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Research paper thumbnail of Advances made by the University of the Western Cape in the support of remote online teaching and learning for student success and access

Perspective in Education

During the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing advances were made by higher education institutions (HEIs) ... more During the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing advances were made by higher education institutions (HEIs) to support remote online teaching and learning for student success and access, which are increasing areas of research. The major objective of this paper is to address the shift to remote teaching and learning practices that Covid precipitated in higher education. We report on literature that captures the ongoing shift to remote teaching and learning practices. The response of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) to the crisis of the pandemic will be highlighted. Various themes related to the pedagogical value of emergency remote teaching (ERT), online learning, and continual post-pandemic support are discussed. We examine how challenges presented new opportunities for curriculum innovation and transformation at the UWC. The focus is the importance of a continual professional academic support structure and post-covid awareness campaigns in order to sustain fully online and hybrid teaching and learning approaches. Recommendations highlight that departments across faculties need to focus on training and support with regard to the attainment and effective application of eSkills and eTools; and that there is a need to intensify this, especially as part of the broader curriculum transformation agenda. More research that focuses on ongoing advances in the support of remote online teaching and learning for student success and access during a pandemic is necessary.

Research paper thumbnail of A teleological interpretation of Bonhoeffer's concept of “A World Come of Age”

Dialog

This paper explores Dietrich Bonhoeffer's concept of "the nonreligious interpret... more This paper explores Dietrich Bonhoeffer's concept of "the nonreligious interpretation of biblical terms in a world come of age," best known from his Letters and Papers from Prison (LPP). As a case study of its possibilities, we will survey South African thinkers who have explored the concept in rapidly changing contexts. Our leading question is whether academic theology can develop a teleological narrative for a nation that has "come of age." When a nation or culture becomes so secular that it "outgrows" a traditional use of biblical terms, can those terms be reinterpreted to provide a teleological narrative for the nation? Bonhoeffer can be a resource for academic theologians to address issues in public theology, especially the suffering and oppression of communities still in pain despite a democratic system.

Research paper thumbnail of Leadership in Education: The Impact of Leadership on the Successful Implementation and Support of Remote Teaching, Learning and Assessment

EDULEARN Proceedings

The stimulus of collective leadership across all faculties is pertinent to the successful impleme... more The stimulus of collective leadership across all faculties is pertinent to the successful implementation and assessment of sustainable remote teaching and learning support. This study identified the role leadership had at a Higher Education Institution (HEI) in South Africa. Of particular interest was the collective leadership shown at all levels across academic faculties, departments, and professional support teams to ensure that remote teaching and learning were sustainable. A mixed-method research approach was used, in which qualitative and quantitative methods were applied. Leaders agreed that the influence of leadership affected the implementation and support of remote teaching and learning for students both negatively and positively. The findings of the study agreed with other research conducted in this field. The researchers concluded that the perceived sustainability of remote teaching and learning depends on HEI leaders' continuous review of programmes. This will ensure that improvements in the alignment of processes, technology and student-centricity are maintained.

Research paper thumbnail of A teleological interpretation of Bonhoeffer's concept of "A World Come of Age"

This paper explores Dietrich Bonhoeffer's concept of "the nonreligious interpretation of biblical... more This paper explores Dietrich Bonhoeffer's concept of "the nonreligious interpretation of biblical terms in a world come of age," best known from his Letters and Papers from Prison (LPP). As a case study of its possibilities, we will survey South African thinkers who have explored the concept in rapidly changing contexts. Our leading question is whether academic theology can develop a teleological narrative for a nation that has "come of age." When a nation or culture becomes so secular that it "outgrows" a traditional use of biblical terms, can those terms be reinterpreted to provide a teleological narrative for the nation? Bonhoeffer can be a resource for academic theologians to address issues in public theology, especially the suffering and oppression of communities still in pain despite a democratic system.

Research paper thumbnail of LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION: THE IMPACT OF LEADERSHIP ON THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION AND SUPPORT OF REMOTE TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT

LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION: THE IMPACT OF LEADERSHIP ON THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION AND SUPPORT OF REMOTE TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT, 2023

The stimulus of collective leadership across all faculties is pertinent to the successful impleme... more The stimulus of collective leadership across all faculties is pertinent to the successful implementation and assessment of sustainable remote teaching and learning support. This study identified the role leadership had at a Higher Education Institution (HEI) in South Africa. Of particular interest was the collective leadership shown at all levels across academic faculties, departments, and professional support teams to ensure that remote teaching and learning were sustainable. A mixed-method research approach was used, in which qualitative and quantitative methods were applied. Leaders agreed that the influence of leadership affected the implementation and support of remote teaching and learning for students both negatively and positively. The findings of the study agreed with other research conducted in this field. The researchers concluded that the perceived sustainability of remote teaching and learning depends on HEI leaders' continuous review of programmes. This will ensure that improvements in the alignment of processes, technology and student-centricity are maintained.

