FYE MOOC Contehhgggghhuy5rdfuuvvjtnt.pdf
- 1. 1 Greetings, and welcome to the First-Year Experience (FYE) Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), also referred to as FYE MOOC. This MOOC serves as an orientation for your academic journey at Unisa – Africa’s largest Open Distance eLearning (ODeL) institution.
- 2. 2 This MOOC is structured into “units” and “sessions”, with each session focusing on a dedicated theme. Structure This MOOC should take you thirty (30) minutes to complete. Duration Each session includes activities to assess the knowledge gained. Look out for this icon! Tasks (Submission Required) on Page 16 You must complete all the activities to successfully complete the MOOC. FYE MOOC Orientation We look forward to your participation in the MOOC and hope you enjoy this journey with us. These activities are for your own benefit. Self Reflection Activities
- 3. 3 v Units making up the FYE MOOC Units You @UNISA: A sense of support & belonging Adjusting to and succeeding at Unisa 02 03 Beyond your first year at Unisa 04 Wrap-up and Final Tasks 01
- 4. 4 Unit 1: YOU @UNISA: A SENSE OF SUPPORT & BELONGING Before you proceed, let’s take a moment to understand what an Open Distance E-Learning (ODeL) institution is and what this means for you as a first-time student. Unisa is one of the world's mega universities and it is the largest open distance and e-learning (ODeL) institution in Africa (Unisa, 2018). The main campus and the Sunnyside campus are both in Pretoria, and the Science campus is in Florida in Johannesburg. Unisa Regional Centres Unisa campuses There are also regional centres that you can visit. See the: Directions to Unisa Regional Centres
- 5. 5 1.1. Residential vs Open distance eLearning (ODeL) See the table below to understand how Unisa, as an ODeL institution, is different from a residential (traditional) university Residential At a residential institution, you physically attend classes at a particular location. You get to see and interact with the lecturer, and, often, other classmates as well. This is the more traditional route to education and learning. VS ODeL This option means that you aren’t physically present in classes. You study on your own and at your own pace. Naturally, this option requires more self-discipline. Verbal and nonverbal . Communication Real time access to textbooks and lecture notes . Learning Materials Real time and specific time frames for discussions . Process of Learning Immediate through visual and verbal models, but time constrained Feedback and Interaction Virtual, through videos and chat forums, downloads, and uploads Communication Textbooks, e-books and Lecture notes are available 24/7. Learning Materials Virtual, any time. Process of Learning Any time, but subject to lecturers’ availability; usually a 24hr turnaround time Feedback and Interaction
- 6. 6 1.2. Digital abilities: Skills you need to succeed Learning at an Open Distance eLearning institution is largely enabled through technology. Therefore, to ensure a swift transition to learning and support, you will need access to a computer and the internet and you will also need connectivity. Together, these will enable you to access online resources and assessments, as well as to submit examinations and other academic tasks conveniently. Learning at an Open Distance eLearning institution Digital literacy An important skill to acquire and continuously develop is digital literacy, as doing so will allow you to navigate the ODeL environment. Reflection Activity Please reflect on your current digital literacy skills and think of ways to develop those skills that you will need to succeed by clicking here. Tips on becoming a successful Unisa student. Watch tips on how to become a successful Unisa student. Please click on the link in your menu called Unit 1.2 Video Digital Access Centres Facilities that provide internet access to registered students who live in remote rural locations. Click here for more information.
- 7. 7 1.3. Learning Your Portal Environment myLife The University provides all registered students with a free myLife e-mail address. Your myLife e-mail account will be the only e-mail account recognised by Unisa for official correspondence to and from the University and will remain your official primary e-mail address on record at Unisa. myModules myModules provides you with access to all your current module sites, as well as to project sites if you are linked to any. Here, you can access your profile, marks/grades, preferences and submit your assessments. MyUnisa myUnisa is the University’s online student portal. Here, you’ll be able to download everything, including your tutorial letters. Registering on myUnisa is one of the first things you’ll need to do once you have your student number. MyUnisa myAdmin MyAdmin is the new administrative section of myUnisa. You can use myAdmin to access and update your personal information, as well as view your academic information, such as academic records and examination timetables.
- 8. 8 1.4. Accessing support services during your first year at Unisa First Year Experience (FYE) Support Site The First Year Experience (FYE) Support Site was created to afford you easy access to all the University’s resources. It is quick and easy to self-enroll once you have successfully registered. For now, you can visit our website FYE Experience at Unisa or contact the FYE team at [email protected]. FYE Telegram The FYE Team has a dedicated Telegram group that you can join to ensure that you have all Unisa updates and communication at your fingertips.You will be sent a link to join this group once registered. Tuition support Tuition support provides an enabling environment for students to gain access to support services that will make it possible for them to succeeed in their studies. Click here to find out more about the user interface and how myUnisa is structured, as well as how to tell the difference between a module site and an e-tutor group site. Counselling and Career Development Counselling and Career Development supports students before, during and after their Unisa studies. The following services are offered: • Career guidance • Academic guidance, and • Personal guidance Click here for more information .
