SayPro Online Course SAQA 11516662690

Description

A varied assessment process, encompassing different forms of assessment, assesses all aspects of the outcomes of the programme. It gives the student the opportunity to display knowledge and skills in various ways that better reflect what they truly know and can do. Formative assessment is emphasised, so that the student and the trainer always know exactly where they are relative to where they should be in the learning process, enabling a developmental approach to teaching and learning.

Integrated Assessment:

Integrated assessments assess specific outcomes as well as critical cross-field outcomes together, and so assess outcomes of different modules together.

Assessment has moved away from a process where the student simply regurgitates what has been learned at the end of the year. In an outcomes-based system, in which the student has to be able to do things and not just know things, the approach to assessment has had to change. A varied assessment process, encompassing many different forms of assessment, should assess all aspects of the outcomes of a qualification. It must give the student opportunity to display knowledge and skills in ways that better reflect what they truly know and can do. Both formative assessment and continuous assessment are emphasized, so that the student and the trainer always know exactly where they are relative to where they should be in the learning process, allowing for a developmental approach to teaching and learning.

Learner assessment must be a true reflection of the understanding of the content by the learner. The required theoretical background of the offering must be thoroughly understood, but in such a way that its relevance to its practical application in the field of nature management is grasped. The practical nature of the programme is such that all material must be applied in the real world of nature management-learner assessment is directed towards evaluating not only the learner’s theoretical grasp but the ability to apply that knowledge. Each aspect of the programme is therefore designed to teach particular knowledge and /or skills. Assessment is designed to test the theoretical grasp of the theory underlying those skills, and the ability to apply them. The application of skills is tested in practical situations, and then finally in work-related situations. In this way the application of individual skills as they integrate with other skills in the workplace is also assessed. Assessment is therefore an integral part of the teaching and learning process. We also have a responsibility to teach the student more than simply what necessary in a particular field; there is a responsibility to contribute to teaching the student life skills and how to become a proper and useful member of society. The assessment of those skills must be integrated into the overall assessment process.

This is all detailed in a departmental assessment policy which is available on request.

Formative assessment:

Theory:

Class tests assess the level of theoretical knowledge during the course of a unit of learning. Essays, projects and presentations assess the level of theoretical knowledge during the course of a unit of learning.

Practical:

Practical write-ups, practical tests and projects assess the level of practical knowledge during the course of a unit of learning.

Summative assessment:

Semester tests and final examinations assess whether the desired theoretical outcomes have been reached.
Practical examinations assess whether the desired practical outcomes have been reached.
Projects and presentations assess the integration of theoretical and practical knowledge and skills.

The third year management plan provides an integrated assessment of all theoretical knowledge and practical skills gained during the three years of the programme.

Outcomes and Assessment of experiential learning:

Year 1 and Year 2.
Duration – 4 weeks:

Expected learning outcomes:

Students are expected to undertake four weeks per year vacation work on reserves/game farms. The expected out comes of this vacation work are as follows:

To experience how their theoretical and practical training is applied in a real situation.
To learn ho to interact with other people in a working environment.
To be exposed to and gain experience of the working of a ranch/reserve by working with experienced people in the field.
Completing the logbook requires the learner to investigate a wide range of aspects concerned with a ranch/reserve.

Assessment methods:

The logbook must be completed and the journal kept. The logbook and journal of all work in which the learner was involved must be signed off by the employers/supervisor when completed to their satisfaction (rules in this regard are found in the logbook).

The logbook and journal must be submitted at regular intervals throughout the period of study. The logbook and journal are evaluated as to meeting the required outcomes. A questionnaire on the performance of the learner given to the employer/supervisor must be completed to Centurion Akademie to be evaluated.

Year 3.
Duration- 4 months:

Expected learning outcomes:

Students have to compile a management/monitoring plan for a reserve/game farm. Students will have a week of theory classes per month for 10 months of the year and they will gather data on the reserve/game farm for 2 weeks at a time during 8 of these months.

The expected learning outcomes of this experiential learning are as follows:

To apply theoretical training and techniques in a real situation.
To understand the need and value of an ecological management/monitoring plan for a reserve/game farm.
Be able to compile a management/monitoring plan in an orderly manner.
Be able to understand and use a scientifically based management plan in a real situation.

Assessment methods:

Learners are expected to write up and hand in the relevant chapter after each two-week data gathering session. The lecturer will evacuate each chapter in relation to the required outcomes. The final management plan is assessed.

A questionnaire on the performance of the learners and satisfaction of the manager/owner of the reserve/game farm must be completed and returned to Centurion Akademie to be evaluated.