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QuestionNursing
reflection in personal challenge that open distance E-learning students face
1 UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS MAY/JUNE 2026 PORTFOLIO EXAMINATION PAPER ENG^1503 First Examiner: Ms TJ Ntsopi Second Examiner(2$): Dr T Nkhobo Academic Language and Literacy in English 100 marks Duration: 3 Days Time: 52 Hours (Opens: Wednesday, 03 June 2026, 9:00 AM closes: Friday, 05 June 2026, 1:00 PM)
2 This paper consists of six ( 6 ) pages. INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Read these instructions carefully to ensure that you meet the requirements of the question. 2. This question paper contains ONE question. 3. Pay attention to the following aspects when you answer your question: • Content • Structure • Language and style 4. Use the checklist provided to ensure that you have answered the question. 4.1 Copy the checklist and declaration and paste them at the beginning of your script. 5. Submit the following as part of your portfolio: the completed checklist, the plagiarism declaration, and your answer. 6. Once you have completed your portfolio, compile all materials into a single PDF file and upload it via the myModules platform. Use the ‘Assessment 3’ section if you are registered for the 2026 first semester , or the ‘Assessment 4’ section if you were registered for the 2025 second semester (supplementary examination) on the ENG^1503 site. 7. In cases of any cheating or plagiarism, no marks will be allocated. 8. Pay attention to the announcements on the ENG^1503 site during the examination session. This platform will be used to communicate any urgent information. 9. Make sure you submit the correct file. 10. NO LATE EXAMINATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. SUBMIT YOUR ANSWER SHEET BEFORE THE SUBMISSION PORTAL CLOSES AT 1:00 PM ON 05 JUNE 2026. NB: Incorrect submissions will be awarded a ‘0’ mark.
3 CHECKLIST Student name and surname: Student number: Is there a student name and number on this cover page/checklist? YES (put your initials here) Is this your original work? YES (put your initials here) Have you included the plagiarism declaration we have provided you with? YES (put your initials here) Did you answer the question? YES (put your initials here) Are you submitting the correct portfolio and the correct file? (Please double-check your submission after you have uploaded) YES (put your initials here) Format if typed: Arial font size 12 One and a half (1.5) line spacing YES (put your initials here) Did you edit your work several times? YES (put your initials here) Did you convert your document to a PDF file? YES (put your initials here) Did you remove any password protection? YES (put your initials here)
4 PLAGIARISM DECLARATION: Name and student number: ……………………………………………… I declare that this ENG^1503 examination is my own original work. Where secondary material has been used (either from a printed source or from the Internet), this has been carefully acknowledged and referenced in accordance with departmental requirements. I understand what plagiarism is, and I am aware of the pertinent policies in this regard. I have not allowed anyone else to borrow or copy my work. Signature: ……………………………………………… Date: ……………………………………………………
5 Read the following extract and answer the question that follow. Every year, about 190,000 South African students make the leap from high school to university. They land in the deep end of a learning and teaching environment that is markedly different from school, and they are expected to swim. Fortunately, around 15% of these first-year students land in the safety net of extended courses offered by universities and other tertiary institutions. This alternative pathway into higher education allows access to a wider range of students. It also improves their chances of successfully achieving an academic qualification. Adapted from : Coleman, L. 2018. Lecturers reflect on their efforts to ensure no student gets left behind . The Conversation, 6 December. Available at: https://theconversation.com/lecturers-reflect-on-their-efforts-to-ensure-no-student-gets-left- behind- 108611 (Accessed: 7 May 2026). Instruction: 1. Using the text above as a starting point, write TWO well-developed paragraphs of 300 - 350 words in which you reflect on your personal challenges as an Open Distance e- Learning (ODeL) student at UNISA. Your discussion must focus ONLY on time management and the use of online learning management systems such as the myUnisa Moodle platform. Then, explain how each of these challenges has affected your ability to complete assignments, engage in online activities, and prepare for final examinations. Support your discussion with examples from your own lived experiences. Finally, suggest TWO practical strategies that lecturers could implement to support students. Ensure that your suggestions are clearly linked to the challenges you have discussed. N.B: Responses that are vague, overly general, or not related to your personal experiences will not be awarded marks. Use the rubric below as a guideline to understand how your work will be assessed. TOTAL: 100 MARKS
