This thesis discusses some applications of activity theory to the analysis and design of collaborative work and learning processes either partially or wholly enabled by the use of information and communication technology (ICT). Activity theory (AT) is a monistic, materialistic psychological meta-theory comprising several distinct strands of historical and theoretical development. Founded in the former USSR in the early 1930s, it became a fundamental approach in Soviet psychology. In the West, AT was first adopted as a conceptual framework for human-computer interaction (HCI) and information systems design (ISD) in the late 1980s by researchers associated with the Participatory Design (PD) and Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) movements. Mainly drawing on Scandinavian interpretations of AT, this work established a distinctive, predominantly cultural-historical approach to context-aware information technology design now known as ATIT. ATIT is widely recognised as having made significant contributions to the theory and vocabulary of HCI and ISD; the principal aim of this thesis is to further develop its usefulness for ICT design. The research discussed explored the theory, history and development of ATIT while also applying and evaluating various established and new practical ATIT methods. These included the breakdown and focus-shifts analysis approach developed by Bødker and her associates and some novel techniques based on systemic-structural activity theory (SSAT), a modern, explicitly design-oriented synthesis of the cultural-historical and systemscybernetic strands within Soviet activity theory. The empirical investigation involved participatory action research into the uses of ICT at an adult basic education (ABE) Open Learning Centre in south Wales, UK. A longitudinal study of an intensive ICT-enabled ABE course, Computer Creative, was carried out between September 2000 and May 2001 using ethnographic techniques. This was followed-up by a short video-based study in May 2002. In both cases the aim was to use activity-theoretical techniques to identify ways of improving the use of ICT to support the Centre’s learnercentred, empowerment-oriented ABE practice. Using the key ATIT notion of breakdown as a starting-point, a number of factors influencing participants’ effective and creative learning-inuse of and with the available technologies were identified. Among the most significant of these was learners’ motivation during the ICT-enabled work-process. Conditions observed to encourage positive motivation included physical co-location in a material and sociocultural environment favouring self-regulation and mutual coordination through communicative and instrumental means and the structuring of ICT-enabled tasks so as to facilitate the formation and alignment of personally meaningful task-goals. Although user-interface (UI) design emerged as only one among many task-conditions impacting on motivation, some applications were persistently associated with recurrent and/or catastrophic breakdown. The principal UI characteristics identified as likely contributors to such breakdowns were inadequate provision of task-relevant information and under- or over-representation of task complexity. Based on these findings, the thesis presents a number of recommendations and guidelines for researchers and designers on the use of activity-theoretical techniques to create and evaluate interactive information and communication systems, ICT-enabled workprocesses and tasks, and ICT use-settings. In doing so it provides further evidence of the potential applicability of AT to a range of IT-design challenges, while concluding that in order to more fully realise this potential researchers should consider revising and expanding the conceptual framework of ATIT to include ideas from SSAT.

ALBERT, an intelligent problem-solving monitor and coach, has been developed to assist students solving problems in one-dimensional kinematics. Students may type in kinematics problems directly from their textbooks. ALBERT understands the problems, knows how to solve them, and can teach students how to solve them. The program is implemented in the TUTOR language and runs on the Control Data mainframe PLATO system. A natural language interface was designed to understand kinematics problems stated in textbook English. The interface is based on a pattern recognition system which is intended to parallel a cognitive model of language processing. The natural language system has understood over 60 problems taken directly from elementary Physics textbooks. Two problem-solving routines are included in ALBERT. One is goal-directed and solves the problems using the standard kinematic equations. The other uses the definition of acceleration and the relationship between displacement and average velocity to solve the problems. It employs a forward-directed problem-solving strategy. The natural language interface and both the problem-solvers are fast and completely adequate for the task. The tutorial dialogue system uses a modified version of the natural language interface which operates in a two-tier fashion. First an attempt is made to understand the input with the pattern recognition system, and if that fails, a keyword matching system is invoked. The result has been a fairly robust language interface. The tutorial is driven by a tutorial management system (embodying a tutorial model) and a context model. The context model consists of a student model, a tutorial status model and a dynamic dialogue model. ALBERT permits a mixed initiative dialogue in the discussion of a problem. The system has been tested by Physics students in more than 80 problemsolving sessions and the results have been good. The response of the students has been very favourable

