Search

Postdigital education has become a major subject receiving attention and consideration from various perspectives. For instance, there are crucial issues revolving around the meaning of "postdigital" in the context of education with regard to its implications for educational research and practice and its impact on the learning spaces of higher education, among other issues. However, the focus has been on education in general without any specific focus on rural higher education. Thus, the need to consider rural higher education in the era of postdigital education is pivotal, especially considering its peculiar nature. Hence, this study explores the transformation of rural higher education to fit into the postdigital era through the use of a review method. Relevant literature was reviewed from which themes were generated in the presentation of findings. The findings of the study show, among others, that there are misconceptions regarding the postdigital era and postdigital education--technologies taking over the entire teaching and learning spaces. However, the study also showed that, for rural higher education in the postdigital era, hybridity is pivotal. The study recommends, among other things, that policies promoting hybridity and discouraging the notion of technologies taking over the entire teaching and learning spaces should be made and implemented.

The objective of this qualitative study was to assess the information literacy and metacognitive abilities of teachers in a rural school in South Africa. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Due to COVID-19 safety considerations, primary data was acquired from 10 teachers via semi-structured telephonic interviews. All participants' views were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis to determine the similarities and differences in terms of their responses. The findings of the study amongst others revealed that despite the giant strides made by the South African government to digitize teaching and learning activities in schools, large proportion of rural teachers have phobia to use computer applications unassisted. Also, low self-evaluation, goal-setting and help-seeking/self-reflection were found to be metacognitive abilities which hamper their effective teaching skills via usability of ICT. The study concludes by recommending programmes such as cognitive development, emotional intelligence, computer-digital programming for all teachers in rural schools for optimal performance.

Implementation of the practices of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is currently a trendy topic worldwide since various interruptions are expected. Education is considered as a major tool to equip people with the necessary kills to be prepared for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Botswana's education system was ranked among the top ten on the African continent. Hence, this study explored the 4IR and education in Botswana, using a scoping review. The literature was analysed and presented, using themes. The findings showed that factors such as curriculum issues, lack of electricity in rural areas, amongst others are stumbling blocks in Botswana's way as it continues to prepare itself for the 4IR through education. Also, there is limited scholarly work on education and the 4IR, specifically from the perspective of Botswana. Hence, research into current practices in the education sector and institutions of learning in Botswana was recommended.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic made many institutions of learning at various levels across the globe to shift from onsite to online teaching and learning activities. This was regardless of the level of preparation made available for the transition process. Meanwhile, students from rural institutions of learning are considered to have peculiar challenges with such shift. Thus, this study investigated the constraints of students from a selected South African Rural Higher Education Institution (SARHEI). Quantitative method was employed in this study. Data was collected from 274 randomly selected undergraduates from a rural based South African university. Questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected data was analysed using Microsoft Excel 2016. The findings of the study showed that students tend to experience certain forms of constraints due to the available support systems from the institution of higher learning, as well infrastructure and skills for studying at home. Meanwhile, further findings showed that their level of computer skills did not constitute constraints for the students. The study recommends that appropriate support systems should be made available by rural institutions of higher learning, and students are furnished with necessary infrastructure and skills for learning from home.

This study investigated the management of teaching and assessment of the "qualified to be progressed" learners (QP) for quality learning and teaching. Mixed methods approach was adopted. Random and purposive sampling were used to select teachers and School Management Team (SMT) member respectively who formed the study sample. The study was conducted in 10 purposively selected secondary schools in the Vhumbedzi Circuit, Limpopo, South Africa. Data was collected from the 165 selected teachers through the use of questionnaires while interviews were conducted for 10 SMTs. The quantitative data was analysed using percentage, while the qualitative data was coded and thematically analysed. The finding of the study showed that there are no clearly developed strategies to help manage the teaching and assessment of the QP learners. The study recommends that the DBE, through its curriculum section, should assist the SMTs in the development of strategies to help manage the teaching and assessment of the QP learners for quality teaching and learning.