6 5 4 3 2 1 Level 34 - 40 27 - 33 20 - 26 11 - 19 0 - 10 Range • An excellent understanding and knowledge of the topic. • Well-conducted appraisal of positions on the topic • Insightful and original demonstrating a clear stance and voice • Highly selective supporting details • Captivating introduction and highly convincing • Sound understanding and knowledge of the topic • Convincing but not captivating presentation of the topic • A concerted effort at originality • Relevant supporting details • Evidence of a research based argument but not well substantiated • Writer stance and voice but with some • Some understanding and knowledge of the topic • Reasonable development of idea inadequate appraisal of positions on the topic. • A few lapses in content, claims not fully supported • Sometimes disjointed and loosely presented • Unsatisfactory handling of the topic • Some irrelevant and repeated information • Mundane handling of the topic • Flawed by generalizations and inadequate supporting detail • Writer stance and voice vague and indeterminate • Very little or no evidence of understanding and knowledge of the topic. • Very little understanding of the genre conventions • Fragmented/disjointed/ muddled ideas • Writer stance and voice muddled Content 40% • Punctuation and grammar are correct • Word choice, vocabulary and diction is highly appropriate for the genre • Demonstrates a mastery of the register of the genre • Sentence structure is correct and varied • Sentence are linked, coherent • Meaning clear with very few or no grammar errors • Very good command of grammatical structures • A wide range of vocabulary, linking devices and sentence structures • Demonstrates a mastery of the register of the genre • Sentence are linked, and coherent • Meaning clear, occasionally hindered by grammatical errors • • Occasional flawed sentences, punctuation, and spelling errors • Word choice, vocabulary and diction is appropriate for the genre • Sentence structures are correct but not as varied • Sentences are not so well linked and coherent • Limited vocabulary and sentence variety • Inadequate use of appropriate syntactic language features/structures • Poor punctuation and sentence construction • Obscured/confused meaning • Poor command of vocabulary, sentence structure and punctuation • Very limited use of the appropriate grammar and syntactic structures • Inappropriate use of expressions Language 40% • Logical flow of ideas within paragraphs. • Structure is easy to follow and adheres to the structure of the genre (Marks 16 - 20) • Well-structured paragraphs, neat and legible • Structure is easy to follow and adheres to the structure of the genre. (Marks 13 - 15) • Reasonably good presentation • A few poorly structured paragraphs • Legible, but with some typing errors. (Marks 9 - 12) • Inconsistently defined paragraphs • Progression of ideas hard to follow. • A few gaps in knowledge of genre. (Marks 5 - 8) • Cluttered presentation. • Illegible handwriting. • Many grammatical and typographical errors, which impede meaning. • Poor knowledge of genre conventions (Marks: 0 – 4) Presentation and writing conventions 20% Excellent- outstanding Good-very good Satisfactory - Good Poor Very Poor Overall comment
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Step 1:Identifying Personal Challenge: Time Management
As an ODeL student at UNISA, balancing academic responsibilities with work and family commitments is a significant challenge. Managing time effectively is difficult because there are no fixed class schedules, which often leads to procrastination and last-minute work.
Step 2:Impact of Time Management Challenge
Poor time management has caused me to submit assignments close to deadlines, reducing the quality of my work. I have also struggled to participate regularly in online discussions and activities, which has limited my engagement with course material and affected my preparation for final examinations.
Step 3:Example from Lived Experience: Time Management
For example, during the ENG^1503 module, I found myself overwhelmed by multiple deadlines. I had to prioritize work tasks over academic ones, which resulted in rushed assignments and missed opportunities to interact with peers on the myUnisa forums.
Step 4:Identifying Personal Challenge: Use of Online Learning Management Systems
Navigating the myUnisa Moodle platform was initially confusing. Finding resources, submitting assignments, and accessing feedback required time and practice. Technical issues such as slow internet and unfamiliarity with the platform added to my stress.
Step 5:Impact of Online Platform Challenge
Difficulty using the online system led to late submissions and missed announcements. I sometimes overlooked important resources or instructions, which negatively affected my assignment quality and exam preparation.
Step 6:Example from Lived Experience: Online Platform
In one instance, I uploaded the wrong file for an assignment because I was unfamiliar with the submission process. This mistake cost me marks and made me anxious about future tasks.
Step 7:Suggested Lecturer Strategy 1: Structured Weekly Planner
Lecturers could provide a structured weekly planner with recommended study times, assignment deadlines, and reminders for online engagement. This would help students manage their time more effectively and reduce last-minute stress.
Step 8:Suggested Lecturer Strategy 2: Orientation and Ongoing Support for myUnisa
Lecturers could offer regular orientation sessions and short video tutorials on how to use the myUnisa Moodle platform. Ongoing support through Q&A forums or live help sessions would assist students in overcoming technical challenges.
Final Answer
As an ODeL student, my main challenges are time management and using the myUnisa Moodle platform. These challenges have affected my assignment quality, online participation, and exam preparation. Practical lecturer support, such as structured planners and ongoing platform training, would help address these issues and improve my academic performance.
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