SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Bachelor of Arts Honours: Digital Media 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
14641  Bachelor of Arts Honours: Digital Media 
ORIGINATOR
University of Natal 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language  Communication Studies 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  128  Level 7  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 2663/05  2006-07-01  2009-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2010-06-30   2013-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
81020  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Digital Media  Level 7  NQF Level 08  120  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
This qualification aims to provide graduates with knowledge, skills and applied competence in a number of fields related to design, development and use of digital technologies in research, e-commerce, education and training. More specifically the qualification is designed to develop advanced skills and insights into:
  • The theoretical base and use of software tools to support research activities including reference management, debates technology and quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
  • Educational theories, design principles, communication tools required for the creations of virtual on-line learning environments and distance education.
  • Theoretical and practical aspects required for the production of digital media including graphics, animations, video and paper-based resources, and the creation of computer user interfaces.
  • Management of IT resources (e.g. networks, Internet servers, on-line educational resources).
  • Research investigations, methodologies, design and reporting in the use of digital technologies in commerce, information technology, education and training.

    It also aims to provide graduates with the foundations for continued personal and intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and for contributing to society at large through innovation, scholarship and leadership 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Entrance to the Honours programme requires at least a 60% pass at the Bachelors degree level, or Senate approval via the University of Natal's Rule 33 for postgraduate study. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Demonstrate ability to undertake and report research in scientifically acceptable ways and to evaluate validity of information.
  • Demonstrate a number of technical skills related to the creation of digital media.
  • Work effectively as a team member in group activities.
  • Develop skills to enhance learning by organizing time and tasks effectively and explore a range of different strategies and use of information retrieval and communication techniques (time and project management skills).
  • Communicate effectively (written, orally and visually) using appropriate terminology.
  • Demonstrate professional and responsible behaviour when participating in on-line discussions and evaluations.
  • Become more actively involved in the learning process through participating in open discussions, group work and reading around the subject.
  • Acquire professional attitudes and behaviour
  • Become increasingly aware of career opportunities available in the field of information technology
  • Identify and manage technical problems
  • Demonstrate ability to correct and report technical problems 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Demonstrate understanding, appreciation and relationships between concepts covered in the programme (essays, mini-projects, projects, dissertation).
  • Communicate (written, orally and visually), in a coherent manner (essays, discussions, critiques, mini-projects, projects, dissertation).
  • Read, sort and interpret information presented in various ways (essays, mini-projects, projects, dissertation).
  • Undertake projects
  • Complete assignments to deadlines
  • Master the use of computer technology for investigations and report writing
  • Be part of a group
  • Critically evaluate information
  • Reflect on their abilities and skills.
  • Work and behave diligently, courteously and professionally at all times.


    Integrated assessment:

    Integrated assessment is built into each core module;

    The short research project examination includes assessment of the candidate to integrate theory, research design and methodologies and technical skills

    Continuous assessment serves to assess the integration of all/most of the learning outcomes for each module in the qualification. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This programme was designed to allow for easy articulation between the different exit points that include an Honours degree, Advanced Postgraduate Diploma and Masters degree. Each qualification builds on the previous one. For example, a learner with an Honours degree can obtain a Masters by completing a one-year research project. Learners can enter the programme with either a basic Bachelors or Honours degree. Those entering with an Honours degree need to show competencies in the theory and practice of at least two of the core modules of the programme. Modules in Computer Science, education or cultural studies can also serve as elective modules. The programme attempts to allow learners from any discipline to develop skills in the use of digital media in information technology, research, education or commerce. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The ETQA system for HE is not yet fully developed. Until such time as it is, procedures described under Assessor Criteria will suffice. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Until the HEQC establishes a registration system for assessors in the HET Band, the University of Natal assumes that, on the basis of its rigorous selection criteria for the appointment of academic staff (who also have opportunities for staff development in assessment), staffs are competent to assess students on the modules they teach. This assessment is quality assured via a university system of internal moderation and external examination. External examiners are appointed for their teaching and disciplinary expertise and subject to the approval of Faculty Boards. The University of Natal ruling is that 66 % of all assessments at exit level, i.e. leading to a qualification, are externally examined. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006. 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.