Research paper thumbnail of Advances made by the University of the Western Cape in the support of remote online teaching and learning for student success and access

During the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing advances were made by higher education institutions (HEIs) ... more During the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing advances were made by higher education institutions (HEIs) to support remote online teaching and learning for student success and access, which are increasing areas of research. The major objective of this paper is to address the shift to remote teaching and learning practices that Covid precipitated in higher education. We report on literature that captures the ongoing shift to remote teaching and learning practices. The response of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) to the crisis of the pandemic will be highlighted. Various themes related to the pedagogical value of emergency remote teaching (ERT), online learning, and continual post-pandemic support are discussed. We examine how challenges presented new opportunities for curriculum innovation and transformation at the UWC. The focus is the importance of a continual professional academic support structure and post-covid awareness campaigns in order to sustain fully online and hybrid teaching and learning approaches. Recommendations highlight that departments across faculties need to focus on training and support with regard to the attainment and effective application of eSkills and eTools; and that there is a need to intensify this, especially as part of the broader curriculum transformation agenda. More research that focuses on ongoing advances in the support of remote online teaching and learning for student success and access during a pandemic is necessary.

Research paper thumbnail of Contribution of Blended Learning Technologies and Teaching Practices to Student Success

International journal of technology in education, May 18, 2022

Student success and the perceptions of success are growing areas of research. At the University o... more Student success and the perceptions of success are growing areas of research. At the University of the Western Cape the impact that using a learning management system in blended learning approaches had on student success and perceptions of success was unknown. The research investigated perceptions of lecturers and students of the Arts Faculty regarding student success, and whether perceptions of student success, the use of technologies and blended teaching and learning approaches were interrelated. A mixed method approach was used, in which qualitative and quantitative methods were applied. All groups of participants agreed that the use of a learning management system to enhance a blended learning approach contributed to student success. These findings agreed with other research conducted by international scholars. More research that focuses on how technologies impact on the success of individual students, and the interrelatedness of technologies, learning approaches and student success is necessary.

Research paper thumbnail of The two natures of Christ: A critical analysis of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Christology

University of the Western Cape, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of The Perception of Digital Academic Literacy Tutors during the COVID-19 Pandemic at the University of the Western Cape

International Journal of Technology in Education and Science (IJTES), 6(1), 1-13., 2022

The abrupt transition in teaching and learning styles and the challenges faced by online tutors a... more The abrupt transition in teaching and learning styles and the challenges faced by online tutors as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are increasing areas of research. At the University of the Western Cape (UWC) preparing for the transition had an impact on tutors who had to make major adjustments to their tutoring. The research presented here investigated the perceptions of tutors and the challenges they faced by restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as they adapted to teaching remotely, and the limitations of access to online resources. A mainly qualitative approach with an element of triangulation was followed, in which qualitative and quantitative methods were applied. All participants agreed that the abrupt transition to online teaching and learning highlighted the type of conversations that should take place to fast track processes and provide greater online resources and support for tutors. These findings agreed with research conducted by international scholars. More research that focuses on tutors and how they were affected by the abrupt transition to online teaching in relation to the provision of data is necessary.

Books by Paul Dankers

Research paper thumbnail of Designing online learning environments in higher education: Building capacity of lecturers to design and facilitate blended e-pedagogy for mature students

ADULT EDUCATION AND LEARNING ACCESS: Hope in times of crisis in South Africa, 2022

Amidst the spread of COVID-19, higher education institutions (HEIs) in South Africa were compelle... more Amidst the spread of COVID-19, higher education institutions (HEIs) in South Africa were compelled to offer academic programmes through online learning by utilising digital information and communication technologies (ICT) that were specifically designed to deliver content to mature students who used technology in their learning. This chapter focuses on the effective design of blended-learning environments and building the capacity of lecturers to design and facilitate interactive, blended e-pedagogy for mature students. We use the adapted ADDIE model to illustrate how lecturers can design and facilitate blended e-pedagogy for mature students. In fact, the COVID-19 crisis catapulted blended e-pedagogy to centre stage in higher education and created the need for: e-pedagogy training; the refining of e-tools; collaborative e-tools; and online assessment e-tools.

