Theorising group work as an assessment tool in Higher Education at foundation level in Mauritius

Contemporary higher education study inherently encompasses the concepts of group work or collaborative learning into their curriculum. This is a practice-oriented paper that presents group project work within modern-day teaching, learning and assessment theoretical frameworks. By using anecdotal evidence to establish multi-cultural, assessed group work as 'troublesome knowledge' and as 'threshold concepts' for many students, this paper serves as a reminder to academic staff of the challenges faced by students as they navigate through this new learning environment. This paper uses the students' voice as a powerful means of observing students' perceptions on small group project work through private blogs, assessed within a diverse learning background. As a reflective practitioner, the researcher tries to challenge the assumptions academic staff make about student's understanding and familiarity with these fundamental notions. This paper is of significance to university staff as they prepare students for summative group work

Use of ICT tools (Tablet PC) to promote innovative teaching & learning and to develop students' 21st century skills at O' level: An action research case study in Mauritius

This paper outlines an action research case study in Mauritius to obtain crucial practitioner insights into the implementation of a Tablet PC project in a State Secondary School (National College) with O'level students, to promote innovative teaching & learning and to develop students' 21st century skills. The research was conducted over four weeks in a French literature class of 32 students when Tablet PC's were used to enhance and innovate their engagement with a satirical comedy play. Questionnaires and feedback forms were used to collect data from the students' perspective, in addition to teacher observations. This study investigates the general attitude of students about using information and communication technologies (ICT) tools such as Tablet PC and specialist softwares, as well as the impact on teaching and learning. It found that despite many limitations in the practicalities of using Tablet PC in schools, this ICT tool positively influenced student's learning behaviour, effective teaching & learning, and helped students develop 21st century skills