Professional Profile

• Co-presented at Siyaphumelela 2025 Conference on Collaborative staff development for student success in online learning: Making use of the Community of Inquiry Framework.
• Co-presented at HELTASA (Un)Conference 2024 on Exploring Epistemic Agency in a Blended Learning Project: A Reflective Inquiry.
• Presented on Inclusive Learning Design during live webinar hosted by Technological University Dublin, on 30 March, 2022. I led the session on Getting to know our students in a culturally inclusive way. 
• Led #LTHEChat 229: Contextual analysis for inclusive learning and teaching. Led by: @VirnaRossi and @NokuthulaVila16 on 9 March 2022, 8 pm GMT
• Led the #LTHEChat 267: Making Assessment Briefs More Inclusive: Enhancing Tasks, Design, and Delivery with Virna Rossi @VirnaRossi, Alice S. N. Kim @AliceSNKim, Nokuthula Vilakati @NokuthulaVila16, Charles Wachira @charlestwachira, Rebecca C Thomas @rcthomasUEA
• Co-presented public lecture on Transforming higher education through blended learning in Botswana, at the SADC Centre for Distance Education
• Co-presented on quality provision of a Psychosocial Support Certificate  Programme through strategic alliance between University of KwaZulu-Natal and University of Swaziland (National Association of Distance Education and Open Learning in South Africa, (NADEOSA) Conference, Johannesburg, South Africa, 29 August, 2011)
• Presented at ISSOTL, 2021 on Developing inclusive teaching practices in relation to our students, social contexts, and life experiences (26-29 October)
• Formed part of the lead team for the Department of Higher Education and Training funded University of Cape Town Redesigning Blended Courses Project
• Coordinated the Artificial Intelligence Powered Academic Writing Course for academic staff
• Facilitated course on Quality Assurance in Blended Learning offered by the Commonwealth of Learning

View a graphic recording of the TU Dublin webinar

 

View also my video on the MIDT programme.

 

Welcome to Thula Learn

In a time of drastic change it is the learners who will inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists (Hoffer, E. 1902-1983).

This is a problem-oriented portfolio that focuses on improving my Instructional Design (ID) practice. As part of the portfolio, a number of challenges that I face will be outlined, alongside the strategies I have been learning on how to tackle such challenges while studying towards the MIDT.

To structure my portfolio, I will present the artefacts for the following related courses as separate links:
1. Designing of web-supported learning informed by relevant learning theories, ID models and current trends in the area of designing for learning with technology (see Artifacts 1, 2, 3 & 4)
2. Participatory learning culture and application through Group Projects (see Artifacts 5, 6 & 7)
3. Team building from designing for web-supported learning phase through professional development to enhance professional performance (see Artifacts 8, 9 & 10)
4. Research related to web-supported learning and final consolidation of learning processes, (see Artifacts 11, 12, 13 & 14).

Thereafter, learning pathways will be indicated as iterative loops that integrate the various levels and components of my practice through each artifact as follows:
-the contribution of each artifact in improving my practice
-new tools and techniques learned
-relevant conceptual and theoretical models
-new lessons or awareness gained through feedback and reflections
-then my empowerment through a dedicated Reflection link which synthesises lessons learned from all MIDT courses.

Favourite Links

Virtual University  for Small States of the Commonwealth

Design Based Research Collective
MIDT Knowledge Sharing Space
HMLT5203: Applying theories of learning to instructional technology
MIDT Student Imran Chen's Portfolio
Communication for change
21st Century Pedagogy
Learning Innovation Blog
Reflective Practice in HE Instruction
Community of Inquiry
Using e-Porfolios for reflective learning