Program Overview

Programme: BEdHons Learning Support (Distance Education)

Programme Information

The Faculty of Education at the University of Pretoria offers a BEdHons Learning Support programme in a distance education delivery mode. This programme is designed to meet the training needs of teaching staff in South Africa and is presented in a blended education mode, supported by academic contact sessions.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for this programme, applicants must have:

• A relevant bachelor's degree and a relevant Teacher's Diploma (e.g., BA + HED)
• A relevant bachelor's degree and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education
• A relevant four-year bachelor's degree in Education (e.g., BEd)
• A relevant M+4 Teacher's Diploma and a relevant Advanced Diploma in Education

Other Programme-Specific Information

• The learning materials are available only in English.
• Students have two contact sessions with lecturers per year, which take place over a period of at least one consecutive day at different centers countrywide.
• Students are responsible for arranging their own transport, accommodation, and food during contact sessions and examinations.

General Requirements

• Students must complete and submit at least two assignments per module, which contribute 30% towards the final mark.
• If a student fails the examination in a module twice, they will be de-registered for that module and must re-register, paying the full tuition fees again.
• A student in the honours programme may only re-register for a module once. If they do not pass the module after the second registration, they will be de-registered from the whole programme.

Examinations and Pass Requirements

• Examinations take place twice a year, in April and October, at examination centers countrywide.
• Students must register for examinations as stipulated under faculty-specific regulations.
• A final mark of at least 50% is required to pass a module, calculated using assignment 1 (10%), assignment 2 (20%), and the examination/project (70%).

Research Information

• A research project is compulsory and must be prepared according to the requirements of the specific department.
• Both assignments for the project are compulsory, and the project contributes 70% towards the final mark.

Pass with Distinction

• The degree is conferred with distinction on a student who has obtained an average of at least 75%, with a minimum of 70% in each module.

Core Modules

The following core modules are part of the programme:

• EDS 733: Philosophy and social imperatives of education
• NMQ 734: Educational research methodology
• CDD 733: Curriculum development
• ILN 733: Identification and assessment of learners' needs
• LSG 733: Learning support
• NMQ 735: Research proposal
• JGS 733: Early intervention in numeracy and literacy
• LSG 781: Research report

Module Content

EDS 733: Philosophy and social imperatives of education

• Meta-theories in education
• Empiricism; rational empiricism; critical rationalism; critical theory; phenomenology; hermeneutics; system theory
• Philosophies in education: traditional philosophies; indigenous (African) philosophies
• The influence of modernism and postmodernism on education
• Sociological imperatives for education

NMQ 734: Educational research methodology

• The nature of educational enquiry
• Research ethics, truth, rationality, subjectivity, and objectivity
• Quantitative and qualitative modes of enquiry, research designs, and data collection techniques
• Statistical techniques in the educational research process

CDD 733: Curriculum development

• Principles and foundations of curriculum/programme design and development
• International and national models and trends in curriculum/programme development
• Principles of outcomes-based programming in the SAQA context

ILN 733: Identification and assessment of learners' needs

• Implementing inclusive education principles
• Adapting educational activities to meet learners' levels of competence
• Modifying the National Curriculum Statement
• Conducting alternative assessment procedures

LSG 733: Learning support

• Developing knowledge and insight regarding learners with learning difficulties
• Systemic factors influencing learner development
• Principles of inclusive education
• A practical learning support model focusing on assessment and devising supporting strategies

NMQ 735: Research proposal

• Guided literature research
• Formulation of a conceptual framework
• Development of a research proposal for a supervised research project

JGS 733: Early intervention in numeracy and literacy

• Theoretical knowledge and practical skills in dealing with numeracy and literacy in Early Childhood Education and Foundation Phase
• Inquiry-based and critical stance on issues raised globally and nationally

LSG 781: Research report

• Supervised research project of limited scope
• Application of quantitative and/or qualitative research methods
• Writing a research report and presenting a research paper in a team