Session details: 18 July 2024, venue- Conference Hall B, Ocean Sciences Campus
Rationale
To be effective in emulating the ethos of the University we constantly need to interrogate the extent to which the values that underpin our Vision and Mission finds expression in our learning and teaching practices. This Vision and Mission of Nelson Mandela University is undergirded by the Faculty’s Vision: to co-create critical thinking health science graduates with transformative action who change the world by being in service of society. For us to be effective in contributing to this Vision and Mission, we need to have moments where we pause and reflective on how our learning and teaching spaces makes provision for the development of socially conscious, impactful graduates.
Purpose
This workshop celebrated Mandela Day (July 18th) by engaging our health sciences academics in conversations about innovative teaching approaches used in their classrooms that stimulate critical interrogation of our roles in society. It is these critical spaces that promote social justice and health equity, echoing Nelson Mandela's lifelong commitment to equality. The purpose of this interactive workshop is to create a moment to pause and engage with each other across our Health Sciences disciplines to stimulate discussions around our L&T practices that strive towards achieving our vision and mission.
Format:
The interactive session was based on a reflective, thought-provoking presentation by M Mukhtar Raban, the Project Manager – Humanising Pedagogy (UCDG) for the office of the DVC: Learning & Teaching, Muktar is also a lecturer in the Department of Linguistics and Applied Linguistics in the Faculty of Humanities as well as the Department of Postgraduate Studies (BEd Honours Language) in the Faculty of Education.
Programme for the day
|
Bridging the Gap: Using Learning and Teaching for Social impact: Honouring our namesake, Nelson Rohihlahla Mandela
|
|
Faculty of Health Sciences: Learning and Teaching Directorate
|
|
18 July 2024, 13:00 - 16:00
Conference Hall B, Ocean Sciences Campus
|
|
13:00-13:20 |
Light refreshments |
|
13:20-13:25 |
Welcoming and opening remarks: Mrs Carmen Whittle |
|
13:25-13:30 |
The “Madiba Dance”: All |
|
13:30-14:30 |
Keynote speaker: Mr Mukhtar Raban |
|
14:30-14:40 |
Comfort break |
|
14:40 – 15:40 |
Interrogating our classroom practices as Mandela scholars/educators: All |
|
15:40-16:00 |
Closing remarks and evaluation: Prof Annaline Keet |
|
|
|
Discussions:
Muktar Raban’s presentation covered Nelson Mandela,
Social Justice, and the Humanising Pedagogy. The session’s objective was: Using contextual interaction theory - to reflect deeply on Nelson Mandela’s humanistic quest for social justice via South African education, and its implications for health sciences and medical education L&T. Focusing on an array of interesting aspects including:
-
Reflection on our L&T context (adapted from Bressers et al., 2016)
-
Social Justice Trivalent Lens (by using Fraser’s model, 1998)
-
Contextual Interaction Theory
-
Nelson Mandela & Social Justice
-
Critical Humanising Pedagogy
-
Social Justice Analysis
-
Social Justice and Critical Humanising Pedagogy Foci in Health Sciences
Participant Feedback
Thirteen participants attended. Of the thirteen participants, nine completed the Feedback form. The consolidated feedback:
General feedback and comments:
“Getting more clarity on humanizing pedagogy and realizing I am actually doing what a human pedagogy requires with room for improvement.”
“The presentation was mind opening. The interaction within colleagues was fruitful.”
“I got to learn and understand the concept of human pedagogy and social justice.”
“Both the keynote address and the table discussions were most useful. Also, the pondering on quotes.”
“The presentation by Mukhtar was very refreshing, inspiring and educational. The interactive nature of the workshops was appreciated as it inspired thinking.”
“Opened my mind and thinking, encouraged me to go back and make some changes. I need self and personal work to develop social critical consciousness and own positionality.”
“Students should be part of co-creating curriculum.”
“It encouraged me to apply my critical lens mode to question more and to not be afraid to use the classroom more as a space for critical conversations.”
“Developing our own critical consciousness and understanding disparity that lecturers themselves experience.”
“Discussions helped me to evaluate my teaching strategies and also how I should view or perceive my students.”
“How to involve students into assessment and curriculum design.”
“We were introduced to many concepts and ideas which I was not really familiar with. I will need to reflect on the content to see how I can modify my learning and teaching practices.”
“I am happy that I participated in this session because I got to learn about the Nelson Mandela attributes and also how I should strive to incorporate them in my learning and teaching strategies”
“Keep doing these workshops please. So important to engage and share.”
“ Excellent workshop.”
“ Great session, valuable.”
Suggestions:
“Maybe a conversation with all Health Science disciplines sharing teaching experiences.”