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PROGRAMME OUTLINE

The Academic Literacies Writing Programme (formerly, the writing centre), a division of Learning Development in LT COLLAB, offers academic workshops and support for various aspects of academic writing in learning and teaching. This includes focusing on various literacies required in a digital age. Academic literacies practitioners work with both educators and students to implement suitable approaches to the learning and teaching of academic writing. In addition, the specially trained writing respondents provide constructive feedback on draft writing, which is submitted online by students. We reflect on the processes of learning and teaching in collaboration with both lecturers and students to enhance academic success in higher education at Nelson Mandela University and beyond (updated from Report on Academic Literacies: Writing; Fransman, 2017).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF HOW WE WORK

The following activities are carried out by the academic literacies practitioners:

Reviewing online submitted drafts

The practitioners and writing respondents, when reviewing, respond in writing to drafts of student academic writing, such as essays, proposals, and reports.

Please kindly note:

  • The turnaround time is 4-5 working days before the assignment’s due date
  • We do not proofread or edit students' work. We give constructive feedback on technical requirements and academic writing style, to help the students with self-editing
  • Drafts can be submitted to: http://forms.mandela.ac.za/writingcentre/registration

Conducting workshops

The practitioners conduct workshops on request from lecturers via:

  • Online, through Microsoft Teams or Zoom
  • Mask-to-mask, while adhering to the university protocols on COVID-19.

Consultations with students and staff

Consultations are via Microsoft TEAMS, ZOOM, phone and email. Mask-to-mask meetings may be arranged if requested.

Managing and training of writing respondents

The academic literacies practitioners manage the writing respondent process, which includes the following: appointing respondents; training them to respond to different genres of academic writing, and different faculties’ requirements; monitoring incoming and outgoing documents; and processing claim forms.

PRACTIONER CONTACT DETAILS

Missionvale Campus

Andile.Mhlahlo@mandela.ac.za

South Campus

Linda.Mostert@mandela.ac.za

Second Avenue

Gino.Fransman@mandela.ac.za

George Campus

Appointment pending

 

WEBSITE ADDRESS

https://ld.mandela.ac.za/Academic-Literacies/Academic-Writing-Literacies (University staff/students only)

 

List of Editors

 

Staff: Academic Writing Literacies
Gino Fransman
Mr Gino Fransman
Position: Project Leader Open Education Influencers Academic Literacies Professional
Department: Learning Development
Room: Room number: 015
Location: Second Avenue Campus
Phone: 041 504 2729
Email: Gino.Fransman@mandela.ac.za
Qualifications: MA Culture and Identity / B (Hons) Media Studies/ BA
Responsibilities: Academic Literacies Writing Support and Development: students and staff Coordinating writing respondent team Training Project Lead for OpenEdInfluencers Advocacy for Open/ Content creation/ team management

Ms Linda Mostert
Ms Linda Mostert
Position: Academic Literacies Practitioner
Department: Learning Development
Room: Music Building, Lower Ground, Room 12
Location: South Campus
Phone: 041 504 2686
Email: Linda.Mostert@mandela.ac.za
Qualifications: MA (English), BA Honours, BA, Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education
Responsibilities: Developing the learning and teaching of academic writing among staff and students.

Andile Mhlahlo
Mr Andile Mhlahlo
Position: Academic Literacies Practitioner
Department: Learning Development
Room: Room number - 0222
Location: Missionvale Campus
Phone: 041 504 1275
Email: Andile.Mhlahlo@mandela.ac.za
Qualifications: MA (Anthropology of Public Policy and Development) Rhodes University PG Dip (Monitoring and Evaluation Methods) Stellenbosch University M Phil (Community and Development) Stellenbosch University BA Honours (Development Studies) University of Western Cape B Soc Sc (Sociology) University of Cape Town Dip (Business Management) Varsity College Cert (Project Management) University of Cape Town
Responsibilities: To facilitate writing competencies amongst students and staff at the Mandela University. To present specialist lectures/workshops on different aspects of academic writing. To liaise closely with lecturers regarding the writing competency skills required for specific disciplines.