Career choice involves the selection of one occupation over another. It is very important as it gives people focus on what career to follow. However, a lack of adequate information on career choice is capable of negatively influencing career choices. Hence, this study examines the significance of the adequate information on career choice among first year students using a selected rural South African university. A quantitative research method was employed for data collection. Purposive and random sampling was used to select the institution and sample respectively. Questionnaires were administered to 375 randomly selected first year students studying in the selected rural South African university. The findings of the study show that career choice is important and can contribute to the success of students. Attempts are made to communicate about career pathways with students while in high schools through the provision in the curriculum. Various factors ranging from parental influence, teachers, presence or absence of career counsellors, amongst others affect the career choice of students. The study recommends that education stakeholders, inclusive of parents, should be informed on the need to guide students in making informed career choices. Career information centres should be made available to students in various locations in the country.

Lack of development in different societies of the world has been attributed to university education in recent times. Degrees are envisaged to be synonymous to skill acquisitions which are expected to be reflected in the society. Meanwhile, it remains controversial whether university education is actually responsible for development of skills and societies or not. Thus the reason for this study which adopts a review method. Relevant literatures were reviewed with regards to the subject matter. The findings show that university education can aid skills acquisition, promotion, amongst others. However, the findings also show that acquirement of degrees is not necessarily synonymous to skills acquisition and may not be a determinant to development in the society in some instances. Meanwhile, the relevance of degrees in skills acquisition is largely dependent on the type of designed education provided. The study recommends that focus and due attention should be given to education that enhances skills acquisition and promotes glocalization where students are trained to acquire and put to use skills that are needed in their society while using global standard.

Education is a major tool for development and equalizer. This somewhat accounts for the quest for education, at various levels, including adults who were unable to attain an education degree earlier in life. Thus, Adult Education and Training (AET) programmes are established in different community centres to promote adult literacy in different parts of the world inclusive of South Africa. However, many AET community centres tend not to be achieving the aim for their establishment due to various challenges. Hence, this study examined the challenges that are facing adult community learning centres using KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa following that it has one of the highest rates of illiteracy that causes unemployment and poverty. Social Cognitive Theory was employed for theoretical framework. Qualitative method was adopted for the study; hence, face-to-face interviews were conducted for nine purposively selected centre managers from both rural and urban KwaZulu-Natal. The collected data was coded and thematically analysed. The findings show that adult learners, facilitators and government factors inhibit the community learning centres progress. Meanwhile, centre managers strive to support adult community learning by involving different stakeholders in adult education and prioritize same. The study recommends amongst others the adoption of systemic approach where visions of AET are clearly stated to all stakeholders such as learners, facilitators, and the government.

This study investigated the first-year experiences (FYE) of students in a South African university. Survey research design was used in the study. The quantitative method was used for data collection and 1479 first-year students were randomly selected. The findings reveal that first-year students in the selected South African rural-based university experience certain specific challenges amongst which are poor orientation to the new context, poor knowledge of the Higher Education system, and poor educational background of parents. The study recommends that a special office under the direct line management of the dean of students be established to observe and closely monitor the progress of first-year students. This office would accommodate orientation of first years, and liaise and collaborate with appropriate offices within the institution to ensure that first-year students are properly guided and assisted in integrating without stress into the university system.

Curriculum is pivotal in any learning environment and experience. While much focus is placed on the designed curriculum, for learners, some learnings are hinged on hidden curriculum. Following the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the transition from onsite to online learning, hidden curriculum seems to have been hampered. Hence, issues revolving around hidden curriculum during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic are explored. Review method was adopted for the study. The findings of the study suggest that hidden curriculum is likely to be ineffective as learners are not exposed to their educators in face-to-face learning context where they are able to easily pick and imbibe certain character traits as envisaged in the traditional teaching and learning exercise. The study therefore recommends amongst others the need for minimal time to be scheduled for face-to-face contact sections. Also, educators should be admonished, trained and guided to be intentional about the issue of learners imbibing certain character traits from them during the minimal time scheduled for the face-to-face contact sections.

