An innovative intervention to increase student pass rates, student throughput and research output

1. An innovative intervention to increase student pass rates, student throughput and research output A Joint Venture between Top Seven Investments and Tel 016 976 9014 / 0797455882 / 0794135986 /0791680015

2. This innovative intervention: Innovatively assist students through academic knowledge software, thus, enhancing quality education, resulting in increased throughput. This is simply cutting-edge technology and a new method of teaching.

3. Issues that universities face without such an intervention: • Failing students due to lack of quality assignments; • Lack in academic preparation and motivation; • Extra facilitation times and overworked lecturers; • Ultimately less research outputs by the university; and • Fewer graduates - South Africa’s graduation rate of 15% in 2008

4. The unacceptable pass rate in SA Student success rates in South African higher education institutions are unacceptable. Higher Education South Africa (HESA) reports that 35% of first-years drop out after their first year (Sapa 2008). Breier and Mabizela (2007: 281) found that only 15% of students who enrol, complete their degree in the designated time; 30% drop out after the first year and a further 20% drop-out after their second or third year.

5. The overall objective of the software: Student-centred with a student-friendly approach • Better pass rates, due to better research methods; • Increasing graduates; • Increasing the number of articles the university provides; • Providing more time allocated to research; and • Usable in classes, after classes (at home) and in PC labs

6. See what some students have to say • This video is also on YouTube and embedded in www.youtube.com/ponderainnovation And read more on Pondera at: www.ponderainnovation.com Download a prospectus of the programs from: http://www.ponderainnovation.com/Complete%20Prospectus%20for%20Universities%20and%20UoT.pdf

7. The software is for • Students who don’t immediately gasp technical points regarding doing assignments, research methodology and research proposals and reports. • Lecturers who would like to use the software as an ad-on in classes to ensure distinctive assignments. • Researchers to use to complete research proposals and reports faster.

8. To contextualise

9. The proposed products • Demonstration of the software: • Assignments Pro • Technical guidelines Pro • Advanced How to reference • Dissertation Pro Also ref. www.ponderainnovation.com

10. Return on Investment?CUTTING-EDGE It gives the student a starting point to academic engagement In industry the use of technology is very important Students can also use it any time, everywhere such as from their cellular phones Students demand (ref. video) Time saving – faster (ref. demonstration)

11. Why technology and not paper? • Specifically suited to the needs of Generation X, Y and Z within demographic segmentation principles (Schiffman & Kanuk, 2008:48). • Industry required • Environmentally-friendly • Less expensive than a published book SHIFFMAN, L. G. AND KANUK, L.L. 2008. Consumer behaviour.