Scribd
Upload
11 views

MOU_memorandum of Understanding

This Memorandum of Understanding outlines the expectations and responsibilities for students enrolled in the English for Education program at North-West University. Key points include the importance of completing assignments, adhering to deadlines, and maintaining communication with lecturers, as well as the consequences of plagiarism and the use of AI. Students are required to sign and submit the MOU to confirm their understanding and agreement to its terms.

Uploaded by

Nkosana Pule
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
11 views

MOU_memorandum of Understanding

This Memorandum of Understanding outlines the expectations and responsibilities for students enrolled in the English for Education program at North-West University. Key points include the importance of completing assignments, adhering to deadlines, and maintaining communication with lecturers, as well as the consequences of plagiarism and the use of AI. Students are required to sign and submit the MOU to confirm their understanding and agreement to its terms.

Uploaded by

Nkosana Pule
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

School of Language Education, English for Education:

General Subject Policy

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

This Memorandum of Understanding (hereinafter referred to as MOU) is an attempt to facilitate


teaching and learning in ENGLISH FOR EDUCATION, and to clarify expectations, obligations,
responsibilities, and duties. Students are requested to read and sign the document. The MOU is
consistent with the policies and principles of North-West University.

1. Completion of assessments
All assignments must be completed as per the module programme. If there are circumstances
that stand in the way of your completing a task, proof of this must be produced. Note that a
claim may or may not be accepted; each instance is considered on its own merits. You must
complete assignments in order to reach the outcomes of your modules. Formative assessments
facilitate the successful completion of summative assessments, and should therefore be
completed meticulously, even if no marks are awarded in some cases. Please note that being
enrolled for the module and completing assignments does not guarantee a pass. (A rule
1.12.3.2.4. “A student must obtain a weighted average of at least fifty percent (50%) and the
requisite applicable statutory-body requirements to pass the module”).

2. Study and completion of EPs


The EP is a core resource in any module. You are expected to study it, and to conduct the
requisite research, follow all links, watch visual materials, and read all suggested materials. It is
also compulsory to use the blank spaces provided for your answers and thoughts on the topics
in the EP. Whenever there is a dispute about a student’s marks or if the student is a border-line
case, the EP will be requested to verify whether the student worked continuously. Study the EP
from cover to cover and communicate with your lecturer if there is anything you do not
understand.

3. Due dates and extensions


Deadlines for the submission of assignments are stipulated by lecturers and these should be
adhered to strictly. Extension may be granted in cases with merit and when arranged with
lecturers prior to the date of submission. It remains the prerogative of lectures to grant or deny
requests for extension. There may be unforeseen delays, so sometimes we will have to shift
due dates.

4. Missed assignments
If you fail to complete an assignment, be aware that because of schedules and (often) large
classes, the lecturer will in all probability not have the time or space to set an assignment
exclusively for the few students who have not completed the assignment as required. At the end
of the semester there will be a second opportunity task. If your module mark is between 40%
and 49%, you will have the option of doing the extended opportunity assignment. This
assessment is for students who have not passed, and not for students who are unhappy with
their mark (if it is 50% and over) and want to improve it or if you merely missed an assignment.
It is best to put as much as you can into your first attempts in all the tasks, to guarantee the
mark you are aiming for. (See A rules 1.12.7.2).

5. Assessments uploaded to platforms as instructed


Submit assignments as per instruction, on the platform the lecturer asks you to use. Work
uploaded to the wrong platform may incur a penalty or may not be marked at all. For example,
many of the tasks need to go through Turnitin, so if you upload them to Dropbox, they are not
processed in Turnitin, which means that they have not been checked for plagiarism or copying.
Read instructions carefully and submit in the right place.

6. WhatsApp groups and dissemination of (inaccurate) information on WhatsApp and other groups
WhatsApp groups are to be utilised for study work related issues and should not be used as
platforms for making derogatory remarks about fellow students, staff, or the university. Use the
group as directed by your lecturer. Please keep the POPIA act in mind at all times
https://www.nwu.ac.za/access-to-information-act

Furthermore, it is best to leave the sharing of module information to your lecturers. Very often,
inaccurate information is passed on, with negative consequences. Please avoid in particular the
copying and pasting of communications out of context, in WhatsApp groups. Every student must
check eFundi as often as possible (at least once a day) and read announcements for
themselves, to avoid the “broken telephone” effect.

7. Communication with lecturers


The first thing to do is to find out who your module lecturers are as early in the semester as
possible. Use the email address your lecturer has asked you to use, and no other. Do not
contact lecturers on other campuses. Keep emails courteous and professional. Supply all
relevant information (student number, module code and request) otherwise you will not get a
response from your lecturer. Please give ample time for a response to your email, keep in mind
that lecturers do not only teach your module. Some email request will be answered via
announcement on eFundi. Refrain from calling lecturers’ private numbers.

8. Turnaround time for feedback on tasks and assignments


Lecturers will always endeavour to give timeous feedback after submission of assignments. This
is, however, subject to class size and type of assignment. The normal turnaround time is two
weeks. The turnaround time for large classes (80+) will be longer than two weeks.

9. Problems with electronic devices and access


If your device is not working optimally, make sure that by the time a task is due to be submitted,
you have done everything possible to sort out the problem. Screenshots of technical glitches
should be sent to lecturers on WhatsApp groups as proof of difficulty experienced. Be aware
that claims will be checked with eFundi staff.

