Higher Education

In light of this, the University of the Western Cape (UWC) has become a symbol of advancement and promise. UWC is committed to addressing societal needs through involved research, teaching, and learning, as evidenced by its ranking as the 121st top university in emerging economies. Lev Vygotsky's emphasis on social interaction, sociocultural contexts, and language in learning has had a profound influence on me as a social constructivist. This concept serves as the foundation for both my teaching strategies and the larger educational environment at UWC. It encompasses the zone of proximal development and scaffolding approaches.

​

One of the cornerstones of my teaching philosophy is flexible learning. I firmly believe that providing students with flexible access to learning experiences significantly enhances their growth and success. Flexible learning, as defined by Gordon (2014), allows students to control the time, place, pace, learning style, content, assessment, and pathways of their education. This approach fosters independence, responsibility, and a sense of ownership over their educational journey.

Incorporating flexible learning into my teaching has transformed my classroom. I have introduced flipped classrooms, online activities, and practice question sessions, allowing students to engage with the material in various ways. Learning happens both synchronously and asynchronously, accommodating diverse learning preferences and schedules. My classroom now features different learning stations, including posters, mini-quizzes, and video clips, providing a variety of teaching activities that cater to individual learning styles.

The results have been encouraging. Students have reported that technology-enhanced lessons have improved their understanding of the topics. Within a short period, student performance has improved by 10%, demonstrating the effectiveness of flexible learning. This approach not only helps students grasp the content better but also creates a more engaging and supportive learning environment.

At UWC, enhancing the student learning experience is a priority. According to the UWC Institutional Operating Plan (IOP), Goal 2, improving the student learning experience is essential and can be achieved by incorporating diverse teaching activities and exercises. UWC aims to be a research-driven institution, where classroom activities are informed by the research interests and activities of our staff. This commitment to integrating cutting-edge research and real-life experiences into our teaching methods makes the learning process more relevant and engaging for students.

The rapid evolution of the digital world necessitates that lecturers continually enhance their understanding of technological advancements and their impact on student learning. By staying updated on digital trends and integrating them into our teaching methods, we can create a more effective and efficient learning environment for our students. This approach not only enriches the learning experience but also prepares students to succeed in an ever-changing world.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges, requiring a multimodal transition of teaching methods. Innovation became essential to ensure that teaching and learning could continue effectively. Faced with necessity, we embraced online teaching and developed innovative approaches for clinical assessment. Through self-research and the use of various tools such as iKamva (UWC's Learning Management System), email, Google Drive apps, Google Meet, Zoom calls, and WhatsApp, we successfully achieved our learning outcomes without face-to-face contact.

In the orthodontics module, the focus is predominantly on understanding and attaining diagnostic goals before implementing hands-on clinical skills. During the pandemic, we emphasized theoretical knowledge through online learning. Once students returned to the clinics, we concentrated on hands-on skills to catch up on missed sessions. The pandemic challenged us to think creatively and adapt quickly, ultimately enhancing our teaching methods and ensuring that our students continued to receive a comprehensive and effective education.

Reflecting on my journey as an orthodontic lecturer, I am filled with a sense of accomplishment and gratitude. The challenges we have faced and the innovations we have embraced have shaped a dynamic and resilient educational environment. As I continue on this path, I am committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that our students are well-prepared for the future and equipped to make meaningful contributions to society.

​