University of Cape Town Programs

The University of Cape Town offers a variety of programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as short courses and online education initiatives.

Sharing Online Assessment Practices (SOAP): Case Studies

The SOAP project aims to share online assessment practices and case studies from various faculties and departments at the University of Cape Town.

MUZ1397H - Foundation Practical Studies - Trombone

• Name: William Haubrich
• Course: MUZ1397H - Foundation Practical Studies - Trombone
• Faculty: Humanities
• Level: Undergraduate
• Category: Holding pattern/Difficulties
• One sentence summary: Assessments were not as effective and required more time as well as equipment in ERT. We tried to keep things as normal as possible, but used video recordings instead of live performances. Using Vula was helpful, but live assessments are preferable.

Context

This is a practical studies course at the College of Music. Each student has a 1-hour, one-on-one session per week. Students need to attend 80% of these classes to pass the course.

Purpose

Assessments are summative, with a final exam worth 50%, and a midterm exam worth 30%. Technical tests count 10%. Students are assessed in terms of their technical skill, as demonstrated by a video recorded performance.

Process

As a result of ERT, some elements of the normal assessment were not possible, e.g. sight reading, so that fell away. Students were allowed to edit their recordings and do multiple takes. Initially, students sent their video recording via WeTransfer, but later on they uploaded their recordings on Vula. The quality of the recording limits our ability to assess the student. Compared to live assessments, the process in ERT is more cumbersome, less effective and more time consuming.

Outcomes/Lessons learned

Using Vula instead of WeTransfer was very helpful. I tried to keep things as normal as possible, which meant I didn't reduce the workload. This gave students the opportunity to try and triumph in the situation, despite a little struggle.

Recommendations

For music, live assessments are definitely preferable.

Other Programs and Initiatives

The University of Cape Town also offers other programs and initiatives, including:

• Blended and Online Learning (BOLD) Project
• UCT Teaching Innovation and Curriculum Change Grants
• AI Teaching Innovation Grants 2025
• Learning Platforms Update Project
• Redesigning Blended Courses Project
• UCT Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)
• Cases on Open Learning (COOL) Project
• UCT Assessment Project
• Revising UCT's Assessment Policy
• UCT Formal Online Education Project
• Learning Design Voices
• Open Education Initiatives
• Unbundling Higher Education
• Previous projects, including Commonwealth Digital Education Leadership Training in Action (C-DELTA), Personal Mobile Device Project, Structured Training for African Researchers (STARS), and The Laptop Project.

University of Cape Town: A Summary

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Overview:

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is a globally recognized university located in South Africa. It is committed to unleashing human potential to create a fair and just society, with a focus on transformation, sustainability, and excellence. UCT is known for its strong academic programs, research initiatives, and commitment to social responsibility.

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Services Offered:

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

The provided context does not offer specific details about student life and campus experiences at UCT. However, it highlights the university's commitment to creating a supportive environment for students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

International Recognition:

UCT graduates hold qualifications that are recognized globally.

Social Justice Focus:

The university emphasizes values of engaged citizenship and social justice.

Research Excellence:

UCT is a leading research institution in Africa, contributing to new knowledge and addressing global challenges.

Sustainable Development Goals:

UCT is committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and plays a critical role in addressing global challenges through research.

Transformative Initiatives:

UCT is actively involved in initiatives like the African Paediatric Fellowship Programme and the 100UP programme, which aim to address critical issues in healthcare and education access.

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Academic Programs:

The context mentions the university's commitment to generating new knowledge in, for, and from Africa. It also highlights specific research achievements, such as identifying a new heart-attack gene and a landmark restitution of human remains. However, it does not provide a detailed list of academic programs offered at UCT.

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Other:

UCT is ranked among the top 1.3% of universities worldwide by the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR). The university is actively involved in various initiatives to address global challenges, including climate change and healthcare access.