Refining and designing curricula for impactful learning
- Wits University
Professor Ritesh Ajoodha, Rieta Ganas and Dr Mahlatse Rabothata recently attended the Afretec Faculty Enrichment Programme.
The workshop took place from 27- 28 January 2025 at the American University of Cairo (AUC) in Cairo, Egypt, and focused on curriculum transformation and pedagogical strategies.
The two-day programme featured a series of interactive workshops, keynote addresses, and reflective discussions, aimed at enhancing university teaching and learning practices
The Programme started with a workshop on teaching and learning strategies in large-class environments on the first day. This session explored effective strategies to engage students and manage diverse learning needs grounded in the being of both the teacher and the learner.
The workshop was followed by a keynote address on STEM education mindsets and strategies for transformation, which explored innovative approaches to fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and interdisciplinary learning.
The second day was dedicated to curriculum design workshops, where attendees worked collaboratively to review and reflect on current curricula. The discussions focused on intentional design to promote inclusive and student-based learning experiences.
A key highlight was the incorporation of trauma-informed pedagogy, as framed by educational expert Associate Professor Mays Imad.
Overall, the two-day program served as a platform for challenging taken-for-granted assumptions involved in reviewing, enhancing, and modernising university curricula to meet evolving educational demands. Additionally, it fostered networking and collaboration among attendees, encouraged the exchange of innovative curricula ideas, and promoted the sharing of contextually valuable practices in STEM education.
The programme played a crucial role in equipping curriculum developers, educators and educational researchers with the tools and insights necessary to drive contextually responsive teaching and learning transformation imperatives and foster sustainable institutional growth. These resources may be helpful.