Research has revealed that during systems design and development of e-learning technologies there is a tendency of neglecting the needs of end users and focus on the design process and the technology factors, and this has traditionally been the reason for poor usability of otherwise well conceptualized systems, as a result a number of IT-based learning tools ended up not being usable and not being utilized effectively. This study aims to investigate the impact of e-learning technologies, how people perceive the usage of e-learning technologies towards community skill development. An evaluation of four different e-learning technologies was conducted to investigate the role and efficacy of e-learning technologies within the surrounding communities. Data was analyzed as nominal data using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software 24. Descriptive analysis, frequency, reliability and correctional analysis and also measures of central tendency were computed. Reliability was evaluated for assessing the internal consistency of the items using Cronbach’s alpha. To analyze the relationship between variables matrices of Pearson’s correlation was used. Pearson’s correlation can only be accepted when the significant effect (P>.05), this indicates that there is a positive or a negative relationship between two variables, if these conditions are not met then the proposed correlation or hypothesis can be rejected. Results indicate a poor perception and poor acceptance of e-learning technologies due to a number of factors, these factors include lack of computer-self efficacy which leads to computer anxiety, affordability of internet connectivity which leads to inaccessible of e-learning technologies. The findings also indicated that LAMS was found to be less useable and less useful by a number of students. However, students who enjoy working in groups found LAMS to be useable because it was supporting their preferred learning style, whereas individualistic students preferred Moodle and Dokeos because it was supporting their personal preferences and assessment styles. Having understood all the characteristics of learning tools, relevant learning technologies that are suitable for students can then be recommended.

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Technology: Fashion, Durban Institute of Technology, 2004. / This investigation focuses on the research and development of a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) on CD-ROM to prepare Fashion students for a digitally-based industry. / M

D.Ed. / Web-based learning as an emerging new paradigm requires that instructional practitioners rethink instructional approaches, focuses and strategies to facilitate learning effectively. Together with Web-based learning, the role of thinking development in learning evolved to become major focuses in the educational arena and outcomes-based education initiatives introduced in South Africa have also placed instructional approaches to learning and complex thinking as vital components under the spotlight. Furthermore, there has been limited research - in the South African context - focusing on the link between complex thinking skills and the implementation of Web-based learning. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of instructional strategies employed in a Web-based learning model designed to develop complex thinking skills in post-graduate learners. To do this, it was necessary to establish a theoretical framework for the study. Through a literature study, the essential characteristics of complex thinking were examined and criteria derived; possible instructional strategies to enhance complex thinking were thoroughly researched and a set of criteria derived; the contribution of Web-based learning to the learning process was researched and a set of criteria derived. A Web-based learning course for post-graduate learners was then designed according to these criteria. Specifically this research sought to investigate the types of complex thinking skills evident while learners interacted in the Web-based learning environment; which instructional strategies employed in the learning programme enhanced complex thinking and learning; how the Web-based learning activities contributed to the learning process. The research took the form of an interpretive, qualitative study. The major methods of data collection were observation and documents retrieved from the Web of all the Web-based learning activities. Data were analysed using techniques of qualitative analysis recommended by Bogdan and Biklen, (1992:116), Creswell (1994:155), Marshall and Rossman (1995:85), Maxwell (1992:295), Miles and Huberman (1994:181) and Tesch (1990:97). The findings suggest that instructional strategies can be successfully incorporated for the facilitation of complex thinking. When implemented with all the criteria defined in the design, it appears to provide an effective framework for the design of a Web-based learning environment for the acquisition of complex thinking and learning.

M.Cur. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

D.Ed.

