The dropout rate of 40-60% at South African institutes of higher education, such as universities and FET colleges, indicates that there is more of a chasm than a gap between what is expected of students at school and at a tertiary institution.
It is for this reason that OLH has an orientation programme for first-year students that introduces them to the skills that they will require to succeed in their studies.
The orientation programme is made up of two elements: the Introduction to Academic Studies (IAS) and an introduction to the Personal and Professional Development (PPD) programme.
PPD is a module which all OLH students do every year of their studies and it includes aspects such as house rules, calendar and time management, administrative issues, financial management, an introduction to motivation through connection, an art workshop, reflective practice, an introduction to an Early Childhood Development classroom and daily programme.
This aspect of the orientation programme is co-ordinated by Dr Nici Rousseau and presented in conjunction with tutors with relevant knowledge and experience and other experts in their field.
The Introduction to Academic Studies is presented by a team of tutors and took a different format this year in that all presentations were based on the all-important skill of storytelling.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter was chosen on the basis that it has stood the test of time, having been first published in 1901; having been translated into 36 languages; and with 45 million copies having been sold.
Students were introduced to concepts and mechanisms that will enable them to develop high level thinking skills; to carry out research on assignment topics; and to construct a credible academic essay – all the while linking these to the practical skills required when reading/telling/dramatising The Tale of Peter Rabbit in a multilingual and multicultural South African classroom.
This culminated in students being given the challenging task of writing an essay in academic format on the following topic:
“A good children’s book should act as a window, offering views of worlds that may be real or imagined, familiar or strange. These windows are also sliding doors, inviting readers to walk through in imagination to become part of whatever world has been created by the author. When lighting conditions are just right, however, a window can also be a mirror that transforms human experience and reflects it back to the readers.
In that reflection they can see their own lives and experiences as part of the large human experience.” Rudine Sims Bishop. “Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors” in Perspectives: Choosing and Using Books for the Classroom, Vo.6, no. 3, Summer 1990.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit is over 100 years old and is still popular today. Critically discuss to what extent The Tale of Peter Rabbit successfully provides both mirrors and windows for our South African learners.
Within the orientation programme, students were given practical exercises to consolidate the skills being taught and generally worked within groups to promote awareness of the value of collaboration with fellow students. Students were asked to review the month-long programme and the results revealed:
General comments included:
“The HUB is a very useful tool. They are always there to help or assist you with what you need”
“The Introduction was very helpful. I found out about myself. Also to know how to react when you are under pressure”
“I learned and enjoyed every session. Especially group work.”
From these results, it was once again clear that the orientation programme is a very useful learning tool for both students and tutors going forward into the STADIO academic programme.