- 9. 9 Unit 2: Adjusting to and succeeding at Unisa Being a responsible online student: plagiarism and referencing 101 is presenting someone else's work or ideas as your own, with or without their consent, by incorporating it into your work without full acknowledgement. Plagiarism is used to tell the reader where ideas from other sources have been used in an assignment. There are many reasons why it is important to reference sources correctly. It shows the reader that you can find and use sources to create a solid argument and it properly credits the originators of ideas, theories, and research findings. Referencing Being responsible Unisa believes that academic success requires motivation, constant engagement, and hard work. We, therefore, implore you to submit your assessments on time and participate in the learning activities designed to assist your learning journey.
- 10. 10 You may not register for more than the allowed maximum number of credits/modules per semester: • 60 NQF credits (5 modules of 12 credits each) in a semester; and • 120 NQF credits (10 modules of 12 credits each) per year for year modules. Number of credits Credits are the number of notional study hours required to achieve the learning outcomes. Notional hours include study time, assignments, and examinations. The credit rating system rates 10 notional hours as equivalent to one credit. Credits 2.1 Understanding credits Understanding credits
- 11. 11 If a module has recommended prerequisites, then this is the background knowledge you need to undertake the succeeding unit. This means that there is a module or course that must be completed prior to registering for the course concerned. Prerequisite Co-requisites ensure that you build your knowledge and progress through your studies appropriately. A co-requisite is a module that must be taken at the same time as another course. Co -requisite Each Unisa qualification is structured in such a way that you need to pass a certain number of NQF-level credits within a certain amount of time to graduate. Qualifications require a certain number of credits, broken down into smaller units. At Unisa, undergraduate modules are usually made up of 12 credits NQFs 2.2. Understanding : NQFS/Co & Prerequisites NQFS/ Co & Prerequisites
- 12. 12 2.3. Choosing your modules Available time You must take your available time into consideration when choosing your modules, as this will impact your academic performance. Time needed You need approximately: • 6 to 8 hours per week for semester modules. • 4 to 6 hours per week for year modules. . NSFAS & Bursary students For funded students (on NSAFS and other bursaries) please see all funding-related information here. Reflection Activity Reflect on the information provided and plan how much time per week you will need for your studies.
- 13. 13 UNIT 3: Ensuring a successful first year: Progression rules 3.1. Beyond your first year at Unisa: Choosing modules for your next registration Reflection Activity Before you choose modules for your next registration, make sure that you understand the curriculum for your qualification. Create a document for yourself to capture your planning to complete your qualification. Check that you understand the rules for your qualification Reflect on how you managed in the previous semester – make adjustments either in terms of the number of modules, or how you approach your studies Your time: You will need between 6 and 8 hours per week for semester modules and between 4 and 6 hours per week for year modules. Minimum number of modules: The minimum number of credits to be passed annually is 36 in your first year of study and then 48 credits in your second or further years of study. Maximum number of modules: You may not register for more than 60 NQF credits in a semester, that is, not more than 5 modules per semester of 12 credits each. This does not include supplementary and/or aegrotat examinations which you may have been granted in a previous academic year. How many modules should you register for? Essential steps 1. Mark modules you’ve already passed. 2. Select the module(s) you plan to register for during the next semester. 3. Check that you meet the prerequisites and co-requisites for your chosen modules, and 4. Ensure the selected modules fall within the curriculum.
- 14. 14 3.2. Progression rules Unisa prescribes a set of minimum standards with which students must comply to ensure their continued registration with the University. These are set out in the Admission Policy. • The Senate may decide to exclude students based on poor academic performance. • Academically excluded students may appeal to the Executive Dean of the relevant college. Academic exclusion The maximum periods (including deferment) in which a qualification must be completed are as follows: • 20 credits: 4 years • 240 credits: 6 years • 360 credits: 8 years • 80 credits: 10 years Maximum period • Students who do not complete a qualification within the prescribed maximum period will be excluded from further registration. • Students who are currently excluded or suspended from another institution on the grounds of misconduct will not be considered for admission. Prescribed maximum period • Each year in which the student was registered at Unisa is included in the calculation of the period of registration, and not just the years in which the student was registered for a particular qualification. • In the case of a student who has completed a formal degree or diploma and is registered for a second or further qualification, only the years of registration after the completion of the degree or diploma will be considered in calculating the study period in respect of the second or further qualification. How is the maximum period calculated?
- 15. 15 Unit 4: Wrap up Well done! You have come to the end of the MOOC! We hope you have gained a lot of useful information about studying through Unisa Well done! You have come to the end of the MOOC! We hope you have gained a lot of useful information about studying through Unisa To recap ✓ Technology in an ODeL ✓ Support services at Unisa ✓ Choosing your modules ✓ Progression rules Final Tasks Below
- 16. 16 Tasks SUBMISSION TIME – TASK 1 Click on the link in the menu as illustrated and complete the survey DOWNLOAD TIME – TASK 2 Now that you have completed each Unit, please download a quick guide that may provide insight into the next steps in your academic journey. The guides, in multiple languages, are located under the Resources folder -> Guides folder. SUBMISSION TIME – TASK 3 To access your compulsory Self-Assessment, click on Tests & Quizzes and then on Self-assessment. Once you have completed this self-assessment activity you will receive a confirmation email. Upon completion of the self-assessment, please note that you are required to wait for ten minutes (10) to be able to access the offer acceptance portal. You will then click on the link below to accept the offer once the 10 minutes has passed or alternatively go to step 5 of the application process "Application outcomes" to accept the offer. Click here to access the application tool