Suppes beweer dat "All teachers everywhere recognise the help that books give them in teaching students. The day is coming when computers will receive the same recognition. Teachers look on computers as a new and powerful tool for helping them to teach their students more effectively." In hierdie ondersoek word gepoog om op die voordele van die aanwending van een mikrorekenaar as hulpmiddel vir die onderwyser vir die onderrig van wiskunde, te wys. Die belangrikste oorwegings in die ondersoek was: 1. Efektiwiteit van die metode. 2. Bekostigbaarheid van die metode. Die effektiwiteit van hierdie metode van onderrig word hoofsaaklik bepaal deur die geskiktheid van die programmatuur. Programmeringsvaardighede aan die kant van onderwysopgeleide persone versterk hierdie oorweging. Deurdat slegs een mikrorekenaar gebruik word, word deels aan die tweede oorweging, naamllk bekostigbaarheld, voldoen. Programmeringsvaardighede, soos hierbo genoem, kan ook bydra tot die besparing van koste deurdat bogenoemde programmatuur 'intern' ontwikkel word. Die wens word uitgespreek dat hierdie metode van onderrig tot voordeel van die totale leerlingbevolking van die land aangewend sal kan word.

Thesis (MTech (Quality (Faculty of Engineering) Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2008. / While the necessary Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure at the Holy Cross Sisters' School (HCSS) has been established, there has been little evidence of the successful integration of ICT into the school. While traditional teaching methods are still being practiced, ICT integration into the curriculum has been non- existent and mundane administrative tasks are still being performed manually. Furthermore, management has no real vision in place with regards to ICT integration at the school. Due to the fact that the HCSS has not optimally used its ICT capabilities results in administrative processes being inefficient and impacting adversely on the quality of the education provided. The objectives of this research study are to develop a model that mitigates the research problem with focus on improving administrative processes, integrating ICT into the curriculum, and combining ICT with traditional teaching methods to exponentially improve upon the efficiency of teaching and learning. The research methodology for this dissertation will fall within the ambit of action research, using both qualitative and quantitative research paradigms. The research question that will form the crux of this dissertation reads as follows: 'What mechanistic approach can be deployed at the HCSS to integrate ICT within the organization to improve the quality of education and improve on the efficiency of internal processes?' Observations, focus groups and a survey will serve as data collection methods for this research. Data collected will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the Degree of Master of Information & Communications Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / Computer-programming dexterity is an essential skill for students of computer science, information technology and engineering who are intrinsically expected to be able to do programming. However, teaching and learning computer-programming concepts and skills have been recognised as a great challenge for both teachers and students, for many reasons. Computer-programming requires new ideas in thinking and conceptualising practical solutions. It requires creative skills in solving practical, but often difficult problems. Moreover, computer-programming students, generally lack problem-solving skills and self-efficacy. They typically find it difficult to use artificial programming languages to solve challenging problems. There is the problem of poor background in science and mathematics that would help students to rapidly understand the intricacies of computer-programming. Students are not motivated to overcome the fear of the bizarre syntax of computer-programming codes. These challenges, coupled with the huge potential of computing applications in the society have made the development of effective pedagogies and environments for computer-programming courses, an important issue. To address this issue in a unique way, this study proposes to explore a web-based, blended learning technique with minimal instructor intervention, to improve the computer-programming competence of information technology students. These students are expected to have developed an acceptable level of computer-programming competence at university to be job ready and to be self-reliant in their future careers. The technique being proposed in this study was implemented in a blackboard ™/®/© web-based environment. The effectiveness of the technique was demonstrated using experimentation coupled with the data analysis method that is based on the three-parameter item response theory and retrospective pretest. The method used in this study to evaluate computer- programming competence of students reflects the perspective of the students in the evaluation process. The results of the study indeed show that using the proposed technique, information technology students dynamically collaborate with their peers with minimal instructor intervention towards improving their computer-programming competence. / M

ICTs have had a tremendous impact on our educational environment. There have been a huge number of developments and support in implementation of ICT in Higher Education teaching and learning, also referred to as e-learning. Similarly there appears to be quite a number of research conducted on the use of ICTs in blended learning settings worldwide and as well as in South Africa. Very little research however, has focussed on the experiences of lecturers with e-learning, specifically as it relates to Learning Management Systems (LMS). In trying to meet the requirements of its academic programmes and be in line with new developments worldwide, the University which is the focus of this study pilot projected the use of an LMS in a blended learning approach which integrates face-to-face classes with Blackboard, an ICT-based system or tool. Following the implementation of the pilot project, this study explores the experiences of lecturers in their blended learning environments at this university in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The research design was that of an interpretative paradigm within a qualitative research approach in a case study methodology. Purposive sampling of six lecturers from departments within faculties across two campuses was done. The data was gathered through interviews, a follow-up questionnaire and document analysis was employed. Using Critical and Social Realism as meta-theories the study employed aspects of Activity Theory as substantive theory to understand particular experiences of blended learning environments and identify conditions which enable and constrain engagement in these environments so as to explore potential lessons to inform the kind of educational support which could be offered to facilitate uptake of the LMS.

