A whole new year

Good day all and welcome to 2012

As the song lyrics state "a whole new world", it is my hope that you will experience a whole new dimension to your studies. The purpose of this module is to provide you with an opportunity to practically experience the National Diploma in Public Management. In this module, via the learning outcomes, you will be assessed on what you have learnt during your years of study. The module comprises of various elements that was in all of your previous modules-from your first, second and third years of study.

It is important for you to work through all of the learning outcomes and objectives. The rubric will be used to grade your portfolio. I cannot state enough the importance of working through the Tutorial letter 101 as well as the guide as it contains essential information.

All students will in the end on the date communicated in the Tutorial letter 101 submit a logbook and the portfolio. In the logbook you will record the activities (not your supervisor) and in the portfolio you will provide the evidence of the activities stated in the logbook.

You will be guided through this process via myUnisa, this blog as well as satellite broadcasting. Details regarding the satellite sessions will be communicated in due course.

Wishing you a wonderful experience!

2011 Exam

Dear all
It is the start of the October/November 2011 examination. For many it will be their final exam. I would like to wish you a fruitful exam. Remember that hard work will be richly rewarded. Keep your eyes on the final reward and look forward to your graduation!
Blessings to all.

The last stretch

Dear students

We are hoping that you are enjoying the last stretch and almost ready to submit your portfolios and logbooks. The due date of 28 October 2011 is just around the corner. Remember that logbook will contain your activities (with the signature of your supervisor(s)) and the portfolio will contain the PROOF/EVIDENCE. We will assess you according to the learning outcomes and the rubric provided in your Tutorial letter101. Do not forget to reflect on the learning experience.

This is your portfolio and your opportunity to showcase your abilities. So SHINE!

We are looking forward to receiving your work.

Spring day

Happy spring day! May this be a season of renewal and joy.

Remember to attend our satellite broadcast on 15 September 2011.

Will you be a Unisa graduate?

UNISA GRADUATENESS STATEMENT
Unisa’s graduates should have distinctive graduate qualities, with a clear appreciation of our location on the African continent, notwithstanding the increasing internationalisation of higher education. Unisa graduates have, as a result of their successful completion of their studies in an ODL context, unique qualities. These qualities are included in the following statement on graduateness:

Unisa graduates:
(i) Are independent, resilient, responsible and caring citizens who are able to fulfil and serve in multiple roles in their immediate and future local, national and global communities.
(ii) Have a critical understanding of their location on the African continent with its histories, challenges and potential in relation to globally diverse contexts.
(iii) Are able to critically analyse and evaluate the credibility and usefulness of information and data from multiple sources in a globalised world with its ever increasing information and data flows and competing worldviews.
(iv) Know how to apply their discipline-specific knowledges competently, ethically and creatively to solve real-life problems.
(v) Are critically aware of their own learning and developmental needs and future potential.
(Unisa Curriculum Policy, pp. 13,14)

Where to start

We are now in the last three months before submission. Can you believe that eight months have passed? One of the students posted a question on where to start with the introduction. We have given you guidelines on this, but let's explore the introduction.
What is the purpose of an introduction? It is to ease the reader into the portfolio. Tell us what the portfolio is all about, reflect a bit on your learning experience. Tell us something about you. Structure it logically. Think about what is contained in the introduction when you read an academic book, an accredited journal article and make it more personal. Remember that this is YOUR portfolio and YOUR learning experience!

... on RPWE

I have just received an application for RPWE. In a very short paragraph the student requested approval due to his/her extensive experience. Now, that poses a problem. Myself and Mr Nkgabe read the whole application to determine if you are receiving appropriate exposure. You might think that you have all the exposure, but remember that we need to determine if your exposure is according to the learning outcomes-this module is a subject after all! So, PLEASE write proper application letters. Also note that you are 469 students, so it might take us some time to go through all the applications.

A new year

Dear 2011 students

Welcome to the module PMP301P. It is required that those of you who are permanently employed send the RPWE letter to either myself of Mr Nkgabe. We use the letter to determine if you are receiving proper exposure to the identified learning outcomes. Those of you that do not receive proper exposure will have to rotate in the department and also submit the logbook (and the portfolio).

Students who do not qualify for RPWE, must submit the logbook as well as the portfolio.

On 03/03/11 we will host a satellite broadcast and we will share with you exactly what we require from the portfolio. In fact, we even show you previous portfolios done by students. It is a good idea to reply to this entry with questions you would like answered during the session.

Looking forward to working with you in 2011.