Conference Presentations by Paul Dankers

Research paper thumbnail of Perceptions of the contribution blended learning technologies and teaching practices make to student success

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) adopts an inclusive online teaching and learning practic... more The University of the Western Cape (UWC) adopts an inclusive online teaching and learning practice. This practice is aimed to advance the perception of student success and to diminish dropout rates. The primary objective of this research is to measure student success and also consider lessons learned in relation to the adoption of innovative teaching and learning practices. This ongoing research at UWC explores factors
underpinning learning and teaching practices, as well as examine research on and notions about student performance. With the abrupt transition in teaching and learning caused by a pandemic, students had to make major adjustments to their lifestyle to adapt to remote learning and teaching styles. The aforementioned attributed to both emotional and environmental challenges and the perception of student success as UWC
momentously responded to students lack of resources and adaption to their teaching and learning style, subject content and their perception of success. The researcher will explore student success trends across the university and the adoption of blended learning approaches across faculties at UWC. UWC encourages and promotes the adoption of emerging technologies and blended-learning approaches, that is: the successful transition from the traditional classroom to online classes that promotes student success.

Research paper thumbnail of A TELEOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION OF BONHOEFFER'S CONCEPT OF "A WORLD

This paper explores Dietrich Bonhoeffer's concept of "the nonreligious interpretation of biblical... more This paper explores Dietrich Bonhoeffer's concept of "the nonreligious interpretation of biblical terms in a world come of age" (best known from his Papers and Letters from Prison). As a case study of its possibilities, we will survey South African thinkers who have explored the concept in rapidly changing contexts. Our leading question is whether academic theology can develop a teleological narrative for a nation that has "come of age." When a nation or culture becomes so secular that it "outgrows" a traditional use of biblical terms, can those terms be reinterpreted to provide a teleological narrative for the nation? Bonhoeffer can be a resource for academic theologians to address issues in public theology, especially the suffering and oppression of communities still in pain despite a democratic system.

Research paper thumbnail of Advances made by the University of the Western Cape in the support of remote online teaching and learning for student success and access

Perspective in Education

During the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing advances were made by higher education institutions (HEIs) ... more During the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing advances were made by higher education institutions (HEIs) to support remote online teaching and learning for student success and access, which are increasing areas of research. The major objective of this paper is to address the shift to remote teaching and learning practices that Covid precipitated in higher education. We report on literature that captures the ongoing shift to remote teaching and learning practices. The response of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) to the crisis of the pandemic will be highlighted. Various themes related to the pedagogical value of emergency remote teaching (ERT), online learning, and continual post-pandemic support are discussed. We examine how challenges presented new opportunities for curriculum innovation and transformation at the UWC. The focus is the importance of a continual professional academic support structure and post-covid awareness campaigns in order to sustain fully online and hybrid teaching and learning approaches. Recommendations highlight that departments across faculties need to focus on training and support with regard to the attainment and effective application of eSkills and eTools; and that there is a need to intensify this, especially as part of the broader curriculum transformation agenda. More research that focuses on ongoing advances in the support of remote online teaching and learning for student success and access during a pandemic is necessary.

Research paper thumbnail of A teleological interpretation of Bonhoeffer's concept of “A World Come of Age”

Dialog

This paper explores Dietrich Bonhoeffer's concept of "the nonreligious interpret... more This paper explores Dietrich Bonhoeffer's concept of "the nonreligious interpretation of biblical terms in a world come of age," best known from his Letters and Papers from Prison (LPP). As a case study of its possibilities, we will survey South African thinkers who have explored the concept in rapidly changing contexts. Our leading question is whether academic theology can develop a teleological narrative for a nation that has "come of age." When a nation or culture becomes so secular that it "outgrows" a traditional use of biblical terms, can those terms be reinterpreted to provide a teleological narrative for the nation? Bonhoeffer can be a resource for academic theologians to address issues in public theology, especially the suffering and oppression of communities still in pain despite a democratic system.

