Presenter: Zuzeka Mkra Student Success Practitioner Student Retention Unit (SRU) live broadcast 24 April 2019 - Unisa

Presenter: Zuzeka Mkra
Student Success Practitioner
Student Retention Unit (SRU) live broadcast
24 April 2019

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   Providing   extended support for students entering ODeL for the first
    time for the duration of their first year at Unisa
   Integrating the broad range of support services to ensure   timely and relevant support
    for students during their first year of study
Supporting collaboration efforts between Unisa departments
    and directorates to ensure effective service delivery within the programme

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In partnering with you in your study
         environment, the SRU
integrates the broad range of support
services, to ensure you receive timely
         and relevant support

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Live Broadcasts
The Student Retention Unit (SRU) hosts
regular live broadcasts on various topics
related to your first year of study. These
topics are broadcasted with academic and
support staff from the different colleges,
departments and directorates as our guest
presenters.

Live broadcast topics include: time-
management skills, learning how to navigate
the myUnisa platform, library services offered
by the institution, preparation for examinations
and assignments, accessing e-tutors and more.

The live broadcast dates and topics are in line
with your academic calendar in your first-year
academic journey.

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First-Year Experience (FYE)
      Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)

The   FYE MOOC      aims to   assist first-time
      entering students to   successfully
            transition   into Unisa.

 It aims to orientate and prepare you for a
smooth transition into an Open, Distance, e-
    Learning (ODeL) environment (Unisa)

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FYE101 MOOC
   Unisa Readiness Tool
   Preparation for ODeL
   Digital Literacy for ODeL
   Numeracy for ODeL
   Career Management Skills
   Shadowmatch (Habits and Behaviours
    Assessment
   Using myUnisa
   Library Orientation
   Study Skills
   Academic Literacy
   Student Affairs Services for ODeL

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My First Year 101
 How to access FYE MOOC?
                mooc.unisa.ac.za

 Create your own log in details: click the tab on the left: “New
                           Account”
       Join your MOOC: First click on Membership
                  Click “Joinable sites”
                Find the “My first year 101”
                  Complete the MOOC
    Give us feedback by completing the student survey

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Live Broadcasts Schedule…
                 Lunch hour: 12h00-13h00

LB3   Preparing for Assignments and Student Funding   6 March 2019

LB4   Exploring myUnisa and E-tutors                  20 March 2019

LB5   Student Support (Academic progression and       17 April 2019
      Unisa curriculum)
LB6   Preparing for Examinations                      24 April 2019

LB7   After the Exams results: Planning for next      26 June 2019
      semester

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What are we currently doing ?
        Weekly emails

These emails have been designed with the first-year student
   in mind, aimed at providing pertinent information at key
               points through your student walk.
   Just-in-time information regarding relevant support
                         interventions.
               Address your specific needs.
Please check your myLife email accounts on a regular basis to stay
                  abreast of important information

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Visit: www.unisa.ac.za/FYE

Having better familiarised
yourself with some of the student
         support services,
 let’s now turn our focus to Exam
            preparation

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Guest presenter:
        Mr. Duwayne Kock
        College of Accounting Sciences

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EXAMINATION PREPARATION

Duwayne Kock

Dealing with Anxiety and Stress
EXAM PREPARATION

•   Know that you know what you know
•   Some anxiety is NORMAL
•   Symptoms of stress – Aggravators
•   Beware the frantic student
•   Eliminate negative self statements
•   Focus on the task at hand
•   How to alleviate residual exam anxiety
•   Manage personal stresses

Available Downloads
EXAM PREPARATION

• Exam preparation brochure
• Exam preparation podcast..
   – Counselling and Career Development website

Venue and Timetable
EXAM PREPARATION

• Exam Venue
   – Confirmed at time of registration
   – Checked on myUnisa
   – Same exam period = Same exam centre

• Exam Timetable
   – Received upon registration (preliminary)
   – Checked on myUnisa
   – Official timetable: 1 month prior
      • Posted & myUnisa

Examination Related Rules
EXAM PREPARATION

• What if I missed my exam?
   – Policy: Assessment procedures manual
   – Within 10 days of the date on which the first examination was to have
      been written.
   – No late applications will be considered.
   – Once approved the examination will be deferred to the next official
      examination session for the module(s) concerned.
   – Documentary proof of reasons for absenteeism for all of the above
      instances must accompany the application.
   https://staff.unisa.ac.za/static/intranet/Content/Policies/Teaching,%20Lear
   ning%20Community%20Engagement%20and%20Student%20Support/D
   ocuments/Assessment%20Procedures%20Manual%20-%20Appr%20-
   %20Senate%20-%2012.06.2013.pdf

Examination Related Rules
EXAM PREPARATION

• What to bring to my exam?
   –   The right attitude
   –   Two pens (in case one runs out)
   –   A reliable watch
   –   A calculator (when necessary)
   –   Student Card…..etc

• What not to bring to my exam?
   – Study notes & text books

General Top 10 Exam Strategies
EXAM PREPARATION

• Bring the necessary materials
• Arrive on time
     – Early: Refrain from test discussions beforehand
     – Late: Makes you feel rushed and stressed
•   Preview the test in its entirety before you start
•   Read all directions slowly and carefully
•   Underline key terms and steps
•   Answer the easiest questions first
•   Expect memory blocks – mark difficult questions then skip
•   Neat and legible handwriting
•   Work at your own pace – Ample time
•   Review questions and answers once you have finished.

