An assessment model in outcomes-based education and training (OBET) for Health Sciences and Technology in South Africa

Published ArticleThe study addresses a concern in higher education and specifically in Health Sciences and Technology regarding integrated and authentic assessment with an outcomes-based approach. From the information generated, an assessment model is proposed for application in Health Sciences and Technology. By applying the Delphi technique, a validated assessment model is presented for assessment in outcomes-based education and training in Health Sciences and Technology. The process and product of the research should add value to the assessment of learning in the outcomes-based approach in higher education with specific reference to Health Sciences and Technology

Formative assessment in doctoral education

Published ArticleThe overall goal of doctoral education is to prepare the doctoral student for the summative assessment of a thesis. However the focus of doctoral education is changing to include the attainment of professional attributes or competencies of the student. This article shares information collected from thirty-eight participants from a research-intensive university in the United States on the role of postgraduate formative assessment and, in particular, feedback as an essential element underpinning doctoral education. The findings emphasise the importance of constructive engagement and feedback embedded in formative assessment in doctoral education to develop scholarly and professional attributes in addition to research knowledge and skills

Appraising the quality of teaching and assessment practices

Published ArticleReflection and reflective practice as a method to inform facilitators' teaching and learning practices has been in use for a long time. It was first introduced by Dewy in 1933. The methodology consisted of a qualitative approach supported by a quantitative analysis and was prompted by a number of questions pertaining to reflective teaching. This article communicates how reflective teaching was embedded in the Radiographic Pathology module for undergraduates in 2007 as well as the outcomes of the process

A survey of the generic graduate skills that the Central University of Technology Radiography graduates need for the world of work

Published ArticleThe issue of Generic Skills has received considerable attention over the past few years as universities, in their response to calls for accountability, need to articulate and demonstrate the achievement of these (Barrie, 2005: 1). In recent years, employers and their representatives consistently demand that their employees must possess a range of personal and intellectual attributes. These include attributes beyond those traditionally made explicit in programmes of study in higher education institutions (Harvey, 2000:7). Universities describe these graduate qualities differently, resulting in a variety of terms used to target the same attribute (Barrie, 2006:218). This diversity of descriptions prompts questions as to the extent to what stakeholders in the Radiography programme understand by the term generic graduate skills. One of the major goals was to explore what the stakeholders involved in academic and work-based learning as well as radiography students identified as generic graduate skills radiography students must obtain during their studies to prepare them adequately for the world of work. Findings from this study agreed on the importance of higher education to be informed of expectations from employees in order to respond to the need of preparing students adequately for future job tasks and contributions to society. In addition to this. the study also identified the particular generic skills stakeholders regard essential for students entering the profession

Perceptions about cancer treatment : a Bloemfontein perspective

Published ArticleCancer patients have varying perceptions about their treatment. The aim of the study was to investigate the different perceptions that patients have about their treatment, and how these perceptions are influenced by their social and cultural backgrounds. The impact of these perceptions on patient responses was also investigated. Eighty-five patients were selected for the study and interviewed using a questionnaire to explore their perceptions and the possible impact of these perceptions on their responses to treatment. An analysis of the perceptions is provided

An investigation towards the need for a postgraduate qualification in the specialisation fields of Diagnostic Radiography at the CUT

Published ArticleThe current master's degree qualification in Diagnostic Radiography at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) is research based and does seemingly not address the need for training in the specialisation fields of Diagnostic Radiography sufficiently. To address this problem, a needs assessment was conducted amongst qualified diagnostic radiographers in Bloemfontein and Kimberley by means of quantitative questionnaires, qualitative interviews and a focus group discussion. The main aim of the needs assessment was to determine the need for a postgraduate qualification for radiographers in the specialised fields. The possible structure of such a program and the preferred mode of delivery were also investigated. The results of the study emphasised the need for a structured postgraduate learning programme in the specialisation fields in Diagnostic Radiography in the region. Responding to this validated need for a structured postgraduate qualification at the CUT, the current master's degree was revised to accommodate the results of the study and it was proposed to the Professional Board for Radiography and Clinical Technology for approval