Text in Afrikaans / Die probleem wat in hierdie studie aangespreek word, is die gebrek aan 'n didakties gefundeerde mediabenuttingstrategie vir afstandsonderwys. So 'n mediabenuttingstrategie behoort op 'n wetenskaplike ondersoek wat bestaande kennis en navorsing met 'n didaktiese besinning oor die moontlikhede en beperkinge van mediabenutting integreer, gebaseer te wees. Om hierdie probleem te oorkom word daar gepoog om 'n didakties verantwoorde grondslag vir die mediakundige ontwerp van mediabenutting in afstandsonderwys daar te stel waaruit 'n mediabenuttingstrategie vir afstandsonderwys saamgestel kan word wat ook binne die konteks van die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika toegepas kan word. Daar word dus vanuit 'n didaktiese perspektief na mediabenutting in afstandsonderwys gekyk. Daar word gepoog om aan te dui dat mediabenutting (van die mees eenvoudige tot die mees ingewikkelde) voorafgegaan behoort te word deur didakties gefundeerde mediakundige ontwerp. Eerstens word 'n aantal basiese uitgangspunte ten opsigte van didaktiese fundering en mediabenutting geformuleer. Die belangrikste aspekte wat aangespreek word, is die didaktiese situasie en mediabenutting, enkele grondliggende didaktiese riglyne, leerervarings, leergeleenthede en leerstofverwerking. Hierdie aspekte word as die onderbou beskou waarop doeltreffende mediakundige ontwerp in afstandsonderwys gefundeer behoort te word. Daarna word daar teen die agtergrond van didaktiese ontwerpmodelle, kommunikatiewe beeldeienskappe en media-eienskappe aangetoon dat mediakundige ontwerp 'n integrale deel van didaktiese ontwerp behoort te wees. 'n Uitgebreide model vir die beplanning van doeltreffende mediabenutting word daargestel om benut te kan word as 'n kontrole-instrument vir die mediakundige ontwerp van doeltreffende didaktiese gesprekke. In hierdie verband word daar klem gelê daarop dat 'n verskeidenheid van kundighede (vakinhoudelik, didaktiese fundering, afstandsonderwys, mediakundige antwerp, praktiese en tegniese mediakundige aspekte, en so meer) nodig is om op 'n doeltreffende wyse sinvolle mediabenutting tydens didaktiese gesprekke te verseker. Enkele aspekte rakende afstandsonderwys in die algemeen word daarna vanuit 'n mediakundige perspektief ondersoek met verwysing na die kernaspekte wat in definisies en beskrywings van afstandsonderwys voorkom. Enkele aspekte, spesifiek ten opsigte van mediabenutting in afstandsonderwys, word bespreek en 'n aantal tendense uit die literatuur word geidentifiseer. 'n Moontlike scenario ten opsigte van mediabenutting in afstandsonderwys word voorgestel met spesiale verwysing na die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika. Die tersiere afstandsonderwyssituasie en mediabenuttingsmoontlikhede in afstandsonderwys word ook binne die konteks van die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika verbesonder. Hieruit word 'n didakties verantwoorde strategiese plan vir mediabenutting aan die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika gesintetiseer. Laastens word aandag geskenk aan 'n aantal verbandhoudende bevindings, gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings wat uit die studie voortvloei. Hierdie aspekte gee dan ook aanleiding tot aanbevelings vir toekomstige navorsing binne die veld van mediabenutting in afstandsonderwys. / The problem addressed in this study is the lack of a didactically based strategy for media utilisation in distance education. A strategy such as this should be based on a scientific investigation integrating existing knowledge and research with didactic reflection on the prospects for and limitations of media utilisation. To surmount this problem, an attempt is made to create a didactically responsible basis for media design for media utilisation in distance education. It is pointed out that media utilisation should be preceded by didactically based media design. First, a number of basic points of departure are formulated with regard to didactic grounding and media utilisation. The most important aspects that are addressed are basic didactic guidelines, learning experiences, opportunities for learning and the processing of the learning material. These aspects are regarded as the substructure on which effective media utilisation in distance education should be based. Next, against the background of didactic design models, communicative image characteristics and media characteristics, it is demonstrated that media design should be an integral part of didactic design. An expanded model for planning effective media utilisation is proposed. In this connection emphasis is placed on the need for a variety of skills in order to ensure effective and significant media utilisation during didactic discourse. Some aspects of distance education in general are then investigated from a media-related perspective, with reference to the central aspects that appear in definitions and descriptions of distance education. Some aspects that specifically relate to media utilisation in distance education are discussed and a number of trends in the literature are identified. A proposal is made regarding a possible scenario regarding media utilisation in distance education, with special reference to the University of South Africa. Tertiary distance education and the prospects for media utilisation in distance education are also highlighted within the context of the University of South Africa. Finally, attention is given to a number of related findings, conclusions and recommendations that emanate from the study. These aspects also lead to recommendations for future research within the field of media utilisation in distance education. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Didaktiek)