Research paper thumbnail of Leadership in Education: The Impact of Leadership on the Successful Implementation and Support of Remote Teaching, Learning and Assessment

EDULEARN Proceedings

The stimulus of collective leadership across all faculties is pertinent to the successful impleme... more The stimulus of collective leadership across all faculties is pertinent to the successful implementation and assessment of sustainable remote teaching and learning support. This study identified the role leadership had at a Higher Education Institution (HEI) in South Africa. Of particular interest was the collective leadership shown at all levels across academic faculties, departments, and professional support teams to ensure that remote teaching and learning were sustainable. A mixed-method research approach was used, in which qualitative and quantitative methods were applied. Leaders agreed that the influence of leadership affected the implementation and support of remote teaching and learning for students both negatively and positively. The findings of the study agreed with other research conducted in this field. The researchers concluded that the perceived sustainability of remote teaching and learning depends on HEI leaders' continuous review of programmes. This will ensure that improvements in the alignment of processes, technology and student-centricity are maintained.

Research paper thumbnail of A teleological interpretation of Bonhoeffer's concept of "A World Come of Age"

This paper explores Dietrich Bonhoeffer's concept of "the nonreligious interpretation of biblical... more This paper explores Dietrich Bonhoeffer's concept of "the nonreligious interpretation of biblical terms in a world come of age," best known from his Letters and Papers from Prison (LPP). As a case study of its possibilities, we will survey South African thinkers who have explored the concept in rapidly changing contexts. Our leading question is whether academic theology can develop a teleological narrative for a nation that has "come of age." When a nation or culture becomes so secular that it "outgrows" a traditional use of biblical terms, can those terms be reinterpreted to provide a teleological narrative for the nation? Bonhoeffer can be a resource for academic theologians to address issues in public theology, especially the suffering and oppression of communities still in pain despite a democratic system.

Research paper thumbnail of LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION: THE IMPACT OF LEADERSHIP ON THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION AND SUPPORT OF REMOTE TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT

LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION: THE IMPACT OF LEADERSHIP ON THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION AND SUPPORT OF REMOTE TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT, 2023

The stimulus of collective leadership across all faculties is pertinent to the successful impleme... more The stimulus of collective leadership across all faculties is pertinent to the successful implementation and assessment of sustainable remote teaching and learning support. This study identified the role leadership had at a Higher Education Institution (HEI) in South Africa. Of particular interest was the collective leadership shown at all levels across academic faculties, departments, and professional support teams to ensure that remote teaching and learning were sustainable. A mixed-method research approach was used, in which qualitative and quantitative methods were applied. Leaders agreed that the influence of leadership affected the implementation and support of remote teaching and learning for students both negatively and positively. The findings of the study agreed with other research conducted in this field. The researchers concluded that the perceived sustainability of remote teaching and learning depends on HEI leaders' continuous review of programmes. This will ensure that improvements in the alignment of processes, technology and student-centricity are maintained.

Research paper thumbnail of Advances made by the University of the Western Cape in the support of remote online teaching and learning for student success and access

During the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing advances were made by higher education institutions (HEIs) ... more During the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing advances were made by higher education institutions (HEIs) to support remote online teaching and learning for student success and access, which are increasing areas of research. The major objective of this paper is to address the shift to remote teaching and learning practices that Covid precipitated in higher education. We report on literature that captures the ongoing shift to remote teaching and learning practices. The response of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) to the crisis of the pandemic will be highlighted. Various themes related to the pedagogical value of emergency remote teaching (ERT), online learning, and continual post-pandemic support are discussed. We examine how challenges presented new opportunities for curriculum innovation and transformation at the UWC. The focus is the importance of a continual professional academic support structure and post-covid awareness campaigns in order to sustain fully online and hybrid teaching and learning approaches. Recommendations highlight that departments across faculties need to focus on training and support with regard to the attainment and effective application of eSkills and eTools; and that there is a need to intensify this, especially as part of the broader curriculum transformation agenda. More research that focuses on ongoing advances in the support of remote online teaching and learning for student success and access during a pandemic is necessary.

Research paper thumbnail of Contribution of Blended Learning Technologies and Teaching Practices to Student Success

International journal of technology in education, May 18, 2022

Student success and the perceptions of success are growing areas of research. At the University o... more Student success and the perceptions of success are growing areas of research. At the University of the Western Cape the impact that using a learning management system in blended learning approaches had on student success and perceptions of success was unknown. The research investigated perceptions of lecturers and students of the Arts Faculty regarding student success, and whether perceptions of student success, the use of technologies and blended teaching and learning approaches were interrelated. A mixed method approach was used, in which qualitative and quantitative methods were applied. All groups of participants agreed that the use of a learning management system to enhance a blended learning approach contributed to student success. These findings agreed with other research conducted by international scholars. More research that focuses on how technologies impact on the success of individual students, and the interrelatedness of technologies, learning approaches and student success is necessary.