University education is envisaged to contribute to and enhance sustainable development in society. Hence there is a desire for quality and effectiveness in the tertiary education system for which huge amounts of money are budgeted annually. However, the quality and effectiveness of rural university education with regard to aiding sustainable development in host communities tends to be questionable. This study explored the relevance of rural university education toward enhancing sustainable development in Africa, using the context of South Africa. A review method was adopted for this study. Relevant literature was reviewed and analysed using themes. The findings of the study show that while rural universities are capable of promoting sustainable development, those in South Africa and by extension developing and underdeveloped nations are hindered by various challenges such as lack of career guidance, globalisation of the curriculum, and poor academic literacy, among others. The challenges render students incompetent in their chosen professions, consequently affecting their ability to give back to society. The study recommends that rural universities should be designed and positioned for glocalisation first. Also, adequate support for rural universities must be made available to enable them to contribute toward sustainable development.

Distance education celebrates its humanitarian mission of providing opportunities for disadvantaged and marginalized individuals who do not have access to traditional campus-based higher education. Large enrolments of students necessitate an industrialized approach in planning, design, and delivery informed by a normative assumption of ableism. In the context of post-apartheid South Africa, distance education fulfills a particular important role in ensuring access to education for all. This scoping review addressed two questions: "What is currently known, in the context of distance education in South Africa, about the educational experiences of SWDs?" and "How should we understand and respond to these experiences?" The scoping study shows, inter alia, that while there is an institutional commitment to providing equitable learning experiences, the lived experiences of students with disabilities provide evidence of their invisibility in the design, planning, and delivery of learning. The study concludes with some recommendations and provocations.

This study explored the effects of relationships between lecturers and students on the learning abilities of students in selected rural universities. Quantitative and qualitative research methods were adopted for data collection. Questionnaires were administered to 934 randomly selected students and interviews were conducted for 8 purposively selected lecturers in two rural based universities in South Africa and Nigeria. The findings of the study show that student-lecturer relationship influence the learning abilities of students and consequently affect their academic performance in different ways. The self-confidence of students is dependent on the relationship, however, lecturers are sceptical about relating with students due to the tendencies of being misunderstood by students who may be disrespectful to them. Amongst others, the study recommends that periodic workshops, seminars and trainings which are aimed at promoting cordial student-lecturer relationship, influencing, motivating and ensuring that lecturers relate adequately and appropriately with their students should be organised.

The purpose of this study is to explore the perception of subject advisers on curriculum change and delivery in secondary schools. The survey design which adopts quantitative research approach was used. Random sampling procedure is used to select b samples of 300 respondents in the study who are subject advisers. Questionnaires were administered to all selected 300 subject advisers, however, only 217 were duly completed and analysed for the study. The findings indicate among others that curriculum delivery is dependent on teachers' familiarization with the curriculum, planning of lessons and teaching through the use of the curriculum. The study recommends that teachers should be motivated to familiarize themselves with the curriculum, trained periodically on how to use the curriculum when planning their lessons and teaching. Also, continuous curriculum change should be checkmated.

