Page 32 - Teaching Innovation for the 21st Century

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Teaching Innovation for the 21st Century | Showcasing UJ Teaching and Learning 2021
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First-Year Seminar
A First-Year Seminar plays an important role in supporting first-generation students and students who may not be prepared for the challenges of studying at tertiary level. As a result of the general unpreparedness of first- year students, the Faculty of Law introduced a three-day orientation programme at the beginning of each year.
The holistic extended programme incorporates both curricular
and extracurricular initiatives.
It also fosters an inviting and equitable university environment. During orientation, students are familiarised with the tertiary institution and services offered and are briefed on academic concepts. Perhaps most critical
is the use of academic language, which is addressed through learning support introduced
during the seminar and continues throughout the first year, and includes additional skills workshops, innovative teaching practices and continuous assessment practices.
Learning communities and a student-awareness programme
As many of our students do not have a personal link with the university, learning communities offer an important solution. Students are encouraged to engage with other students in
the classroom and with tutors (senior law students) and mentors (postgraduate students) to establish engaging and stimulating environments.
Activities such as mooting can promote learning communities. All first-year students at the Faculty of Law participate in mooting. With this activity, students are divided into groups and have
the opportunity to engage with their fellow students and tutors (senior students) in preparation of a final assessment. Tutors share their knowledge and experiences through mooting, thereby facilitating social integration of
all students at the Faculty of Law. Participants in previous mooting competitions often assist in the mooting preparation of first-year students by offering additional tutorials and other workshops. This is part of a learning environment that supports collaboration. By developing and enhancing learning communities, students can relate to both academic and personal obstacles they may face during their first year of study.
The role of tutors
To provide a holistic and integrated first-year experience, tutors play
an integral role in teaching and learning at the faculty. They also accompany lecturers to class, where they interact with the students through roleplay, helping them to engage fully with the material. The tutors also accompany the students when they visit the various courts in Johannesburg.
To enhance the development of our tutors, outgoing tutors meet with newly appointed tutors to exchange information and discuss challenges. Specific workshops
are conducted where members
of the profession address tutors on issues such as CV compilation, interviewing skills, and the drafting of heads of argument and court etiquette. Social networking is
also key to the development of purposeful learning as students can use electronic communication to pose questions to a wider audience.