D. Ed. (Didactics)

This twofold study is concerned with the status of library skills within the realm of undergraduate students' information handling skills. The main problem under investigation is whether students require library skills in order to be information literate. In the first phase of the study, a conceptual analysis is done of information literacy and information skills, and a typology of information skills is drawn up. The skills in the typology range from lower level locating skills to higher level cognitive skills such as synthesizing and evaluating. Library skills (as taught in user education programmes) are identified and placed within the information skills typology, resulting in a model of library and information skills. This model indicates that library skills can be subsumed under generic information skills but that they fall only within the lower level of information handling skills. It therefore cannot be concluded that library skills are integral to information literacy. However, it is proposed that library skills represent a prototype of information gathering strategies, and if taught as such they would be more relevant to the lifelong learning aspect of information literacy. The second phase of the project consists of three empirical studies, where the role of library skills at first year level in a distance learning institution is investigated, using the University of South Africa (Unisa) as an illustrative example. The grounded theory style of qualitative research is used to explore the attitudes of lecturers towards the need for library skills in students. Based on the findings, two grounded theories of library skills requirements are proposed: a theory of library skills nescience at Unisa, and a generalized theory of library skills requirements at a distance learning institution. It is suggested that if librarians intend to be involved in information literacy teaching, they need to convince lecturers of the importance of independent information seeking for students, should promote the prototype of information gathering strategies, and form a partnership between themselves and lecturers with the intention of teaching information gathering strategies across the subject curriculum. / Information Science / D. Bibl.

M.Ed. / The aim of the study is to assess the response of distance education students to constructivist based texts and to recommend criteria for the writing of distance education study guides. The research includes a literature review which discusses constructivist theory, distance education theory and the implications of combining the two in the instructional design of study guides. The theory is then put into practice in the design of three texts, each emphasising a different aspect of constructivism. Data on the participants' responses were collected by means of video tapes, direct observation and audiotaped interviews. The main findings of the research are: the participants had unique learning styles, their weaknesses lay in the metacognitive areas and their strengths in problem solving, and the students appeared to be in a state of transition from a surface learning approach to a deep one. The conclusion to the research suggests criteria which the researcher feels are important to instructional design in distance education. The criteria are based on the need for distance education students to construct meaning for themselves. They include ways of using constructivist skills to develop greater autonomy in the learning process, for example methods and techniques to facilitate metacognitive skills. The criteria suggest that the introduction of distance education students to constructivist learning should be a gradual process These criteria will be instrumental in assisting writers of study guides to facilitate construction of meaning and independent, critical thinking in students.

M.Comm. / The traditional mode of distance education has been correspondence teaching. This mode makes use of study guides which can be authoritarian, pedantic and not learner-centered (Buitendacht, 1994: 2). Minimal use is made of media other than the written word and teaching flows mainly one way: from the lecturer to the student (lecture centered instead of student/learner centered). In the past Technikon SA's study material was no exception. When Technikon SA adopted the ILCDE model, the need for quality courseware was immediately identified. This led to the establishment of the Centre for Courseware Design and Development (CCDD). The task of the CCDD is to develop quality interactive, learnercentered, needs-driven distance education courseware for Technikon SA's learners. Courseware is designed in accordance with the needs and expectations of industry, always taking into account the learner profile. The project team approach is utilized in the management of course development. This approach incorporates business principles such as contracting, cost-effective production, effective scheduling, maintaining quality products and project management techniques. Each project team is multi-skilled and consist of a course writer, a moderator, editor, translator, graphic designer, graphic artist, DTP (Desk fop Publisher) operator and didactic adviser (i.e. instructional designer). The objective is to produce quality courseware for distance education. Quality courseware is defined as courseware that is interactive, reader-friendly, learnercentered and related to the needs of the workplace. Emphasis is shifted from a productorientated approach (where students were expected to memorize most of the work and to reproduce it as such) to the process-orientated approach focusing on mastery of subject content (CCDD Information Guidelines, 1995:1).