10. Grievance and query procedure for English for successful assistance
First, contact your own lecturer if you have a query or complaint. If after you have made every
effort to communicate with your lecturer, but you feel the matter is not resolved, then follow this
procedure:
1. Contact the module leader: this information may be obtained from your lecturer. If you
are still not satisfied, then contact:
2. The Subject Group Leader: Prof. S. Romylos (Potchefstroom:
[email protected]); Deputy Subject-Chairs: Ms J. Kruger (VC) or Dr S.
Sibanda (MC)
3. If you are still not satisfied, contact the Director of SLE: Prof. Kaiser (Potchefstroom),
Deputy Director: Dr. T Mokgadi (Mahikeng) or Dr M Mtimkulu (Vanderbijlpark).
Other lecturers should not be burdened with complaints. If you skip the line of inquiry and
contact for example the Dean, your query is ultimately referred to your lecturer. Save time and
follow the grievance procedure.

Take note: There cannot always be an immediate response to your query or grievance. It will be
addressed when the relevant parties can manage to deal with it, your patience would be
appreciated.

11. Studying full time and working


If you are a full-time student, whether contact or distance, you are responsible for meeting all
the requirements of your modules. The fact that you are employed cannot be used as a reason
for the late or non-submission of assignments, or for failing to follow announcements and
discussions. Students should keep in mind that they opt for either full-time or part-time. Part-
time students are advised at the beginning of their studies not to try to complete their studies in
the shortest possible time. This implies that you have familiarised yourself with the content,
assessment schedule and all other aspects of this choice. The workloads remain the same for
all campuses.

12. Interaction with eFundi


If you experience issues with your access to eFundi, contact eFundi staff on the following:
http://services.nwu.ac.za/ctl/student-efundi-support
The various eFundi Helpdesk numbers below are available between 8:00 AM and 16:45 PM.
Central Helpdesk: 018 285 5930
Mahikeng Campus: 018 389 2312 or 018 389 2447
Potchefstroom Campus: 018 299 2003 or 018 285 2295
Vanderbijlpark Campus: 016 910 3035 or 016 910 3038
It remains your responsibility to ensure that you do everything in your power to ensure
connectivity. Some factors such as load-shedding are beyond your control, but others are not.

13. Use of nicknames, aliases, and alternative names on official documents


Please use the names on your official documents (ID, passport, etc.) rather than a nickname or
alias. The use of alternative names leads to administrative confusion. This applies to the
WhatsApp group as well.

14. Context of “bonus marks”


Bonus marks may be awarded for submissions to Voices (creative writing competition) or
attendance of Jagger- Bee society events.

15. Plagiarism and use of AI


Plagiarism and unethical use of AI is a serious academic offence and has direct consequences.
Read and digest every communication regarding plagiarism and the use of AI. The use of AI
for assignments is not allowed unless indicated otherwise by your lecturer (AI includes
paraphrasers and grammar tools). IF you are uncertain, it is YOUR responsibility to ask your
lecturer about the use of AI and associated apps. AI essays and assignments cannot be
presented as your own work. This is a form of plagiarism and is regarded as academic fraud. IF
plagiarism and/or AI use are detected by Turnitin, you will be reported to AIITS (Academic
Integrity for Teaching and Learning) for academic transgressions. (Consult the NWU Guidelines
on the Responsible and ethical use of AI for further clarity:
https://services.nwu.ac.za/sites/services.nwu.ac.za/files/files/CoPAI/NWU-Guidelines-
Responsible-Ethical-Artificial-Intelligence-13.03.24.pdf)

16. Participation
Every student should participate in discussions and group work and attend sessions as
required. Attendance of classes is compulsory twice a week during the officially
scheduled times on the timetable of the NWU and will count towards your final mark. Your
lecturer will inform you if there is a percentage weighting for professional conduct in the module.
According to the Senate resolution of May 2022, required attendance at classes and in lectures
by students, if so required and communicated by the responsible academic, remains
mandatory. This is further supported by the A rules for 2025 - A-rule 1.9.1.4. “Faculty rules
provide for the requirements for active participation by students in specific qualifications or
programmes and students may not register for modules in which they are unable to or intend
not to actively participate”. Rules for the degree Bachelor of Education as taken up in the
yearbook clearly states on page 16 “It is compulsory to attend all contact sessions”.

Yearbook link: https://studies.nwu.ac.za/sites/studies.nwu.ac.za/files/files/yearbooks/2024/FEdu-


BEd-new-2024-v1.pdf

Exception from class attendance can only be applied for from the executive Dean IF the student
is repeating the module and “in the opinion of the academic director concerned, did meet the
class attendance requirements” the previous year. (See A rules 1.11) According to faculty rules
under 1.11.2 students should have complied with the class attendance requirement of at least
80% to qualify for the exemption.

A rules:
https://www.nwu.ac.za/sites/www.nwu.ac.za/files/files/i-governance-management/policy/2024/A-
Rules/7P_2024_e1.pdf

PLEASE SIGN and submit on eFundi under assignments before the first contact
session:

I have read and understood the __________ MOU stipulated in the Evidence of
Performance. By signing this agreement, I undertake to abide by its terms.

Name, surname and title: _Nkosana Pule Mr___________________

Student number: _45934045__________________

Date: _____________

Signature: ______________________

Please print and sign and scan in this page for submission or sign it
electronically.

You might also like