Abstract: The primary goal of the Masamu (note that “masamu” means mathematics in Southern Africa) Program is to enhance research in the mathematical sciences and related areas within the Southern Africa Mathematical Sciences Association (SAMSA) institutions and beyond through promotion of international research collaboration. The Masamu Program was established in 2010 with the assistance of the National Science Foundation through an Au-burn University-SAMSA Memorandum of Understanding (...
Abstract: The final-year project (FYP), also known as a capstone course, is usually the principal course, where many learning experiences are realised and gained in an undergraduate engineering programme. Therefore, several exit learning outcomes required by professional accrediting bodies are assessed in the FYP. Programme and instructional designers know the skills and graduate attributes that students should possess, and several studies have been published from the lecturer's perspective....
Abstract: This article provides a holistic view of e-Learning as a by-product of Adaptive Hypermedia Learning Systems (i.e. AHLS). It aims at proposing a generic framework for evaluating and assessing AHLS. While many of the existing assessment and evaluation instruments yield useful findings (1), most of them seem to be revolving around one key problem – with so many variables that can potentially be considered of impact to the quality of these instruments, how do we re-adapt the assessme...
Abstract: Literature shows that the role of academic middle managers (AMMs) has been a subject of contestation for a long time the world over owing to the fact that there has not been a clear cut articulation of what exactly this role constitutes or means. Such a situation according to literature has tended to affect the way the AMMs enact their role in their different departments and organisations. Traditionally, the role of the academic middle manager has been viewed as transmitters of top...
Abstract: This study is an investigation of strategies that can be deployed by academic middle managers (AMMs) to support successful planning, implementation and management of curriculum change in higher education. It has been consistently shown in literature that well above half of curriculum improvements which fail to be successfully implemented are due to failure by the improvement sponsors to effectively plan particularly with regards to the identification and deployment of effective cur...
Abstract: Innovation is widely regarded as an imperative for the survival of higher educational institutions in the new millennium. This study investigated management actions and strategies which underpin sustainability of an educational phenomenon known worldwide as the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) in a depressed socio-economic environment. The data to address the investigation was collected by means of a case study methodology. More precisely, a questionnaire and semi-structured interv...
Abstract: Purpose – This study aims to investigate emerging perspectives and challenges which teaching staff and students in the Faculties of Business and Accounting, Health and Education as well as Computing encountered in using Virtual Collaborative Learning during their classes in one accredited institution of higher education in Maseru district Lesotho. Previously conducted studies reveal that although similar studies to the current one have been conducted in different countries across...
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to predict the intention to continue online learning post the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic among students in the two largest universities of higher learning in Botswana. Furthermore, the purposes of this study are to elucidate the nexus between performance expectancy and continuance intention to establish the effects of efforts expectancy on continuance intention to investigate the relationship between social influence and continuance...
Abstract: The study sought to establish undergraduate students’ perceptions on academic advising as an intervention strategy for promoting student academic performance while at the same time developing professionals’ mentorship capacity at Botho University. Mixed methods research adopting both qualitative and quantitative techniques was used to examine students’ academic advising processes. Data gathering was triangulated employing questionnaires, focus group interviews and document an...
Abstract: The Botswana education system bases its philosophy on education for all using English and Setswana as the official languages for learning and teaching in schools despite the diversity of the society. Botswana has 8 Setswana ethnic groups with Setswana as their mother tongue and 26 minority languages. Some of them speak Sengologa/ Sekgalagadi; a language of their so-called masters. The Basarwa children find it difficult to converse in Setswana but are usually taught by teachers from...
Abstract: The aim of this survey was to evaluate the suitability and acceptability of virtual laboratories as alternatives or supplements to the traditional physical laboratories in the teaching of graduates in laboratory-driven science disciplines in Botswana. Participants were drawn from three universities in Gaborone, Botswana. The majority of respondents (66.7%), were faculty staff members and the rest (33.3%), were postgraduate students or recent graduates (0-5 years) at Masters or PhD ...
Abstract: Literature shows that high incidences of classroom disciplinary problems have a significant impact on the effectiveness of teaching and learning.Use of classroom management strategies to manage the behaviour of students is therefore critical in mitigating behavioural problems and in achieving positive educational outcomes in the classrooms. The importance of classroom management in creating a positive classroom climate within which effective teaching and learning can occur is v...
Abstract: This paper examined the role of academic middle managers (AMMs) in the planning and implementation of curriculum change in private higher education institutions (PHEIs) in Botswana. Drawing from various sources of literature and theoretical underpinnings, the study described how AMMs enact their role in curriculum change. A quantitative approach that used a structured questionnaire for data collection was used in the study. Results of the study showed that AMMs face numerous challe...
Abstract: Learning is a fundamental aspect of life, any living organism that fails to learn and adapt to the rules of survival in the current environment risks facing the challenge of extinction as the laws of nature demands survival of the fittest. It is our duty and mandate to provide a conducive learning environment for the young learners to acquire the much treasured knowledge to be good visionary leaders of tomorrow. In this quest Information and Communication Technologies can provide a...
In the vast ocean of online information, Wikipedia stands out as a go-to source for millions seeking knowledge on a plethora of topics. With its open editing platform, anyone can contribute to this virtual encyclopedia, making it a dynamic and ever-evolving resource. However, amidst the constant flux of edits and updates, there exists a process known as "Wikipedia page deletion" that can raise questions and concerns for contributors and readers alike. So, what exactly does "Wikipedia page de...