References
EXAM PREPARATION

• Dean of Sciences’ office. (1998) The Right Way to Study pamphlet.
  University of Durban-Westville.
• Harvy, Lynne (2006). Study Successfulness. Poway Unified School
  District.
• Palmer. R & Chalmers. G. (unknown). “Flying Start: The key to Successful
  Study”. Python Publications.
• Slabbert. S (1991). Course notes – Study Skills & Trigger Charting.
  Psychological Department, Transnet.
• Slabbert. S (2013). “Study Skills – The Mechanics of Correct Learning”.
  Christian Family Church Bible School.
• Solomon. B.A & Felder. R.M (unknown). Index of Learning Styles
  Questionnaire. North Carolina State University.
• UNISA

Thank you

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Guest presenter:
        Mr. Pintias Nkuna
        ARCSWiD

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“NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US”

          ADVOCACY & RESOURCE CENTRE
          FORSTUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES (ARCSWiD)
          PINTIAS NKUNA
          24 APRIL 2019

1. PREAMBLE
ARCSWiD affirms the commitment to:
• position Unisa as an institution of first choice for students with
  disabilities;
• support these students through an empathetic understanding of
  their needs;
• provide appropriate facilities;
• remove existing barriers to access.

Implications:
• UNISA may not discriminate against any student with a disability;
• UNISA will ensure an enabling environment to prevent barriers,
  delays, inconvenience and unfair practices;
• Facilities for students with disabilities will not be inferior to those for
  non-disabled students.

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2. DEFINITION OF DISABILITY

Persons with disabilities include those who
have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or
sensory impairments which in interaction with
various barriers may hinder their full and
effective participation in society on an equal
basis with others.

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3. OBJECTIVES
• To create an enabling environment that would promote the full
  participation and equalization of opportunities for students with
  disabilities.
• To allow all students who have a diverse range of learning needs
  to proceed with learning, teaching and assessment through a
  common curriculum framework.
• To develop mechanisms and capacities that would facilitate the
  integration of students with disabilities.
• To identify and minimize/eliminate barriers to learning and
  development.
• To maximize the participation of students with disabilities in the
  teaching and learning process.
• To optimize the use of ICT in order to enhance the active
  participation of students with disabilities in the teaching and
  learning process.
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4. PRINCIPLES
4.1 Inclusive approach
   UNISA strive to implement an inclusive approach to provide support
   and service to students with disabilities.

4.2 Barrier-free access
   A phased-in approach will be adopted to ensure that the physical
   environment of the University is developed to promote the
   independence and access of students with disabilities.

4.3 Acknowledgement of diversity
   The acknowledgement that students with disabilities have different,
   but equally valued learning needs.

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5. ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

5.1 Curriculum
There should be flexibility within the curriculum to:
• respond to the diverse needs of students with
  disabilities;
• allow a student to progress at his/her own pace
  and style; and
• permit the use of multidimensional assessment
  methods.

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… ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS WITH
                              DISABILITIES
Based on their specific needs, the learning support for students with disabilities
  to include:
• Sign language;
• braille;
• electronic speech output devices;
• enlarged text;
• academic support strategies;
• appropriate assistive technology and
• a community-based support system.

5.2 Inculcate greater sensitivity
• Collaborating with community-based organizations
• encouraging students not to conceal their disability;
• appreciating individual differences among students with disabilities;
• guarding against exclusion; and
• increasing a student’s optimum development and independence.

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… ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS WITH
                DISABILITIES
5.3 Promote the use of ICT
• Facilitating the provision of access technology in regional centres for the
   use of students with disabilities.
• Arranging training for employees in the regions on the use of access
   technology so that they would be able to provide support to students with
   disabilities;
• providing information to students with disabilities on developments in
   respect of access technology.

5.4 Promote financial assistance: scholarships and bursaries
• Establishing a support-driven funding strategy to assist, in particular, poor
   and rural students with disabilities.
• Providing financial assistance to eligible students with disabilities to
   respond to their diverse learning needs.

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…ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS WITH
            DISABILITIES
5.5 Advocacy and awareness-raising
Implement advocacy and awareness-raising
  programmes to promote greater responsiveness to
  the teaching and learning needs of students with
  disabilities.

5.6 Structures and mechanisms
• An Advisory Committee/Forum on students with
  disabilities.
• Implementation of the policy.

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Do you require any information on the
               mentioned
      student support initiatives
   (or any of the others available)?
Please send us an email on fye@unisa.ac.za

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Please complete the
                   ‘Survey’
and give us your thoughts about this broadcast

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Thank you