M.A. / The aim of language practitioners at tertiary distance education institutions has become focussed on having their role in the development of course materials properly defined and on acquiring the necessary competencies to edit materials with a view to making them more accessible to students both in terms of language and learning ...

D.Ed. (Education Science) / In this study the realisation of practical evaluation in Distance Education Institutions was researched. The goal of this study is to set guidelines for a unique teaching model, or an in-service training model for teachers by means of distance education. The research is relevant to Vista University's Campus for Further Training ...

D.Ed. / The question arises whether the present system of apprentice education in the Republic of South Africa is in pace with the current technological development or whether the present system is in pace with the changing educational needs and demands of learners. It is important to mention that no provision is made for accreditation of learner experience during screening tests, to determine whether the learner has the necessary admission qualification to be appointed as apprentice. The possibility of combining distance education with contact education in order to provide support (contact) to the learner, should be investigated. The question proceeding from the previous one is whether the emphasis should not fall on the mastering of a number of selective skills rather than the completion of the prescribed number of weeks of practical education. Besides, the present system is so complex that practical instruction is not possible at more than one institution. From the above, it is concluded that the present education system for tradesmen (is not sensitive enough with regard to) does not comply with the unique needs and problems of adult learners. There are mainly two groups of learners in the electrical trade that are handicapped to pass the final electrician trade test due to the present training system. The first group consists of persons who want to change their profession because they have become redundant or have reached a point of saturation in terms of stimulation or promotion in their particular profession. People who want to start their own business and who consequently want to receive training to make a success of it can also be classified in this group. These two groups of learners are respectively referred to as vocational changing and vocational facilitating learners. The second group of learners became educators due to a shortage of educators, without the necessary trade qualification. They do have a professional teaching qualification but they lack the practical experience especially with regard to the electrical trade. This group is referred to as the instructional learners. If the former group of learners can receive a trade qualification it can change their role of job hunters to job creators and improve their chances of getting fixed posts. The instructional group will, by obtaining a trade qualification, improve their professional qualifications and thus secure their posts. The first-mentioned learners reveal the same needs and problems with study as experienced by adult learners. Consequently, they give up their studies because traditional education at technical colleges and Technisa is mainly reserved, especially with regard to their needs and demands to the instructional-learner situation. This reservation can mainly be attributed to the fact that they do not get the opportunity to study at their own pace and that their study experience (mainly with regard to the electrical trade) is not taken into account, nor accredited in terms of subjects or modules already passed during the training situation. Different aspects are identified in the present electrician education system in the Republic of South Africa which indicate that the present education system should be reconsidered and where possible adapted to accommodate the first-mentioned groups. It thus seems possible to address these aspects by combining contact instruction at technical colleges and distance instruction at Technisa in order to promote the quality of training of especially the adult learner. Such components include a modular instructional system which can, together with a study guide, accompany the learner step by step through the electrical trade so that (s)he knows exactly what is expected of him/her. It also includes the component of reduced contact time. Communication is improved and the learner gets the opportunity to discuss problems. The study experience of the learner, especially concerning the electrical trade, can be-compiled by means of a portfolio. It is arranged in such a way that it indicates similarities and shortcomings in terms of the prescribed electrical trade criteria as contained in the National Qualifications Framework. On account of this portfolio, the learner can be referred to further training, or further job experience via the process of accreditation. Consequently, to enable the vocational changing, vocational facilitating and the instructional groups of learners to qualify as electrician trade persons, a combined contact and distance education programme is proposed for the purpose of this study. The guidelines to the framework of such an education programme include the following: a modular training system, a study guide, decreased contact time, a portfolio and accreditation procedure.

A research report submitted to the Wits School of Education, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education by combination of coursework and research Johannesburg, 2017 / Modern-day open and distance learning (ODL) educators are increasingly being called upon to apply different forms of knowledge to integrate web-based learning management systems (LMSs) effectively for teaching and learning. To test this assumption, this study set out to develop and validate a new reliable instrument for assessing ODL educators’ perceived learning management system technological pedagogical content knowledge (LMS-TPACK). Past empirical studies grounded in Mishra and Koehler’s TPACK framework (2006) were examined to construct the self-report survey. Quantitative data were collected from 332 educators. Descriptive analysis, exploratory factor analysis and internal consistency reliability using Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were computed. The findings reveal key LMS-TPACK constructs that have proven to be both valid and reliable. Six out of the seven subscales used to assess LMS-TPACK were found to be significant, i.e. LMS knowledge (LMS-K), pedagogical knowledge (PK), content knowledge (CK), pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), LMS pedagogical knowledge (LMS-PK) and LMS-TPACK, while LMS-CK failed to emerge in the factor structure. Several possible reasons are proposed for the lack or absence of LMS-CK. The resulting Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the different constructs as well as the overall instrument scale provide compelling evidence for stable internal consistency reliability. Alpha for the entire LMS-TPACK survey was found to be excellent (α = .931). Recommendations are made for improvements to the instrument and directions for future research are highlighted. / MT2018

