Blogging to enhance reflective and collaborative learning

This study explored the educational benefit and value of blogging by postgraduate nursing students registered for Masters in Nursing Education in order to become professional nurse educators. The researcher assumed that blogging could improve collaborative learning among postgraduate students and enhance reflective practice skills. Critical reflection on experiences is envisaged to allow lecturers and students to develop a deeper understanding of themselves. Salmon’s five-stage model of online learning was used as it can provide valuable insight into how blogs can be utilised in online learning. The whole class was trained to set up group blogs by colleagues from the Centre for Innovative Educational and Communication Technologies at the university. Within their blogs they engaged with issues relating to curriculum development, also giving own reflections on these issues. Students were assessed on how well they reflected and commented on specific topics, concepts and principles. The students were initially challenged by this activity and seemed frustrated by low levels of engagement with colleagues within their blogs. The facilitator noticed adequate engagement in two of the three group blogs, where the students exchanged thoughts and ideas and shared experiences. On reflection, they expressed very positive attitudes toward use of blogs as a platform to reflect on their learning and teaching. The blog of the third group of students was dormant, with very limited activity. It is important that facilitators carefully select appropriate technological tools or strategies for teaching and learning, and do not assume that students will be comfortable with the technology even after training and preparation.Department of HE and Training approved lis

Waqf Renaissance Transforming Islamic Economy

Waqf is an Arabic word meaning assets that are donated, bequeathed, or purchased for being held in perpetual trust for general or specific charitable causes that are socially beneficial. It has significant contribution to the Islamic economy. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to review the waqf renaissance in transforming the Islamic economy. To achieve the purpose of this study, extensive literature on Waqf was reviewed. Thus, the findings of this study are based on the review of literature. It is observed that Waqf has significant contribution to the Islamic industry. The role of Waqf is significant to boost the transformation of Islamic industry. It has the potential to reduce the poverty level and increase the economic activities. Therefore, this study is important for the practitioners while making the strategies to boost the Islamic Industry

Attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards E-learning at the University of the Western Cape

The development of the Internet has provided an opportunity for offering e-learning as a new addition to modern education. Substantial evidence indicates that many universities across the world are offering study programmes through a variety of e-learning methods. Although e-learning environments are becoming popular, there is limited research on learners’ attitudes toward online learning environments. Past research has identified a variety of factors affecting user attitude in relation to e-learning. It is against this background that this article seeks to determine the attitudes of undergraduate nursing students toward e-learning at the University of the Western Cape. A survey was conducted among 213 undergraduate nursing students to assess their attitudes toward e-learning. The study employed a survey methodology based on the questionnaire that was distributed randomly to students to assess their attitudes towards e-learning, and to establish whether any existing demographical factors impacted on the students’ use of e-learning. From a valid response rate of 86%, the statistical analysis revealed that learner satisfaction was influenced by perceived ease of use, gender, and study-year level of respondents. The findings demonstrate a favourable attitude towards e-learning among nursing students at the University of the Western Cape.Department of HE and Training approved lis

Reflections on nursing students’ e-learning experiences

Introduction: E-learning has been integrated into the curriculum of the School of Nursing (SON) because it supports the principles of the case-based approach adopted by the SON. Aim: The primary aim was to gather baseline data on e-learning by exploring the perceptions and experiences of the first pilot group of undergraduate nursing students who were exposed to this strategy. Methods: A descriptive cross -sectional quantitative design was used to collect data regarding the students’ understanding and value of e-learning, the benefits and skills gained, challenges experienced, by means of a structured, open-ended questionnaire. Convenience sampling was used because the questionnaire was distributed to the 87, third year undergraduate nursing students who completed the Primary Mental Health Care module in June 2006. Microsoft Excel software was used for the capturing and analysis of the data. Results: The findings indicate that 19.5% did not have an accurate theoretical understanding of e-learning in spite of being exposed to at least two sessions of KNG training. The data confirmed that e-learning affords convenience, flexibility and improved access to digital resources. Initial confusion and system down times were cited as important challenges. Conclusion: Although some students struggled initially, the majority (87.8%) succeeded finally in mastering e-learning and regarded the experience as valuable in that 90% rated it as beneficial enough to be recommended to other students

Revisiting innovative approaches to teaching and learning in nursing programmes: educators’ experiences with the use of a case-based teaching approach at a nursing school

Innovative approaches to teaching and learning have been acclaimed by educators in health care related professions as being more suitable to teaching future professionals, and to engendering critical thinking, as well as the competencies that are relevant to the needs of the society. This article focuses on teachers’ concerns about the implementation of the case-based method of teaching at a school of nursing in the Western Cape, South Africa. Teachers involved in this method of teaching for at least two years provided qualitative data through a series of focus group discussions (4 FGDs) organised according to the different year levels of the nursing programme of the School of Nursing, so as to be able to contextualise answers to the study questions. The FGDs were followed by a one-day consensus workshop for all educators involved in case-based teaching for a shared discussion that concentrated on finding solutions for the future. Concerns raised included issues about the facilitation role of the teacher; the role of the student; curriculum alignment; assessment methods; and the role of the environment in case-based teaching and learning settings. Recommended solutions were aligned to the identified concerns.Department of HE and Training approved lis

Cultural Heritage Tourism Potential at Six former American Board Mission Stations.

Peer reviewed journal article.This initial assessment of the cultural heritage tourism potential is a component of a broader project aimed at conducting research and revitalizing selected former American Zulu Mission Stations in southern parts of KwaZulu-Natal. Whilst the Heritage, Tourism and Community Development Project is being considered by a range of stakeholders including local communities at the localities where the six mission stations are located, the University of KwaZulu-Natal is charged with leading the research component of the project. The purpose of research in this project is to 'lay bare' the indelible print on the cultural and heritage landscape left behind by the missionaries in this region of South Africa. A principal component of the project is to encourage community development through promotion of religious heritage tourism in order to stimulate local tourism-based production and services such as crafts, hospitality accommodation and cultural/educational events in the Mission Stations. Therefore, the purpose of this part of the research is to present an initial scan of the heritage tourism potential of the six mission stations

Innovative education strategies implemented for large numbers of undergraduate nursing students: the case of one South African university nursing department

The nurse education and training landscape in South Africa has changed in different ways over the past century, with the result that education and training of nurses does not necessarily translate into an adequate supply of professional nurses for the health care service. Today there is a shortage in this category. Factors which contribute to this shortage include nurses moving from the public to the private sector due to perceived better conditions of service, migration, burden of disease, reduction in bed occupancy and an ageing nurse population. Many professional nurses are now reaching retirement, and it is imperative that the training and supply of young professional nurses for the country be reconsidered in the light of this. According to Pillay, the majority of nurses’ training begins in the public sector and their knowledge is grounded on this experience. When sufficient experience is gained, they seek out better opportunities in the private sector and migrate to the more developed countries. This loss of experience from the public sector impacts negatively on the capacity to mentor new graduates, which in turn results in the young, professional, trained nurses seeking better opportunities with organizations where they can develop further. The net result of this is that the public sector is left with overworked, older staff who are on the verge of retirement.Web of Scienc