Describes a computer program that generates a bank of items for second-language learning drills, including the differential processing of nouns, adjectives, and verbs. The program is used in a New Testament Greek course at the University of the Orange Free State (South Africa), and the exercises generated are tied directly to the course textbook.…

A study at Cape Technikon (South Africa) investigated college choice decision making by surveying 923 applicants during the application process and 314 enrollees during orientation. Results show demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of applicants and enrollees differ, applicants consider multiple institutions, alumni and friends are the…

Describes a survey of faculty members at the University of Witwatersrand (South Africa) which investigated the extent of support for use of teaching portfolios, in addition to student evaluations, as a method for evaluating faculty for promotion, and based on responses, development of a profile of portfolio content and procedures for its review.…

Describes a Rand Afrikaans University (South Africa) program to prepare learners for lifelong, self-directed learning. Components include reduced classroom contact, increased independent study, use of a modular study guide, optimum student participation, and continuous evaluation. Focuses on the seven-year process of transforming the project into…

Outlines steps in adapting tests for cross-cultural use: selection of an appropriate instrument for adaptation; translation of the source instrument; selecting an experimental design; determining administration parameters; pilot testing; and assessing psychometric equivalence. Focuses on potential problems during the adaptation process and on…

A study using 10 University of South Africa education graduates investigated how students experience two very different textbooks. Results suggest that the students' personal circumstances dictated their approaches to instructional texts. Other factors included English language proficiency; textual features (advance organizers, visual aids,…

Describes problem-based learning at South Africa's University of Transkei (Unitra) medical school, including the curriculum's design and instructional strategies in use. Reports a survey of 20 faculty and 35 students studying to be medical doctors (MBChBs). Results indicated a majority of faculty and students agreed on the effectiveness of the…

A survey of 2,071 first-year students in university distance-education programs found the two most common learning strategies were repetitive reading of course materials and summarization of facts. Wide variation in strategies was found, apparently determined by both learner characteristics and nature and design of instructional materials,…

South Africa's post-apartheid college admission strategies show that initially, applicants may be accepted or rejected solely based on academic merit. If predictors are found to be biased at this stage, they may be statistically adjusted. Subsequently, representation of specific groups may be considered using quotas, but also with consideration…

A guide for college faculty who have never written research reports for journal publication outlines the rationale for writing such reports, outlines difficulties in getting published initially, explains factors that may contribute to failure of a research project, and provides specific procedures for producing a publishable paper. Advice…

Two perspectives on higher education's stakeholders and their involvement in the development of knowledge in universities are examined and contrasted: (1) that the "stakeholder" notion of knowledge doesn't allow for critical engagement with knowledge, and (2) that the "stakeholder" view of knowledge acknowledges clear links between knowledge and…

Studied the contribution of feminist pedagogy to the task of reconceptualizing English language teaching in multilingual classrooms. Narratives of five South African educators show how participants attempt to negotiate barriers and balance rights, justice, morality, and care. (SLD)

Examined gender representation patterns in higher education transformation in South Africa and conducted a study of the numbers of women in top academic and administrative structures. Findings show that the pattern of representation has changed very little over the 3 study years. (SLD)

Conducted a case study of efforts to progress with distance education in South Africa given the constraints of the country's digital divide. Results show that digital divide problems can undermine the provision of enhanced pedagogies in distance education programs, hampering the position of individuals of low socioeconomic status. (SLD)

Discusses the enhancement of higher education in South Africa through technology, exploring some relevant aspects through learner-centered and managerial perspectives. Outlines some critical conditions to integrate technologies into teaching and learning. (SLD)