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The publication of the Report of the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) in 1996, the White Paper on Higher Education (1997) and the Size and Shape Report (2000) has profoundly changed the landscape of Higher Education in South Africa. Institutions of Higher Education have to re-think, among others, their teaching and learning strategies including the integration and use of technology. Although the use of technology in higher education is still in the early stages, the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is growing rapidly. The University of Stellenbosch started to integrate the Internet in their teaching in 1998. Research was undertaken to find a suitable on-line course management system and Web Course Tools (WebCT) was chosen for this purpose. Since it was implemented, the use of WebCT has grown exponentially, although in most cases only as an add-on to classroom lectures. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Mental Health Disorders in Primary Care programme was the first programme developed as a full distance education course, delivered completely by means of WebCT and making use of the team approach to programme development. This programme was therefore chosen as the case study for this research. The purpose of this study is to apply 24 internationally developed benchmarks for quality on-line distance education to the WebCT component of the WHO programme in order to determine the applicability of these benchmarks for World Wide Web (WWW) programmes at the University of Stellenbosch. The research strategy for this study is a qualitative case study. Qualitative data was obtained by conducting semi-structured interviews with the individuals involved in the design, development and implementation of the WHO course. The study concludes that the 24 benchmarks cannot be applied to the current University of Stellenbosch context. The systems at the US will either have to be adapted, or established to meet the requirements of the international benchmarks. Another option for the US could be to develop their own benchmarks, taking international guidelines into account. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die publikasie van die Nasionale Kommissie vir Hoër Onderwys se verslag in 1996, die Witskrif vir Hoër Onderwys 1997 en die onlangse "Size and Shape" Verslag, het die scenario vir Hoër Onderwys in Suid-Afrika onherroeplik verander. Hoër Onderwys instellings is besig om, onder andere, die strategieë wat leer en onderrig bevorder, in heroorweging te neem en dit sluit die integrasie of gebruik van tegnologie as een van die belangrikste punte in. Alhoewel die gebruik van tegnologie in Suid-Afrika nog in 'n beginstadium is, groei die gebruik hiervan ongekend. Die Universiteit van Stellenbosch het sedert 1998 begin om die Internet in leer en onderrig te benut. Navorsing is gedoen oor 'n geskikte elektroniese kursusbestuurstelsel en die keuse het op "Web Course Tools (WebCT)" geval. Sedert die implementering hiervan het die gebruik eksponensiële groei beleef. In die meeste gevalle word WebCT bykomend tot klaskameronderrig gebruik. Die "World Health Organisation (WHO) Mental Health Disorders in Primary Care" programme was een van die eerste, volledige afstandsonderwysprogramme wat van die spanbenadering tot programontwikkeling gebruik gemaak het. Die program is daarom ook as gevallestudie vir hierdie navorsing gekies. Die doel van hierdie navorsing is om 24 internasionale kriteria vir kwaliteit Internet afstandsonderrig, toe te pas op die WebCT komponent van die bogenoemde WHO kursus, ten einde te bepaal of die kriteria toepaslik is vir Internetkursusse binne die Universiteit van Stellenbosch konteks. Die navorsingstrategie wat aangewend is om die doel van hierdie navorsing te bereik, is 'n kwalitatiewe gevallestudie. Kwalitatiewe data is verkry deur semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude met die persone te voer wat betrokke was by die ontwerp, ontwikkeling en implementering van die WHO program. Die afleidings wat deur hierdie studie gemaak word, is dat die 24 kriteria nie toepaslik is vir die huidige Universiteit van Stellenbosch konteks nie. Die US sal dus die huidige sisteme moet verander of sisteme vestig ten einde aan internasionale standaarde te voldoen. 'n Ander opsie sou wees om 'n eie stel kriteria, gebaseer op die internasionale kriteria, te ontwikkel.