Reading and submissions

I often think people do not read. I have seen with the submissions of the portfolios that people are running around, not knowing where to submit. We have repeatedly (on my Unisa, the Tut210, the satellite broadcast and in telephone conversations) stated that the documentation must be submitted via the assignment sections. If you submit it directly to the department, we (you and us) do not have record of the submission and you do not have a mark cover sheet! Please also note that portfolios cannot be submitted after 15 October 2010.

To those who must still submit the declaration and questionnaire, you can use the fax-to-mail number that was provided in your Tut101.

I would like to wish you the best of luck in the coming exams! The end is near.

One month to go

Dear students

it is only one month to the submission date for the portfolios and we are hoping that you are collecting your evidence. Remember that as we are not with you in the workplace, the only way we can assess you is through the PoE. So, put in the effort and showcase your abilities! Also remember that we discussed the compilation of the PoE in the satellite session. You can always ask the regional centre to order it for you for free viewing or alternatively you can buy it from Unisa Press.

Looking forward to see what you have done!

Broadcast on 7 July 2010

Greetings to all

Myself and Mr Nkgabe will be hosting a satellite broadcast on 7 July 2010, 10:00-11:30. Please visit your nearest Unisa regional office. The venue for the Sunnyside campus is Building 15.

Please remember that your due date for the portfolio is 1 October 2010.

The whole process...

So, we have a rubric, learning outcomes, logbook and a portfolio-how does it all fit together? All the learning outcomes relate to subjects that you have done over the past 2 and a half years. As this is the practical component of your studies, we must test your previous knowledge. Your previous knowledge is contained in the identified learning outcomes. Now, as we do not work with you, you need to show us that you can "do the work"-thus the learning outcomes. How can you illustrate your competencies? By completing the logbook (you complete it and your mentor/supervisor signs it as confirmation) and providing us with the Portfolio of EVIDENCE. In the POE you actually add evidence of what you are doing. Just adding a form that you downloaded from a site without completing it does not show us that you can do the work. We will use the rubric that you can find in your Tutorial Letter 101 as the exam memorandum.

RPWE candidates

As a RPWE candidate, we basically assess if you will receive proper exposure in your current place of employment. A person might for example be a security guard at the NPA but might never receive exposure to most of the learning objectives and outcomes.
ALL students must submit the portfolio and logbook AND supporting evidence as this is the only way in which we can assess if you receive the needed exposure and can "do the work". So, use the assessment criteria to guide you in compiling your portfolio.
The competency certificate is basically proof from your employer. Only current information in your current place of employment is needed.

Hope it helps!

Supps for PMP301P

Dear students

Congratulations to all those that passed! We received some incredible work and you can be proud of yourselves!

Please note that if you did not pass it is probably because you did not provide adequate proof of what you actually do. You also need to reflect on your activities. Just downloading forms that you did not complete is not proof that you can do the task.

Those of you between 40-49 can resubmit via the assignment section, but please remember that as this is a supp your year mark will not count. Please ensure that you add the additional information to your original portfolio and mark it clearly for easy reference.

Enjoy the period of rest and best of luck with your futures!

The end of 2009

As the end of 2009 is around the corner, it is time to reflect on the year and specifically PMP301P. Most students provided us with wonderful portfolios that truly showcased their experience. They provided us with evidence of what they are actively involved in within their departments and even within their communities. One should always keep in mind that portfolios can only be assessed on what is provided by students and according to the rubric that is available in the tutorial letters. Forms that have not been completed or documents that were just dowloaded from the internet can never be adequate proof!

I hope that all went well in the exams and that you will be graduating in 2010. May you have a blessed December-rest, regroup and may 2010 be an amazing year!

Happy Spring day everybody!

Hope you are ready for the final month before it is time for exams. Hang in there!

Submission date

Okay, we are making progress. Lecturers are not allowed to provide students with dates, but if you go to myUnisa now, you will find the correct date if you have a look at assignments.

Dear Unisa PMP301P students

Please note that I am trying to find the correct submission date. You can mail the portfolio to the address provided in your Tutorial letter 101, submit it at one of the Unisa assignment boxes or at the regional offices.

I will post a message as soon as I can confirm the submission date!

Kind regards,
Dr Holtzhausen

PS: Remember that the discussion classes will be held at various regions on 17 and 18 September 2009

Round 2

So, we have a "new intake". Just some thoughts:

• Remember to apply for RPWE
• Submit the compulsory assignment
• Work on your portfolios (it is the exam for this subject)
• Let's work together
• The period of training is 3 months

See you on myUnisa!

Dear students

Please remember that the due date for the Portfolios are 22 May, which is today! You can mail it, drop it at a Unisa assignment box or even submit it a Unisa, Samuel Pauw building, Seminar room 2.

Hope you enjoyed the experience and good luck with your other subjects!