In order to understand the dynamics of change taking place in
universities in South Africa today and their impact on teaching
and learning, specifically at the University of the North, an
understanding of the changing nature of relationships in
education is essential. Teaching and learning must not be seen
in isolation, but in the context of a universal paradigm shift
manifest in all walks of life. The relationship between teacher
and learner too has fundamentally changed. In today's 'opensystems'
paradigm, relationships have become temporary,
horizontalized, other-directed and complex in nature. It is in
the light of these realities that meaningful teaching and
learning must take place.
In the context of today's rapidly changing environment, dominated
by technocracy and characterised by alienation and
misunderstanding, the need for knowledge and leadership, in and
through the University of the North, is crucial. This, in turn,
can only be achieved if the University becomes accessible and
accountable to the community. The process of transforming
anachronistic, closed and authoritarian structures on campus
towards openness and accountability has been fraught with
conflict and opportunism. The University of the North developed
from a once universal contradiction, having been created as a
political necessity, towards becoming an educational necessity.
This process has witnessed attempts at reformation, open
rebellion and the quest for total transformation. The search for
meaningful alternatives, as mirrored by the broader struggle in
society against the contradictions of apartheid policy, has impacted on all walks of life at the University. Teaching and
learning became highly politicised, characterised by open
conflict and alienation, resulting in destruction of the culture
of learning.
The present process of transformation on campus, involving all
stakeholders, has led to many achievements in the search for new
relationships and new meanings. It is essential that the
University belong to the community. Standing on the edge of
chaos, the University needs to set an example in leadership, in
accessibility, relevance, and in the promotion of Africanisation
as a didactic principle through dialogue, openness and the
sharing of knowledge through practical action at the grass roots
level. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Didactics)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/16471 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | White, Christopher William |
| Contributors | Van Niekerk, L. J. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 1 volume (various pagings) |
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