SJD1501 PORTFOLIO ASSIGNMENT 7
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
QUESTION 1 (20 MARKS)
Reflect on your learning experiences in this module and how these may have influenced
your answer. Identify the highlights of your journey through this module considering the
following guidelines (500 words):
1.1 Experiences with online learning - 5 marks
1.2 Group communication and discussions - 5 marks.
1.3 Working with other students - 5 marks
1.4 Contents of the module - 5 marks
You must (briefly) describe how you felt about doing an entirely online course as
opposed to a conventional pen-and-paper course with a formal examination at the end
of it. In particular, you should also comment on communication with both your fellow
students and me (as your TA) as well as the contents of the module itself. Feel free to
say how you feel - if you had problems, mention that – and whether you thought the
course was great…or merely another course that HAD to be completed…or a waste of
time. Just remember to be polite!
Answer to Question 1
I particularly enjoyed this module for so many reasons! It opened my eyes to be able to
view certain things from a social justice point of view. I enjoyed the fact that we are
allowed to be opinionated when answering our questions while infusing the knowledge
learnt at the same time. It has taught me to be able to understand the basics of the role
players and functionaries in the South African social justice system and what their key
responsibilities are.
1.1 Experiences with online learning
It was my first time experiencing online learning and I must say that I did enjoy it!
I enjoyed the fact that everything can conveniently be done remotely from the
comfort of my home or workplace. I am a person that can work well either in a group
or individually, therefore I benefited from being involved in group discussion which
enabled me to see how my colleagues view things. I was able to work independently
at my own pace and had the opportunity to be able to ask questions remotely
, whenever the need be, unlike in an actual class where you only have the
opportunity to communicate with the lecturer and fellow students when you attend.
The online learning experience is convenient when it comes to time management
because with me having to juggle both work and school, I was able to manage both
although the work load was a bit much.
1.2 Group communication and discussions
The group discussions were intriguing because it enabled me to be able to
communicate with like-minded people that shared their own opinions and
experiences. I enjoyed the group discussions because it created a platform for me
to be able to communicate with fellow students that have a common goal of being
anchors of the social justice system. It made me comfortable to be placed in a group
with students that share a common goal of playing a role in the social justice system
and people who want to make a difference! Communication with the TA was prompt
and the answers provided were clear. This is one of the greatest things of this
module, the communication did not lack!
1.3 Working with other students
As I have previously mentioned, that I am able to work with other people and
individually as well, depending the task at hand. I am a team player and therefore
enjoy working in a team or group. Although it may be difficult to work with other
students due to everyone having their own opinion and them sharing different points
of view. The challenge is understanding each other’s opinions and channelling it to a
common goal. I liked the communication platform that was created for us to be able
to introduce ourselves both to our TA and fellow students.
1.4 Contents of the module
The contents of the module in my opinion was relevant. The purpose of each
section was fulfilled. What stood out the most for me were the activities such as the
one that prepared us on how to advise a client as a legal practitioner, be it a lawyer
or an advocate. I learnt about how the legal system, criminal justice system and the
nature of the South African law. Most importantly, this module made me realise the
role I would like to play in the South African legal and criminal justice system. The
module required a bit more effort, time and attention compared to the other modules
I had enrolled for due to the work load being slightly more. For a person that has to
juggle work load, family responsibilities, extra mural activities and most importantly
school, it was a bit much but manageable. The contents of the module was relevant
to issues we encounter in our everyday lives. What I enjoyed more is the fact that
we were allowed to voice out our opinions without any judgement. I would like to
more of our modules to allow for us to have this type of freedom with our work.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
QUESTION 1 (20 MARKS)
Reflect on your learning experiences in this module and how these may have influenced
your answer. Identify the highlights of your journey through this module considering the
following guidelines (500 words):
1.1 Experiences with online learning - 5 marks
1.2 Group communication and discussions - 5 marks.
1.3 Working with other students - 5 marks
1.4 Contents of the module - 5 marks
You must (briefly) describe how you felt about doing an entirely online course as
opposed to a conventional pen-and-paper course with a formal examination at the end
of it. In particular, you should also comment on communication with both your fellow
students and me (as your TA) as well as the contents of the module itself. Feel free to
say how you feel - if you had problems, mention that – and whether you thought the
course was great…or merely another course that HAD to be completed…or a waste of
time. Just remember to be polite!
Answer to Question 1
I particularly enjoyed this module for so many reasons! It opened my eyes to be able to
view certain things from a social justice point of view. I enjoyed the fact that we are
allowed to be opinionated when answering our questions while infusing the knowledge
learnt at the same time. It has taught me to be able to understand the basics of the role
players and functionaries in the South African social justice system and what their key
responsibilities are.
1.1 Experiences with online learning
It was my first time experiencing online learning and I must say that I did enjoy it!
I enjoyed the fact that everything can conveniently be done remotely from the
comfort of my home or workplace. I am a person that can work well either in a group
or individually, therefore I benefited from being involved in group discussion which
enabled me to see how my colleagues view things. I was able to work independently
at my own pace and had the opportunity to be able to ask questions remotely
, whenever the need be, unlike in an actual class where you only have the
opportunity to communicate with the lecturer and fellow students when you attend.
The online learning experience is convenient when it comes to time management
because with me having to juggle both work and school, I was able to manage both
although the work load was a bit much.
1.2 Group communication and discussions
The group discussions were intriguing because it enabled me to be able to
communicate with like-minded people that shared their own opinions and
experiences. I enjoyed the group discussions because it created a platform for me
to be able to communicate with fellow students that have a common goal of being
anchors of the social justice system. It made me comfortable to be placed in a group
with students that share a common goal of playing a role in the social justice system
and people who want to make a difference! Communication with the TA was prompt
and the answers provided were clear. This is one of the greatest things of this
module, the communication did not lack!
1.3 Working with other students
As I have previously mentioned, that I am able to work with other people and
individually as well, depending the task at hand. I am a team player and therefore
enjoy working in a team or group. Although it may be difficult to work with other
students due to everyone having their own opinion and them sharing different points
of view. The challenge is understanding each other’s opinions and channelling it to a
common goal. I liked the communication platform that was created for us to be able
to introduce ourselves both to our TA and fellow students.
1.4 Contents of the module
The contents of the module in my opinion was relevant. The purpose of each
section was fulfilled. What stood out the most for me were the activities such as the
one that prepared us on how to advise a client as a legal practitioner, be it a lawyer
or an advocate. I learnt about how the legal system, criminal justice system and the
nature of the South African law. Most importantly, this module made me realise the
role I would like to play in the South African legal and criminal justice system. The
module required a bit more effort, time and attention compared to the other modules
I had enrolled for due to the work load being slightly more. For a person that has to
juggle work load, family responsibilities, extra mural activities and most importantly
school, it was a bit much but manageable. The contents of the module was relevant
to issues we encounter in our everyday lives. What I enjoyed more is the fact that
we were allowed to voice out our opinions without any judgement. I would like to
more of our modules to allow for us to have this type of freedom with our work.
