Mind the gap: Science and engineering education at the secondary–tertiary interface

Authors

  • Jenni Case Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
  • Delia Marshall Department of Physics, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
  • Diane Grayson Department of Physics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/sajs.2013/20120113

Keywords:

student success and throughput, academic development, curriculum responsiveness, educational innovation, school–university interface

Abstract

In the South African higher education sector, there is increasing concern about the poor retention and throughput rates of undergraduate students. There is also concern that the participation rates in higher education, relative to population demographics, remain extremely racially skewed. With the quality of schooling unlikely to change dramatically in the short term, universities need to look for ways to improve student success, particularly in science and engineering, where graduates are needed for a range of key roles in society. Here we review the research presented at a forum held by the Academy of Science of South Africa in 2010, which sought to bring together the latest expert thinking in this area. The major focus of academic development to date has been the establishment of extended degree programmes. However, it is clear that this model has limited capacity to deal with what is, in fact, a much broader problem. We summarise existing interventions aimed at reducing the ‘gap’ between secondary and tertiary education, and describe key innovations in mainstream programmes that are possible at the levels of pedagogy, curriculum and institutional environment, some of which are also becoming established internationally in science and engineering. Driving such initiatives will demand visionary university leadership in order to effect the integrated and holistic change that is needed.

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Published

2013-07-30

How to Cite

Case, J., Marshall, D., & Grayson, D. (2013). Mind the gap: Science and engineering education at the secondary–tertiary interface. South African Journal of Science, 109(7/8), 5. https://doi.org/10.1590/sajs.2013/20120113

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Section

Review Article
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