The study investigates adaptation to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) among the rural youth in Qunu, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The broad focus on 4IR in job creation is its impact on youth skills development, and an important question is how rural youth benefit from 4IR opportunities. With few studies conducted on the topic of youth skills development in the context of 4IR, an investigation of the problems faced by the rural youth in Qunu in accessing emerging technologies was deemed to be of value. Mixed-method research was employed with a sample of 44 young people living in Qunu. Data was analysed using themes. The findings of this study indicate that the respondents had inadequate knowledge about 4IR and the opportunities it offers. Also, little is being done to improve the skills of the youth, though they show interest in improving their IT skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interplay of digital technologies and inequalities are increasingly discussed in contemporary research, mostly focusing on different forms of digital divides and often addressed as a 'problem' that societies should face. Hence, digital education and its governance becomes a major arena for addressing inequalities. In this paper, we offer a cross-country and multi-voiced perspective on how socio-digital inequalities are problematized in digital education policy in three world regions – Latin America, Africa and Europe – studying cases through policy documents in Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, Botswana, Germany and Sweden. Our analysis shows how differences and similarities between digital education policy are rooted in various sociotechnical imaginaries that go beyond the national as they are highly situated in spatial–temporal contexts and rooted in historical trajectories. Our contribution aims at a further exploration of the entanglements of educational technology and in/equalities through global conditions and local (hi)stories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent trend in society and education, especially following the emergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and the outbreak of the global Covid- 19 pandemic has led many institutions of learning to shift from onsite to online, although unprepared. Meanwhile, policy is a crucial factor which needs to be considered and direct such transition from onsite to online. However, this seems not to be the case especially during the time of the Covid-19 pandemic. On the other hand, Botswana is considered one of the most successful African nations in terms of ICT in schools. Hence, this study attempts to explore ICT policies as they concern schools in developing African nations, with emphasis on Botswana. A review method was adopted for the study, thus, relevant literature was reviewed. Meanwhile, the study was underpinned by the Siemens' connectivism theory. The findings of the study from reviewed literature showed that several factors have been put in place to enhance ICTs and ensure the implementation of ICT policies in Botswana, however, digital divide between urban and rural Botswana constitutes inequality. The study recommends that policies with regards to ICT should be reviewed in order to ensure that they are used in bridging rural-urban digital divide. Thus, benchmarking should be considered to ensure best practices across the globe. In addition, inclusivity in education in the case of ensuring and promoting ICT development in rural areas of African nations should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leadership is an important contributory factor in ensuring the academic success of learners in schools. However, challenges experienced by school leaders hamper effective leadership. This study explores the prevalent challenges experienced in African school leadership as presented in current literature. A scoping review method was adopted. First, key terms were identified, and two databases were selected for the search: Scopus and Web of Science (WoS). Literature was retrieved, reviewed, and analyzed using generated themes. Through the thematic analysis, some prevailing leadership problems were identified and presented. Among the themes are challenges of school leadership, the problem of mentorship in school leadership, and the need for support for successful school leadership. The study showed that mentorship and training of principals is a critical subject that needs to be considered. Following the findings of the study, recommendations are made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Failure and drop-out rate in rural high schools (RHSs) in South Africa remains a prevailing crisis. This has been attributed to issues such as poor/limited infrastructures, poverty, unemployment, among others. Thus, this case study explores the issue of a purposively selected South African Rural High School (RHS) with 15 years' success rate at terminal examination known as Matric. Qualitative method was adopted, hence, interviews were conducted with eight purposively selected staff members of the school: one principal, one deputy principal, three departmental heads, two teachers and one senior admin clerk. The collected data was coded, categorised, thereafter thematically analysed. The findings of the study showed that resources in the selected rural high school are limited, and dropout impacts the school negatively. Nonetheless, with resilience and collaborative efforts of the school leaders: principal, deputy principal, teachers and other staff members, as well as limited reliance on government learners can be supported to succeed, thus increasing pass rate. The study therefore, recommends among others the need for school leaders to believe in their abilities, be resilient in their pursuit of ensuring learners' success and if need be, rely minimally on support from the government [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the factors affecting curriculum delivery as well as the way in which subject advisors deliver curriculum changes in selected rural schools in a selected education district in South Africa. Quantitative research was adopted for data collection. Questionnaires were administered to 17 educators, 35 school management team (SMT) members, and 165 subject advisors, who were purposively selected. The findings of the study show that non-involvement of educators in the curriculum planning phase, political instability, poor infrastructure, workload of educators, among other things, affect curriculum delivery, leading to curriculum change. The study recommends that educators be involved in and consulted during curriculum planning, and that political instability of the state not interfere with the planned curriculum guiding teaching and learning activities in the state. Adequate infrastructure should be provided to enhance teaching and learning activities, while more educators are recruited to reduce their workload. