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G. Wilson and R. W. Pretorius
to apply the minSASS themselves, provides an invaluable opportunity to not only
get better acquainted with this method, but also to see how the data and results fit
into the bigger conservation picture at Telperion and may contribute to the overall
well-being and environmental sustainability of the area.
3.6 Some Reflections on the WIL Excursions at Telperion
Nature Reserve
3.6.1 Reflection on Students’ Experience
Many Unisa nature conservation students have no work experience whatsoever yet
and therefore need to gain the required skills and experience to function in workplace contexts during their participation in the WIL excursions offered at Telperion
Nature Reserve. Such students seem to be inclined to credit group work to provide
them with the necessary confidence to attempt their WIL module requirements, for
which the excursions at Telperion create an ideal milieu. Once exposed to Telperion
and how the excursions support nature conservation studies in living labs conditions,
many students express the wish to visit the reserve again. Since Unisa offers tuition
almost exclusively through ODL, with limited opportunities for face-to-face engagements, the excursions at Telperion have the added value of bringing not only students
together, but also to facilitate contact with lecturers. This results in friendships and
the formation of student-driven study groups, thus enhancing the quality of learning
as experienced by these students. However, the costs involved to attend the excursions at Telperion limit participation. If additional funding can be sourced, more
students would be able to engage with the WIL opportunities offered at Telperion.
3.6.2 Reflection on Lecturers’ Experience
From the lecturers’ viewpoint, the most noticeable benefit of the WIL excursions
at Telperion Nature Reserve is probably the opportunity to spend time with small
groups of students in face-to-face contexts. Apart from nurturing a working relationship, students seize these opportunities to approach lecturers about academic and
WIL related issues they are experiencing difficulties with. This face-to-face contact
provides lecturers with insights how their students perceive and engage with their
modules. Another positive spinoff is the opportunity for students to master the use
of the various pieces of equipment they will encounter if employed in the conservation industry, together with the certainty gained by the lecturers that these skills
have been mastered. An added advantage is the exposure of students to the staff of
the reserve and to sometimes work alongside the staff, which simulates integration
into the industry, albeit briefly, and enables students to refine their soft skills. In the
context of the WIL programme at Telperion, this exposure and learning takes place
G. Wilson and R. W. Pretorius
to apply the minSASS themselves, provides an invaluable opportunity to not only
get better acquainted with this method, but also to see how the data and results fit
into the bigger conservation picture at Telperion and may contribute to the overall
well-being and environmental sustainability of the area.
3.6 Some Reflections on the WIL Excursions at Telperion
Nature Reserve
3.6.1 Reflection on Students’ Experience
Many Unisa nature conservation students have no work experience whatsoever yet
and therefore need to gain the required skills and experience to function in workplace contexts during their participation in the WIL excursions offered at Telperion
Nature Reserve. Such students seem to be inclined to credit group work to provide
them with the necessary confidence to attempt their WIL module requirements, for
which the excursions at Telperion create an ideal milieu. Once exposed to Telperion
and how the excursions support nature conservation studies in living labs conditions,
many students express the wish to visit the reserve again. Since Unisa offers tuition
almost exclusively through ODL, with limited opportunities for face-to-face engagements, the excursions at Telperion have the added value of bringing not only students
together, but also to facilitate contact with lecturers. This results in friendships and
the formation of student-driven study groups, thus enhancing the quality of learning
as experienced by these students. However, the costs involved to attend the excursions at Telperion limit participation. If additional funding can be sourced, more
students would be able to engage with the WIL opportunities offered at Telperion.
3.6.2 Reflection on Lecturers’ Experience
From the lecturers’ viewpoint, the most noticeable benefit of the WIL excursions
at Telperion Nature Reserve is probably the opportunity to spend time with small
groups of students in face-to-face contexts. Apart from nurturing a working relationship, students seize these opportunities to approach lecturers about academic and
WIL related issues they are experiencing difficulties with. This face-to-face contact
provides lecturers with insights how their students perceive and engage with their
modules. Another positive spinoff is the opportunity for students to master the use
of the various pieces of equipment they will encounter if employed in the conservation industry, together with the certainty gained by the lecturers that these skills
have been mastered. An added advantage is the exposure of students to the staff of
the reserve and to sometimes work alongside the staff, which simulates integration
into the industry, albeit briefly, and enables students to refine their soft skills. In the
context of the WIL programme at Telperion, this exposure and learning takes place