Graduate attributes: How some university students experience and learn them

The voices of university students are often absent from academic discourses on the learning of graduate attributes (GAs). Such attributes are mostly constructed and conceptualised from the viewpoint of academics, institutions, education authorities and industry. However, as students within democratic contexts are increasingly challenged to assume greater responsibility for their own growth and development, it seems imperative that they participate in discussions related to the acquiring of graduate attributes. This article reports on how students at one South African university understand and relate to graduate attributes. Data were generated from a group of students at the University of the Western Cape through focus group interviews and photo elicitation. The results indicate that students who understand what graduate attributes are and how they can acquire these attributes might enhance such students’ further growth and their employability

A change in the name of the type of Chondria C. Agardh (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta)

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149775/1/tax01150.pd

An Account of the Foxglove, and Some of its Medical Uses

In 1775, the physician and botanist William Withering (1741–99) was informed of a folk cure for dropsy that had as its active ingredient the plant foxglove (Digitalis purpurea). Ten years later, after thorough trials on more than 150 patients, Withering published this monograph on the medicinal applications of the plant, not least to keep less experienced doctors from administering it to patients without the proper caution, given the plant's toxicity. Withering was the first doctor to employ foxglove as a remedy for congestive heart failure, which is now the primary disease treated by foxglove-derived pharmaceuticals, and the results from his trials broadly reflect those produced by modern physicians. Withering's first major publication, A Botanical Arrangement of All the Vegetables Naturally Growing in Great Britain (1776), which includes observations on the medicinal applications of British plants, is also reissued in this series.</jats:p

William Withering, Edgbaston, [Warwickshire], to James Edward Smith

Apologises for sending enclosed volumes so long after publication [probably Withering's "An arrangement of British plants" third edition]. Encloses two species of 'Arundo' of Linnaeus gathered last summer for Smith to name, always supposed them 'Arundo epigejos' and 'Arundo calamagrostis'; detailed observations on each, gives characters of his specimens. Received specimens of 'Chizonia pulchella' recently found for first time since being found on north coast of Cornwall some years ago; differences with figure he originally made [in his "Botanic arrangement"]. Corrections to his 'Gentiana collina' figure; from new specimens received thinks it is nondescript. Thanks Smith for offer of sending proof sheets of "Flora Britannica" as they came off the press so as to correct his own work, but various circumstances means he could not profit by such. Asks after possibility of seeing Smith at Edgbaston

A Botanical Arrangement of All the Vegetables Naturally Growing in Great Britain

This two-volume milestone work, published in 1776, was the first major publication of William Withering (1741–99), a physician who had also trained as an apothecary (his Account of the Foxglove, and Some of its Medical Uses is also reissued in this series). The first systematic botanical guide to British native plants, the present work uses and extends the Linnaean system of classification, but renders the genera and species 'familiar to those who are unacquainted with the Learned Languages'. Withering offers 'an easy introduction to the study of botany', explaining the markers by which the plants are classified in a particular genus, and giving advice on preserving specimens, but the bulk of the work consists of botanical descriptions (in English) of the appearance, qualities, varieties, common English names, and uses of hundreds of plants. The book continued to be revised and reissued for almost a century after Withering's death.</jats:p

Students’ perceptions of their learning of graduate attributes at the University of the Western Cape

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2019.ENGLISH ABSTRACT :Student voices are notably absent from academic discourse on graduate attributes (GAs) as such attributes are often constructed and conceptualised from the viewpoint of educational institutions, government and industry. The overarching aim of the study was to gain deeper insight into how students understand graduate attributes to be developed and learnt within the institutional context of one higher education institution, namely the University of the Western Cape (UWC). With students increasingly being challenged to assume greater responsibility for their own growth and development, it is imperative that they be brought into the discussion around graduate attributes. This study involved participants registered as UWC students and involved in the programme offerings of the Leadership and Social Responsibility (LSR) office in 2016. Within an interpretive knowledge position, an exploratory institutional case study design was utilised. Qualitative data were generated through the use of two focus group interviews, one individual interview as well as photo elicitation activities over a period of three weeks. The main study findings indicated that students hold some measure of understanding of what graduate attributes are, how they acquire these attributes and that they are important in the context of increasing students’ employability. It also emerged that the staff at the institution play a vital role in how graduate attributes are learnt and developed. There appears to be an expressed need that graduate attributes should be embedded within all facets of the institution and, importantly, students’ own self-interest has a crucial role within how graduate attributes are taken up.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Geen Afrikaanse opsomming geskikbaar nie