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenges and constraints of paperless classrooms was explored in this study using the experiences of school leaders and teachers in the Ekurhuleni district. Qualitative method was adopted. Hence data was collected through semi-structured interviews from purposefully selected participants. Thematic analysis was used for analysing the collected data. The study findings showed that the practice of paperless classrooms which has various benefits brings with it a number of challenges, like a lack of technical support, problems associated with security, the slow and inconsistent roll out of the resources, and a lack of on-going teacher development through formal and on-the-job Continuous Professional Development (CPD). The study recommends the inclusion of digital resources as tools that facilitate the enhancement of teaching and learning rather than changing the face of traditional classrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction between teachers and students is critical to the learning process. Student success and learner satisfaction have consistently improved in educational situations where instructors and students connect frequently and meaningfully. The Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework, as well as the sense of belonging concept, have received a significant amount of attention from researchers investigating online learning since its debut. The current study focuses on the CoI framework in general, and in particular on studies on teaching, social, and cognitive presences in connection to students' feeling of belonging and grit enhancement. This research investigated the opinion of 310 students at the Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad regarding their satisfaction with their teachers' presences, their academic sense of belonging, and their grit. Our methodology followed an innovative approach. First, we employed a network analysis on all subscales' mean scores, and then we performed a sequential mediation analysis based on both the network analysis results and the conclusions from the literature review. We tested whether students' perceived classroom comfort and perceived faculty support sequentially mediated the relationship between teacher's cognitive presence and students' grit. According to the scientific literature, teacher's cognitive presence consists of four fundamental categories: triggering events, exploration, integration, and resolution, which specifically the validation of knowledge by cooperation and reflection in a community of inquiry. We further tested if sense of belonging might mediate the relationship between teachers' cognitive presence and students' grit. The results show that students' perceived classroom comfort and perceived faculty support partially and significantly sequentially mediate the relationship between teachers' cognitive presence triggering events and students' grit. The results are then further used to suggest possible recommendations for designing holistic learning environments in Romanian higher education institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is crucial to teaching and learning as it has effect on such exercises in schools. However, ICT is limited in rural based compared to urban schools. In this study, the effect of the incorporation of ICT on the academic performance of rural secondary school students was investigated. Quantitative method was adopted for the study. The sample of the study comprised 34 matric learners and 14 teachers from three selected secondary schools in the rural Cofimvaba District of the Eastern Cape Province), South Africa. Questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. Excel was the software used to analyze the results. The findings showed that ICT use can indeed have a positive impact on learners’ academic performance. Some teachers, however, suggested that certain measures be put in place through using ICT to encourage positive behaviour. The study recommends that all rural and urban secondary schools should have access to the relevant ICT and ICT device, as these aid teaching and learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 as a global pandemic has greatly disrupted research, not only in terms of the practicality of research activities such as data collection, but also in data quality. Using self-study in form of duoethnography method for reflecting on research practice, this article reviews and reflects on the practices of remote data collection during the pandemic and further revisits additional issues brought about by these practices and concerns. One key observation from this self-study is the prevalence of practical challenges, particularly those related to participant access, that overshadows the potential advantages of remote data collection as well as other challenges. This challenge results in researchers' reduced control of the research process and also a requirement for more flexibility, greater sensitivity toward the participants and research skills for the researchers. We also observe greater conflation of quantitative and qualitative data collection and the emergence of triangulation as the main strategy to offset potential threats to data quality. This article concludes by calling for more discussions on several areas that feature scarce discussion in literature, including potential rhetoric importance assigned to data collection, adequacy of triangulation to safeguard data quality, and the potential difference between COVID-19's impact on quantitative and qualitative research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the debate on preference between digitalization and postdigitalization, this study which is a concept note is undertaken. This is in attempt to explore the roles of education leaders if postdigitalization is to be preferred and promoted. Digitalization which is characterised by high technology use is regarded as tool for repair and solution to prevailing challenges such as inequality, unemployment, poverty, among others tends not to be experienced optimally as envisaged. Meanwhile, one of its major drivers remains the education sector. Conversely, the