The 21st century is commonly referred to as the computer age. This term characterises the important place computers have in our everyday lives and the increasingly crucial role they will play in the future, determining the way we work, play, learn and teach. Computers are also slowly – but surely – finding their way into South African classrooms. In Gauteng, for example, the number of schools equipped with computers have grown from 24% in 1998 to 89% in 2003. This increase can be attributed directly to the concerted efforts of the National Education Department and other non-governmental organisations to close the digital divide between South Africa and the rest of the world. Apart from launching various projects to supply schools with computers, the National Education Department has further committed itself to the implementation of E-learning in a Draft White Paper on E-Learning in September 2003. The integration of computers in learning and teaching has, thus, now become a reality. This situation neccesitates much needed empirical research on how the use of computers can be effectively integrated into the teaching and learning of, inter alia, languages. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of the use of computers in teaching Afrikaans as an Additional Language. To do this, an extensive literature study has been undertaken to investigate international best practices of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). Subsequently, an empirical study – in the form of a quasi-experiment – was undertaken to investigate the effectiveness of CALL in the teaching and learning of Afrikaans as an Additional Language, by comparing it with conventional language teaching methods. A longitudinal study was done with two groups of Grade 9 learners at the Bishops Diocesian College in Cape Town and the development of their language skills was assessed by using a standardised language proficiency test (EVAT – Evaluering van Afrikaans Taalvaardigheid) as pre and post tests. The literature review indicates that computers possess certain unique characteristics that can enhance the language learning process. The results of the empirical study, furthermore, indicates that computers can be used in the teaching and learning of Afrikaans as an Additional Language and in such a way that learners’ language skills can develop in a similar way to using conventional language teaching. It further shows that learners can improve certain language skills better when using computers. This study also suggests that these results could be used as guidelines for the integration of computers in the teaching and learning of Afrikaans as an Additional Language. / Prof. A.E. Coetzee

M.Sc. (Computer Science) / Knowledge sharing technique has been revolutionized over the past years, and the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is one of the main contributors to this revolution. One of the knowledge sharing means that emerged from the use of ICTs is the electronic Learning (e-Learning) system. An e-Learning Management System (e-LMS) is a software application that utilises ICTs to manage and deliver e-Learning to users. One of the main advantages of the e-LMS is unlimited access to information, including shared knowledge regardless of geographic location and time, which is the basis for its widespread popularity of e-LMSs in the academic and corporate environment. The main motivation behind this study is the realisation of the unique nature of e-LMSs, and its dependency on ICTs that makes it more vulnerable to information security risks; if these information security risks are not mitigated or put to an acceptable level, the overall integrity of the entire e-Learning process will be compromised. Moreover, in spite of the abundance of literature in e-Learning systems, the security aspect of e-LMS has been given very little consideration. This dissertation will investigate the possible information security risks facing e-LMSs from each user’s (i.e. Lecturers, Learners and Administrator) perspective. For the identified risks, as a possible information security counter measure, the author has created an information security reference framework, called ‘An Information Security Reference Framework for e-Learning Management Systems’ (ISRFe-LMS), which is based on the International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) 27002. The ISO 27002 Standard is internationally accepted best practice for Information Security Management. Thus, the purpose of this dissertation is strictly focused on creating and enhancing the security of e-LMSs through the creation of the ISRFe-LMS. The Moodle e-LMS has been studied from its information security capabilities and mapped to the ISRFe-LMS, to validate how well it conforms to the security standards and criteria set by the ISRFe-LMS.

Educators’ competence in the integration of computers in teaching and learning is an important aspect of the improvement of standards of education both locally and worldwide. The fact that educators at the selected school perceived themselves to be competent in and enthusiastic about the use of computers to conduct educational activities holds great promise for the future of our educational endeavours. However, the reality is that there is still a lot of work to be done. The researcher has noted that the GautengOnline project and the Education and Training Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP Seta) are currently (2004) funding 100 educators at Rand Afrikaans University to study the Advanced Certificate in Education (ACE): Educational Computing. This is a two year programme which includes theory and practical about the use of computers in teaching and learning. The ACE: Educational Computing is a curricular offering that empowers educators to employ ICT in teaching and learning activities. The course will also give educators the opportunity to design and develop educational multimedia and interactive web-based learning environments. The researcher learnt that that the course is not about ICT, but it is a course about teaching with ICT. Towards the end of this study (May 2004) the GautengOnline project had started to provide training sessions to all educators in each GautengOnline school (rather than only five per school)l. These training sessions are conducted during four consecutive Saturdays and take place at the schools. It seems that the GautengOnline project and other role players are continuously contributing to addressing the digital divide that exists in South African schools. / Mr. G.V. Lautenbach