Examined the relative efficiency of 10 South African universities between 1994 and 1997 using the analytical review technique. Identified the relatively efficient, relatively inefficient, and least efficient. Important efficiency factors include student population dimensions, quality and deployment of personnel resources, and allocation of…

Addresses the concept of transdisciplinary training by discussing the application of the approach to the development of a Web-based multi-professional master's course in early childhood intervention. Discusses challenges and issues related to the training process and the importance of institutional support. (EV)

Describes the structure and functioning of a computerized database of student information within an admissions testing program (the University of Port Elizabeth's Admissions and Placement Assessment Programme). Discusses how it could serve as a model to foster development and accountability through information sharing. (EV)

Noting South Africa's emphasis on program-organized learning in higher education, and based on experiences in the Academic Planning Unit at the University of the Western Cape, discusses the role of faculties in program development and offers suggestions concerning the reengineering of faculties for collaboration across disciplinary and…

Discusses what benchmarking is and reflects on the importance and development of benchmarking in universities on a national and international level. Offers examples of transnational benchmarking activities, including the International Benchmarking Club, in which South African higher education institutions participate. (EV)

Explores: (1) What are recent trends in the regionalization of higher education (RHE)? (2) What are preconditions for effective RHE? (3) What is envisioned for RHE in the Southern African Development Community's Education and Training Protocol? (3) What are strengths and weaknesses of this protocol? and (4) What guidelines can be set for southern…

This paper takes as its focus the initial impressions of education and the role of the educator among those entering the "profession" of "FE educator". The research is carried out with those currently working as educators undertaking recognised teaching qualifications through part-time, in-service training at either C&G Stage 1 & 2 Combined or…

Initial teacher training for post-compulsory education in England is currently undergoing profound change in terms of central direction of curricula and the provision of financial support for trainees. Within a discourse of the "professionalisation" of teaching in the sector, unprecedented control of the detailed structure and content of training…

It is commonly assumed that there is a zero sum contest between assurance and enhancement: the drive to secure the accountability of institutions to their external stakeholders, and of teachers to their managers, is thought to undermine the creativity and commitment of "front line" academic staff. In exploring the roots of the problem, this…

Outputs from a computerised touch pad turnstile security system that recorded business students' entries into and exits from a university's buildings revealed that a significant number of the institution's first-year intake withdrew from their (business) degree programmes within a few weeks of enrolment. Accordingly, a sample of these "early…

In this article we discuss some challenges confronting teachers in higher education when responding to the needs of international students. It is argued that curriculum design within mainstream courses is a key tool to embed language and learning skills in course content, and so foreground those elements that can promote students' familiarisation…

The concept of design for learning has arisen as education faces up to the implications of modern pedagogy, student diversity, and the affordances of information and communication technologies. This paper examines some of the benefits and issues for teachers in further and higher education surrounding the idea of learning design and its practical…

Over the last decade, larger student numbers, reduced resources and increasing use of new technologies have led to the increased use of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) as a method of assessment in higher education courses. This paper identifies some limitations associated with MCQs from a pedagogical standpoint. It then provides an assessment…

This article explores the use of discourse analysis and conversation analysis as an evaluation tool in problem-based learning. The basic principles of the methods are discussed and their application in analysing talk in problem-based learning considered. Findings suggest that these methods could enable an understanding of how effective…