concept of Ubuntu which is used to express brotherhood remains a major phenomenon in the African continent. Thus, the need to consider postdigitalization as a remedy towards harnessing some of the benefits of digitalization together with those of Ubuntu. This is majorly because in postdigitalization more of the focus remains on humans which is the case with Ubuntu compared to digitalization which considers technology more than people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Educational Forum / Forum Oswiatowe is the property of University of Lower Silesia / Dolnoslaska Szkola Wyzsza and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Inclusive education is pivotal to sustainable development in different parts of the world. This perhaps accounts for its inclusion in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in SDG4, which targets inclusive education. Meanwhile, inclusive education has predominantly dimensioned physically challenged or impaired learners. However, with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the sudden transition to online teaching and learning, the quest for a different dimension of inclusive education, especially with regard to technology, is on the increase. This paper investigates how inclusive education is presented in scholarly published articles in the South African context. Five phases of a scoping review, namely, identification, finding/searching, choosing, extraction/charting and collation, were adapted for the review. From a search using the terms "inclusive" AND "distance" AND "education" AND "disability" AND "South Africa", a corpus of 73 scholarly published articles was identified. Using different selection criteria, such as specific context of the review, 55 articles were deleted. Thus, a final corpus of 18 articles was analysed. From the reviewed relevant literature, themes were generated after retrieved information had been coded and categorised. The review indicated that the focus on inclusive education in the South African context is directed towards physically impaired or challenged persons. The paper recommends that in the context of distance education and with the sudden transition to online teaching and learning, lack of access to technology such as computers and Wi-Fi, among others, can constitute a technological disability. Thus, inclusive education in the dimension of technological disability should be explored to enable the leadership of education systems in providing the required assistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distance education celebrates its humanitarian mission of providing opportunities for disadvantaged and marginalized individuals who do not have access to traditional campus-based higher education. Large enrolments of students necessitate an industrialized approach in planning, design, and delivery informed by a normative assumption of ableism. In the context of post-apartheid South Africa, distance education fulfills a particular important role in ensuring access to education for all. This scoping review addressed two questions: "What is currently known, in the context of distance education in South Africa, about the educational experiences of SWDs?" and "How should we understand and respond to these experiences?" The scoping study shows, inter alia, that while there is an institutional commitment to providing equitable learning experiences, the lived experiences of students with disabilities provide evidence of their invisibility in the design, planning, and delivery of learning. The study concludes with some recommendations and provocations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Education is a major tool for development and equalizer. This somewhat accounts for the quest for education, at various levels, including adults who were unable to attain an education degree earlier in life. Thus, Adult Education and Training (AET) programmes are established in different community centres to promote adult literacy in different parts of the world inclusive of South Africa. However, many AET community centres tend not to be achieving the aim for their establishment due to various challenges. Hence, this study examined the challenges that are facing adult community learning centres using KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa following that it has one of the highest rates of illiteracy that causes unemployment and poverty. Social Cognitive Theory was employed for theoretical framework. Qualitative method was adopted for the study; hence, face-to-face interviews were conducted for nine purposively selected centre managers from both rural and urban KwaZulu-Natal. The collected data was coded and thematically analysed. The findings show that adult learners, facilitators and government factors inhibit the community learning centres progress. Meanwhile, centre managers strive to support adult community learning by involving different stakeholders in adult education and prioritize same. The study recommends amongst others the adoption of systemic approach where visions of AET are clearly stated to all stakeholders such as learners, facilitators, and the government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social justice is undeniably a significant pillar of democratic government, and it's pertinent to measure the post-apartheid achievements of South African democratic governments. This study explores the efforts to make education available to all learners at universities of their choice to eradicate ostracism and exclusionary practices that had permeated the apartheid era. Critical Race Theory is used as a theoretical framework to underpin this discourse analysis, while the study adopted the review method. The researchers argue that inequalities exist between rural and urban universities, as well as between rural and urban learners. The study affirms that learners from rural areas experience inadequate access to education and lack opportunities to attend better-resourced urban universities. This paper views social justice in a democratic system as equal access to social benefits and resources among citizens. Hence, the limitations of rural learners to rural universities and inadequate resourcing of rural universities negate social justice. In accordance with the realities of social justice, the education system should be accessible to all learners of the same quality at any university of their choice and equity of learning resources should be enhanced at learners' residences regardless of their human diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

