Dr Jade Smith

Dr Jade Smith is a Learning Designer supporting the design and development of blended and online courses. Her work focuses on creating clear, inclusive, and engaging learning environments, with a particular emphasis on digital accessibility. Jade provides practical support via consultations on course structure, assessment design, accessible materials design, and the effective use of the UCT learning management system. 

Jade holds a PhD in Linguistics and Applied Language Studies from Rhodes University focusing on multimodal semiotics and has more than a decade's experience teaching across high school, TVET, and university contexts. In 2024, as a lecturer in communication at the Durban University of Technology, she received an institutional award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for her innovative curriculum design. Teaching in diverse settings has shaped Jade's approach to learning design, particularly her commitment to enhancing student learning experiences with equitable access to digital materials.