Students equipped to navigate the digital world

Staff from the Midlands Region and CSET at the workshop

Unisa’s Midlands Region recently hosted a three-day workshop in collaboration with a team of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET) responsible for the module ‘Ethical information and communication technologies for development solutions’, referred to as EUP for short.

The objectives of the workshop were to share information about the regional support that is available for students registered for the EUP module, to introduce the context of the module, with specific reference to current developments, and to engage with students. The initiative forms part of the collaboration that was established between CSET and the regions in 2022 through the DIGITECH Community of Practice.

Some of the students who attended the workshop

During the workshop, the EUP team first engaged with regional staff members to strengthen the relationship between them, and to empower the employees of the regional office. Thereafter, approximately 100 students from various regional service centres had the opportunity to attend the workshop physically while others connected virtually via the online platform.

Sharlotte Hlengwa, primary EUP lecturer, highlighted that the module has evolved, and that it is important for students to understand its history. She indicated that the module is geared towards equipping students with skills that will make them digitally literate citizens.

Hlengwa offered comprehensive training to students on how to navigate information successfully from the module website, and urged them to visit the myUnisa and myLab IT sites regularly since doing so will help to minimise frustration and confusion. Students also have to visit these sites to participate in the discussion forums. She noted that student assistants are available and equipped to help and support students. She added that it is important for students to master the system and to visit the module website to get regular updates.

Sharlotte Hlengwa, primary lecturer for the EUP module

The objectives of the workshop were accomplished, lessons were learnt and recommendations for improvements were made for purposes of future engagements. The workshop was practical and interactive, and students had the opportunity to share their experiences and to highlight the challenges they have encountered in navigating the system since they are first-time students.

* By Thotogelo Masenya, Communication and Marketing Officer, Unisa Midlands Region