Law and Management Studies academic, Ms Rosemary Quilling, was one of the proud recipients of a UKZN Distinguished Teachers’ Award at this year’s Graduation ceremony.
The Information Systems and Technology lecturer received the award in
recognition of her exceptional and outstanding contribution to teaching
and learning at UKZN.
Quilling shared a few valuable insights she has learnt on her journey
over two decades in Higher Education towards becoming a Distinguished
Teacher:
Teaching is not a job nor a calling - but a way of life
‘I don’t view teaching as “just a job” or as a vocation or calling.
To me it is a way of life - a way of “being” and “becoming”. Teaching
is one of the things that define how I see things and people; how I
interact with others and what I choose to do. The essence of my teaching
is thus grounded in who I am and what I believe constitutes a worthy
endeavour. This award does not impact my view of my teaching; however
the award does validate my sense of myself as a teacher and I see it as
an acknowledgement that this is a worthwhile cause which is valued by my
colleagues, peers and students,’ said Quilling.
Catering to students’ needs is a priority
‘I believe we face three main challenges in teaching and learning:
- To create every opportunity for access and support for students that we can
- To ensure that by so doing we empower them, not just ease their progress through the Institution
- That we validate their abilities without giving them false expectations for the future.
‘The media bombards our students with the message that they can
become anything they want; though it rarely reinforces the commitment
one has to make, and the responsibility one has to accept, to achieve
this. Not only do we facilitate transfer and exploration of knowledge
and skills but we should become vision-casters. We not only help our
students to dream of a future filled with possibilities but we also
supply the substance that allows them to achieve their goals, and the
maturity to understand the related responsibilities,’ said Quilling.
Research leads to innovative teaching and learning
‘I am passionate about emerging, social, Web2.0- and subsequent
technologies. These technologies, like social media, are redefining
communication and the creation of information and are a key part of
re-imagining our reality; in business, science, education, entertainment
and socially. My current research focus is on how the use of these
technologies is articulated within Higher Education in South Africa.
‘Since 2002 I have used more than 10 platforms and applications like
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Second Life, Hipchat, and Edmodo. These
approaches have been employed at all undergraduate levels and at honours
level, as I diversified my own teaching experience. In the process I
experimented with how students at different levels coped with, and could
be challenged to take ownership of their own learning. This always
included an underlying interest in observing how technology could
facilitate this process without colonising and overpowering the
students’ learning experience.
‘I believe this awareness and sensitivity to the nuanced demands of
my discipline, students’ needs, our rapidly changing society and an
openness to challenging assumptions and limitations placed on us by our
circumstances, have been central to my teaching and the granting of this
award,’ she said
* Quilling is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Education.
Thandiwe Jumo