From the students: Classes and workload

In the SciMathUS course, the educators facilitate learning through a Problem-based Learning (PBL) approach. This enables students to take an active role in their learning process. It forces them to think critically and aims to create an environment wherein students can ideally develop and sustain self-directed learning skills. These new ways of teaching and thinking are definitely something new for the students and a challenge for some as it differs greatly from the way they were taught in high school.

These are some of the responses from the students in terms of their classes and workload:

The classes give me an idea of how the actual classes would look like next year and I do even get glimpses of other classes being taught – Ethan Dumas

Since I’ve been here, I have learnt to think critically and I have learnt how to solve problems in a simplified way. Everything is clear and easier now that I understand. Yolisa Manyinyi

SciMathUS aims at teaching students to think for themselves and take responsibility for their own learning. Through this, students gain responsibility for their own future. Chandré Gelant

 

Yesterday we wrote a formal physics test. I tried a different study method that I most probably couldn’t do at home, I never worked like that before. The environment is great. You can feel it is a learning environment. I wrote well because the classes are very good. The lecturers do a very good job in preparing us for next year. Timothy Juries

I find it interesting and exciting to study here because many of the educators show their passion for their work by teaching us with excitement and enthusiasm. I admire them for caring and teaching us with patience. Macklin Smith 

The experience of classes made things easier for me, because some teachers at high school gave me recipes, but now I have various methods to solve problems and I am able to interpret things better.  Luyanda Feliti

Working in groups with different people on different levels helps me to expand my knowledge more. Danielle Peters

SciMathUS helps me to better my thinking skills and the way of analysing problems. Now that I am in the programme, I notice that I have a different approach to solving problems. The problem-based learning classes are playing a huge part in my life. Silindokuhle Mafuya

Goed wat ek op skool glad nie verstaan het nie, maak vir my nou sin. Die onderwysers laat ons baie tuis voel. Respek is wedersyds. Dis lekker om met ander mense te werk. Dit verander jou perspektief. Logan McHelm

For the first time I am understanding things I never understood before and SciMathUS has been a great help to me thus far. The group work experience is a great help. The peer assessment helps us explain work to one another on a simple relatable way. Milandré Swartbooi

Since I’ve come here, I now know how to study and have met teachers who are friendly and who teach in a manner that makes you love the subject. Vusumuzi Mkhwanazi

The teaching method used in the programme is very active, which I think is very good. Lungiswa Tolobisa

Die manier waarop ons werk in die SciMathUS program verskil baie van hoe ek dit op skool gedoen het. Hier doen ons al die werk deeglik en ek verstaan die werk ook baie beter. Renata Moerat