Research paper thumbnail of The two natures of Christ: A critical analysis of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Christology

University of the Western Cape, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of The Perception of Digital Academic Literacy Tutors during the COVID-19 Pandemic at the University of the Western Cape

International Journal of Technology in Education and Science (IJTES), 6(1), 1-13., 2022

The abrupt transition in teaching and learning styles and the challenges faced by online tutors a... more The abrupt transition in teaching and learning styles and the challenges faced by online tutors as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are increasing areas of research. At the University of the Western Cape (UWC) preparing for the transition had an impact on tutors who had to make major adjustments to their tutoring. The research presented here investigated the perceptions of tutors and the challenges they faced by restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as they adapted to teaching remotely, and the limitations of access to online resources. A mainly qualitative approach with an element of triangulation was followed, in which qualitative and quantitative methods were applied. All participants agreed that the abrupt transition to online teaching and learning highlighted the type of conversations that should take place to fast track processes and provide greater online resources and support for tutors. These findings agreed with research conducted by international scholars. More research that focuses on tutors and how they were affected by the abrupt transition to online teaching in relation to the provision of data is necessary.

Research paper thumbnail of Designing online learning environments in higher education: Building capacity of lecturers to design and facilitate blended e-pedagogy for mature students

ADULT EDUCATION AND LEARNING ACCESS: Hope in times of crisis in South Africa, 2022

Amidst the spread of COVID-19, higher education institutions (HEIs) in South Africa were compelle... more Amidst the spread of COVID-19, higher education institutions (HEIs) in South Africa were compelled to offer academic programmes through online learning by utilising digital information and communication technologies (ICT) that were specifically designed to deliver content to mature students who used technology in their learning. This chapter focuses on the effective design of blended-learning environments and building the capacity of lecturers to design and facilitate interactive, blended e-pedagogy for mature students. We use the adapted ADDIE model to illustrate how lecturers can design and facilitate blended e-pedagogy for mature students. In fact, the COVID-19 crisis catapulted blended e-pedagogy to centre stage in higher education and created the need for: e-pedagogy training; the refining of e-tools; collaborative e-tools; and online assessment e-tools.

Research paper thumbnail of Perceptions of the contribution blended learning technologies and teaching practices make to student success

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) adopts an inclusive online teaching and learning practic... more The University of the Western Cape (UWC) adopts an inclusive online teaching and learning practice. This practice is aimed to advance the perception of student success and to diminish dropout rates. The primary objective of this research is to measure student success and also consider lessons learned in relation to the adoption of innovative teaching and learning practices. This ongoing research at UWC explores factors
underpinning learning and teaching practices, as well as examine research on and notions about student performance. With the abrupt transition in teaching and learning caused by a pandemic, students had to make major adjustments to their lifestyle to adapt to remote learning and teaching styles. The aforementioned attributed to both emotional and environmental challenges and the perception of student success as UWC
momentously responded to students lack of resources and adaption to their teaching and learning style, subject content and their perception of success. The researcher will explore student success trends across the university and the adoption of blended learning approaches across faculties at UWC. UWC encourages and promotes the adoption of emerging technologies and blended-learning approaches, that is: the successful transition from the traditional classroom to online classes that promotes student success.

Research paper thumbnail of A TELEOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION OF BONHOEFFER'S CONCEPT OF "A WORLD

This paper explores Dietrich Bonhoeffer's concept of "the nonreligious interpretation of biblical... more This paper explores Dietrich Bonhoeffer's concept of "the nonreligious interpretation of biblical terms in a world come of age" (best known from his Papers and Letters from Prison). As a case study of its possibilities, we will survey South African thinkers who have explored the concept in rapidly changing contexts. Our leading question is whether academic theology can develop a teleological narrative for a nation that has "come of age." When a nation or culture becomes so secular that it "outgrows" a traditional use of biblical terms, can those terms be reinterpreted to provide a teleological narrative for the nation? Bonhoeffer can be a resource for academic theologians to address issues in public theology, especially the suffering and oppression of communities still in pain despite a democratic system.