University education is envisaged to contribute to and enhance sustainable development in society. Hence there is a desire for quality and effectiveness in the tertiary education system for which huge amounts of money are budgeted annually. However, the quality and effectiveness of rural university education with regard to aiding sustainable development in host communities tends to be questionable. This study explored the relevance of rural university education toward enhancing sustainable development in Africa, using the context of South Africa. A review method was adopted for this study. Relevant literature was reviewed and analysed using themes. The findings of the study show that while rural universities are capable of promoting sustainable development, those in South Africa and by extension developing and underdeveloped nations are hindered by various challenges such as lack of career guidance, globalisation of the curriculum, and poor academic literacy, among others. The challenges render students incompetent in their chosen professions, consequently affecting their ability to give back to society. The study recommends that rural universities should be designed and positioned for glocalisation first. Also, adequate support for rural universities must be made available to enable them to contribute toward sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learning challenges seem to persist in different ways in rural based universities. These challenges have led to increase in drop-out rates, as well as several menaces in the African society. Hence, this study explored the learning challenges among undergraduate students in rural universities in Africa. Relevant literatures which reported works that have previously been done on learning challenges experienced by undergraduates in rural African universities were reviewed. The methods adopted by the researchers were taken into cognizance. However, the research was limited to South Africa and Nigeria. The findings of the study show that undergraduates in the African rural universities experience common learning challenges which include: cognitive learning challenge, poor academic foundation, academic malpractice amongst academic staff and students, as well as lecturer-students' relationship. These are caused by lack of facilities, students' family socio-economic background, amongst others. The study therefore recommends that the necessary facilities and structures needed to facilitate teaching and learning practices should be provided. More lecturers should be recruited. Cordial student-lecturer relationships should be encouraged and promoted. In addition, policies that will ensure safety on campus, adoption and use of the most suitable language of instruction amongst others should be established. The study suggests the need for additional focus on the quality added to university education in developing African nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a sudden transition from face to face to online teaching and learning practices in various parts of the world. Meanwhile, the level of awareness and adoption of mobile learning (Mlearning) by means of smartphones in many rural parts of Africa tends to be considered low. The reasons for this include various factors, such as poor access to internet facilities, a lack of funds, the cost of smartphones, amongst others. This study investigates the level of awareness of South African rural higher institution students (SARHISs) on Mlearning using smartphones. A quantitative method was adopted for the study. Convenience sampling was used to select the institution and the 75 respondents who took part in the study. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire, entitled "Smartphone questionnaire (SQ)". The collected data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Version 25. The findings of the study show that the adoption of M-learning using smartphones by the respondents who are students from the South African Rural Higher Institution (SARHIS) is moderate - a little above the average. Based on the study, it is recommended, that students' awareness should be raised and that M-learning should be supported given the recent transition from onsite to online teaching and learning practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emotional lives of students are paramount in that it influences their learning abilities as well as their academic performance. The COVID-19 pandemic seems to have affected the emotional lives of students, especially those in rural areas. This study explored the impact of COVID-19 on the emotional lives of students in a selected rural university in South Africa. A quantitative research approach was adopted whereby questionnaires were used to collect data from 274 undergraduate students who were selected through simple random sampling technique. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and themes. The study findings indicate that many of the students are no longer as joyful and hopeful as they used to be because they are not in touch with their fellow students nor with their lecturers. Students are frustrated, with rising degrees of anger and anxiety. The study recommends, amongst other things, the need for the services of counsellors to be engaged at the rural university so that students can receive counselling regarding these problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-confidence is a vital trait that teachers are expected to possess before venturing into the teaching profession or going into a class to teach. The issue of self-confidence of teachers is considered to be predicated on different factors. This research study explored the connection between support from subject mentors to preservice teachers, class sizes taught by student teachers, and their self-confidence. A qualitative method was adopted for data collection from the six selected preservice teachers undergoing teaching practice in three carefully selected high schools in KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. The finding of the study shows that large class sizes mostly affect the self-confidence of preservice teachers negatively. Also, the role played by subject mentors in boosting the self-confidence of preservice teachers is