The Faculty of Science, Engineering, and Agriculture at the University of Venda (UNIVEN) recently hosted a unique public lecture titled “Theoretically Grounding Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in the Extended Curriculum Programmes.” This insightful session, delivered by Prof Clever Ndebele, Acting Director of the Directorate of Teaching and Learning at Walter Sisulu University, delved into the critical role that theoretical grounding plays in enhancing educational practices within extended curriculum frameworks. The event, which took place on Monday, 28 October 2024, at the Research Conference Centre, was a rare opportunity to gain a fresh perspective on teaching and learning.
On Photo: Prof Clever Ndebele, Acting Director of the Directorate of Teaching and Learning at Walter Sisulu University
In his thought-provoking presentation, Prof Ndebele emphasised the need to view teaching as a complex intellectual endeavour rather than a simple, routine function. He introduced the audience to Boyer’s four forms of scholarship: the scholarship of discovery, which focuses on generating new knowledge through traditional research; the scholarship of integration, which connects insights across disciplines; the scholarship of application, aimed at addressing real-world problems; and the scholarship of teaching, which has evolved to include the scholarship of teaching and learning. Prof Ndebele highlighted that effective teaching transcends mere knowledge transmission; it involves transforming and extending knowledge through active engagement and interaction with students, positioning educators as co-learners.
Prof Ndebele further distinguished scholarly teaching—characterised by an educator’s engage-ment with current disciplinary knowledge and reflective practices aimed at improvement—from the scholarship of teaching and learning, which involves sharing research findings with the broad-er academic community for critique and dissemination. He stressed the importance of “sorting” in scholarly inquiry, which entails systematically investigating student learning questions and the contexts that shape this learning. This sorting process, he expressed, is public and peer-reviewed, contributing to a deeper understanding of pedagogy and enabling the integration of diverse dis-ciplinary perspectives. By sharing effective teaching practices, academics can collectively advance higher education.
Another key theme of Prof Ndebele’s lecture was the significance of theoretical frameworks in scholarly work. He articulated that a robust theoretical framework provides a structured approach to understanding complex phenomena, enabling researchers to clarify relationships among vari-ous constructs. He underscored the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in enriching teaching and learning, particularly in social research.
In his concluding remarks, Prof Ndebele reaffirmed that teaching and learning represent an intel-lectual pursuit requiring systematic inquiry, critique, and collaboration. He advocated for a schol-arly approach to teaching that goes beyond routine practices, emphasising a continuous commit-ment to improving educational outcomes through informed and reflective methods.
On Photo: Mr Innocent Zitha, Lecturer Department of Science Foundation
Mr Innocent Zitha delivered the vote of thanks, highlighting that the event offered valuable oppor-tunities for learning and unlearning. He mentioned the interrelated yet distinct nature of teach-ing and learning, expressing gratitude to Prof Ndebele for his impactful presentation. He also ac-knowledged the efforts of the Science Foundation Department in organising the event. He thanked the university community, especially the students, for participating, emphasising their presence is more valuable.
The lecture aimed to engage faculty, students, and educational practitioners in critical discussions about innovative teaching strategies and their implications for student success. As education con-tinues to evolve, understanding the theoretical foundations that inform teaching methodologies is essential for fostering an effective learning environment.
On Photo: Prof Stanford Shateyi, Head of Department of Science Foundation directing the programme and giving welcome remarks
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
