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Teaching in a Digital Age: Emerging Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, and Technology Pedagogical and Content Know

Qualification code: 77504
Duration: Semester
Language medium: English

Target group:

School Teachers (Primary and Secondary)

Admission requirements:

Applicants must be SACE-registered practising teachers who hold an entry-level teaching qualification, such as a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) or an equivalent qualification. Teachers with a Diploma in Education are also eligible to apply; however, they will undergo a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process to determine their suitability for the programme. Candidates with legacy or outdated teaching qualifications may be required to complete a bridging module to meet current academic standards. In addition, supplementary professional development, such as Academics as Teachers in Higher Education (Code 77407), may be recommended to ensure participants are adequately prepared for the advanced digital and pedagogical content covered in this programme.

Course leader details:

Dr D Chetty
Academic Development Open Virtual Hub (ADOVH)
Department of Tuition Support and Facilitation of Learning
Tel: +27 012 429 4055
Email: Chettd@unisa.ac.za

Assistant course leader details:

Dr P Tshephe
Directorate: Curriculum Development and Transformation
Department of Tuition Support and Facilitation of Learning
Tel: +27 012 481 2975
E-mail: tshepgp@unisa.ac.za

Programme administrator:

Mr D Harpestad
Academic Development Open Virtual Hub (ADOVH)
Department of Tuition Support and Facilitation of Learning
Tel: +27 015 290 3425
Email: Harpedb@unisa.ac.za

Purpose statement:

The purpose of this Short Learning Programme (SLP) is to empower educators with the knowledge, skills, and ethical values required to excel in digitally driven teaching environments. The programme aims to guide teachers in effectively integrating emerging technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their pedagogical practices, enabling them to design innovative, inclusive, and engaging learning experiences that foster critical thinking and active participation.

Modules:

ARTIT02 - Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Teachers

Content: Foundations of AI in Education AI in everyday life and classrooms From automation to generative AI AI Tools for Teaching and Learning Lesson planning, content generation, assessment support Adaptive learning platforms AI Prompt Engineering for Teachers (Afrikan Prompt Engineering) What is prompt engineering? Types of prompts: instructive, generative, reflective, comparative Best practices for effective prompting (clarity, context, constraints) Classroom-focused examples: creating quizzes, generating lesson plans, writing rubrics, and differentiating activities for diverse learners. Ethical and Responsible AI Use Bias, equity, and inclusion Data privacy and protecting learners Balancing human judgment with AI outputs Practical Workshop Designing AI-enhanced lesson materials using prompt engineering Peer critique of prompts and outputs

EMTED01 - Emerging Technologies in Education

Content: The digital transformation of education. Survey of emerging technologies: AR/VR, robotics, gamification, mobile learning, digital simulations. Opportunities and barriers in African schooling contexts (infrastructure, access, equity). Case studies of innovative classroom practices. Practical workshop: Designing a digital lesson using an emerging tool.

TPACK03 - TPACK Framework in Practice

Content: Introduction to TPACK: intersections of content, pedagogy, and technology Digital pedagogies: collaborative learning, flipped classrooms, inquiry-based learning, connectivism Designing technology-enhanced lesson plans with TPACK Case studies: successful TPACK integration in South African/ Global schools Practical workshop: Create a TPACK-aligned digital teaching portfolio