immense and cannot be overemphasised. Thus, the study recommends, among other things, that preservice teachers should first be exposed to small class sizes to aid their self-confidence before being exposed to large class sizes. Meanwhile, subject mentors should be given periodic workshops on the things expected of them during teaching practice exercises and they should be motivated through various means to mentor preservice teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classroom interaction during teaching practice is the crucial aspect that shapes schools' teaching and learning enterprise. Student teachers must develop their lesson plan guided by classroom interaction as one of the teaching styles similar to those observed from mentors. This exploratory case study was underpinned by a qualitative approach to better understand their experiences and context. The sample consisted of university supervisors who were selected from the Faculty of Education at the University of Zululand, South Africa. Using thematic analysis, narrative reflections, and one-on-one structured interviews with 17 university supervisors were analysed. Findings revealed that most student teachers failed to integrate classroom interaction when teaching, while some relied on question and answer method to implement classroom interaction. This study recommends that students first be exposed to laboratory simulated lessons capable of helping them acclimatise to classroom interaction dynamics. Also, student teachers should be introduced to more dynamics of the question and answer teaching method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic made many institutions of learning at various levels across the globe to shift from onsite to online teaching and learning activities. This was regardless of the level of preparation made available for the transition process. Meanwhile, students from rural institutions of learning are considered to have peculiar challenges with such shift. Thus, this study investigated the constraints of students from a selected South African Rural Higher Education Institution (SARHEI). Quantitative method was employed in this study. Data was collected from 274 randomly selected undergraduates from a rural based South African university. Questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected data was analysed using Microsoft Excel 2016. The findings of the study showed that students tend to experience certain forms of constraints due to the available support systems from the institution of higher learning, as well infrastructure and skills for studying at home. Meanwhile, further findings showed that their level of computer skills did not constitute constraints for the students. The study recommends that appropriate support systems should be made available by rural institutions of higher learning, and students are furnished with necessary infrastructure and skills for learning from home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improved student learning abilities and successful academic performance hinge on several factors. This includes the varying supports received from different education stakeholders. Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, different student supports have been affected in ways impacting higher education students. This article draws upon data analysed from a larger, global study that involved six continents. This article explores student satisfaction in dealing with institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic using a sample from a rural South African university containing 106 undergraduates. Findings show more students were relatively satisfied with the support received from firstly hospitals, followed by banks, and then the government. Many students were disappointed with the support received from their university. These findings are discussed amid current literature. The article concludes by recommending that rural institutions of higher education review their roles to students and explore various ways of providing due support, especially during outbreaks of epidemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the management of teaching and assessment of the "qualified to be progressed" learners (QP) for quality learning and teaching. Mixed methods approach was adopted. Random and purposive sampling were used to select teachers and School Management Team (SMT) member respectively who formed the study sample. The study was conducted in 10 purposively selected secondary schools in the Vhumbedzi Circuit, Limpopo, South Africa. Data was collected from the 165 selected teachers through the use of questionnaires while interviews were conducted for 10 SMTs. The quantitative data was analysed using percentage, while the qualitative data was coded and thematically analysed. The finding of the study showed that there are no clearly developed strategies to help manage the teaching and assessment of the QP learners. The study recommends that the DBE, through its curriculum section, should assist the SMTs in the development of strategies to help manage the teaching and assessment of the QP learners for quality teaching and learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study explored the relevance of rural university education based on the experiences of learning challenges among undergraduates in selected rural universities in South Africa and Nigeria. Quantitative research design was adopted for data collection. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 934 students who served as participants for the study. Data were collected through the use of questionnaire which was analysed using descriptive statistics and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The finding of the study reveals that undergraduates in the two selected rural universities experience common learning challenges amongst which include: cognitive, poor academic foundation, and lecturer-students' relationship. These are caused by lack of facilities, students' family socio-economic background, amongst others. The study recommends that rural university education should be improved upon in order to make it more relevant, otherwise, it remains irrelevant to both the students and nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]