No longer simply a department that coaches wannabe teachers in the school syllabus, the University of the Western Cape’s (UWC) education department looks beyond simple classroom techniques. Areas such as education policy and management are covered in courses designed to broaden the educator’s knowledge in all spheres of life.
Towards this end, the UWC education department has incorporated an education policy unit for research; the Centre for Adult and Continuing Education (Cace), which offers courses for adult learning; as well as a teacher’s in-service project – an NGO service that provides flexible qualifications for educators.
Cace in particular caters for those educators who understand that the key to effective teaching is the ongoing ability to learn. Cace has introduced modularised adult learning programmes and English for educational development courses that may be completed on a full- or part-time basis. Some of the courses may be accredited at master’s level, or for non-degree purposes as stand-alone modulse.
Included in Cace’s study curriculum are courses offering professional educational development qualifications at postgraduate levels, ranging from a higher certificate through to masters. The unit has tailored training modules to the requirements of organisations and individual educators.
They offer shorter modules that meet the requirements of the National Qualifications Framework and are accessible to working people through the option of credit
accumulation.
Some of these courses include the national diploma in education, training and development. Eligibility for this programme requires a certificate in adult education or an equivalent qualification. However, applicants may also obtain access through prior learning experience. The modules include research methodologies, learning to assess and evaluate course material and methods for teaching literacy.
For those educators interested in a broader understanding of the role of education in social transformation, Cace offers an advanced certificate in education. Modules include theories of adult learning as well as organisational and management development practices.
This course is geared towards professionals working in education, training and development, as well as practitioners in industry, the public sector and NGOs.
And for those who believe effective education begins on the ground, Cace has introduced a further diploma in education with special emphasis on physical and health education. The course runs part-time over two years, and only qualified in-service teachers with relevant experience are admissible. Specialist training in either health or physical education is not required.
For educators who cannot spare the time or cash to attend these courses, the division of lifelong learning -an autonomous department at UWC – has published a series of training manuals.