Malebo Matlala

By Malebo Matlala

The introduction of technology-enhanced learning has made higher education more accessible, especially in Africa, where the cost of higher education on its own can be a barrier to education. Technology introduced virtual classrooms and has allowed students from remote areas, access to education. Although the use of technology-enhanced learning in South African Higher Education was significantly low, the imposed lockdown as a result of Covid-19 catapulted the use of technology to unprecedented heights in a very short space of time. This chapter studies the impact of Covid-19 on teaching and learning in Higher education as presented in one of Africa’s largest ODeL institutions. The results of the study show that the introduction of remote online assessments presented ideal opportunities for academic dishonesty among students and that in order to protect the integrity of our qualifications, the curriculum should be designed in a manner that encourages active participation from students. This includes active learning through the integration of discussion forums, peer reviews, and group activities, and by taking cognizance of the student’s existing knowledge through reflective learning and their application of newly acquired knowledge.

Part of the book: Higher Education

By Malebo Matlala

Groundwater resources are indispensable not only in water scarce or water stressed countries, but globally as a dependable reservoir and an alternative resource of freshwater. This study assessed the spatio-temporal variability of groundwater resources within two of the biggest transboundary aquifers that South Africa shares with its neighbouring countries. Groundwater dynamics in the Karoo-Sedimentary Transboundary Aquifer (KSTA) as well as the Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System (STAS) were studied over a period of 72 years from 1948-2020. The study explored the use of historical groundwater storage data acquired through the use of Remote Sensing (RS) techniques, coupled with the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to map spatio-temporal variability in groundwater storage. Groundwater resources of the Karoo-Sedimentary Transboundary Aquifer were found to be declining over time, with an overall decline of just over 5.4 km3, whereas groundwater resources in the Stampriet remained relatively constant, with an overall increase of 0.2 km3 over the past 72 years. The results show that RS techniques coupled with GIS applications are invaluable where there is a dearth of scientific data and information, furthermore, their use in the monitoring, management and protection of groundwater resources can be applicable on the local, regional and international scales.

Part of the book: Sedimentary Rocks and Aquifers