The use of information communication technology in the 21st Century is very important. The skills and knowledge of using these technologies should start at high school level, as it is at this stage where learners are equipped for tertiary education and the business world. This study seeks to answer how much ICT is used at the average school in Port Elizabeth and how effective such use is. South Africa is one of the countries in the whole world that is still behind in using the new technology. Learners from high school still enter university with no knowledge of how to use a computer. This becomes a problem in the world of technology as almost everything is done using technology. It also becomes a big problem when learners look for jobs in the business world. An active learning theory has been used on the study because, if learners can learn and have access computer at school, life will be easy for both learners and teachers, there would be co-operation and discussion and the fast way of doing school work. For the purpose of the study a qualitative research method has been used to ensure that answers are received straight from, teachers and learners for evidence. It is therefore clear that there are schools in South Africa that still needs the attention of the government in terms of getting access to computers and to have professional teachers for teaching the subject. The government has a responsibility of making sure that all learners and teachers in high schools have access to computers and internet. This will improve the working and learning conditions of both parties involved.

The primary goal of the research is to investigate the extent of ICT adoption in secondary schools within the larger Port Elizabeth area. In order to demonstrate the current status, two geographical areas within that area namely privileged and less privileged areas will be selected and surveyed. The main objective of this research study is to survey the access to ICT services by learners and teachers living and working in less privileged communities compared with that of learners and teachers in the more privileged communities of Port Elizabeth. At present all the schools in these communities are funded by the same provincial government, but the extent of the digital divide is not known. This research will investigate the factors that lead to the inequalities in the access to ICT among secondary school learners and teachers. This research has the following sub goals and objectives: 1. To identify the factors that impact on the status of access to ICT services; 2. To determine which socio-economic factors contribute to the status of access to ICT services in the specific areas; 3. To determine the status of access to ICT services in specific communities within the larger Port Elizabeth area; 4. To determine whether the level of access differs between secondary schools and the homes of teachers and learners in the identified areas.

This study investigated the access to learner support services by Unisa‟s ABET students in the Department of Adult Education in one of the rural provinces in South Africa. Specifically, a survey using questionnaire and focus group interview was carried out to determine the access gaps in to the learner support services by Unisa‟s adult students. A literature study preceded the empirical study to fully comprehend the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of the role of learner support in bridging the transactional distance between students on the one hand and the institution on the other hand. In the empirical study phase, a questionnaire was administered to 150 ABET Students in one province in South Africa through the stratified sampling technique and one focus group interview comprising 10 students who access support services at one of the regional offices to assess the importance they attach to the support services that are offered at the regional centres and the extent to which they are able to access them. The focus group interview comprised questions on the students‟ understanding of learner support services and their experiences in accessing them. Moore‟s theory of transactional distance was used as the theoretical base for the study. Out of a total of the 150 questionnaires that were distributed, 117 were the usable representing 78.0% response rate. One of the conclusions drawn from this study is that, although Unisa has most of the learner support services in place but for various reasons, a lot of the students are not able to access the support services as expected as the needs gap for almost all the support services were high. The chi-square tests found significant differences (p is less than 0.05) between the students on the extent to which they are able to access the support services. An integrated learner support framework was suggested for Unisa and other distance providing institutions to address the access gaps adult students‟ encounter in their studies.

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the Master of Information and Communications Technology Degree, Faculty of Accounting and Informatics, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016 / The need to utilize English in daily International communications within broad settings, such as business and academia, is accelerated by Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) and internationalisation. Internationalisation introduces the increased need (through ICT) to communicate through a common language (global language) and English has evolved into such a ‘global language’. There is evidence in the literature indicating that teachers assume that students have the educated ‘guessing skill’ in the ability to read and write efficiently in English. Literature further proves that limited ESL proficiency is still a major drawback for the efficient and effective use of English as a medium of instruction both in academe and in other industries. Therefore, the current study postulates that interventions such as perceived educational themed computer game playing could facilitate English vocabulary improvement; an approach believed to be more appealing to the students of this ICT-dominated world than traditional rote learning. As a result, students of the Internet age more receptive towards vocabulary conveyed through ICT tools, as opposed to traditional printed texts. The focus of this study was on the utilization of an ICT tool in the form of a computer game in supplementing teaching and learning of English vocabularies. This quasi-experimental mixed methods’ research used seven research instruments that incorporated both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. This research attempted to investigate the effectiveness of a selected computer game on English vocabulary improvement using engineering students (participants) that served as either the control or experimental groups. Data analysis tests, such as Wilcoxon Signed Ranks, Chi-Square and Paired Samples T-Test assisted in analysing the data collected for this study. The significant findings of this study indicate that the study’s selected computer game was easy to use and useful, because there were improvements in English vocabulary amongst participants resulting from the game. Further lessons learned from this study confirm that ICT relevant tools (such as this study’s computer game), do complement teaching and learning. These findings also align with the study’s theoretical framework by indicating that perceived ease of use and usefulness of the study’s selected computer game have an influence towards English vocabulary improvement. / M

There is a paramount need for online university education to effectively contribute in the development of students' ability to construct and create new knowledge. Online learning should thus go beyond the production of knowledge for knowledge's sake, but should result in relevant and meaningful learning on the part of the online learner. In addition, online learning ought to result in the application of knowledge to practice. While gains made by constructivism and observational learning are well documented, research addressing online media blends that best encourage constructivist and observational learning in open and distance and e-learning (ODeL) contexts is limited. In addition, guidelines that can be used by online learning facilitators and policy makers regarding media for constructivist and observational learning were lacking when this research was conducted. The research was deemed significant in contributing to the development of an online learning framework that could be used to guide policy formulation and practice in the area of online course implementation in ODeL institutions. Using an explorative qualitative approach, this study explored online media blends for constructivist and observational learning. The study comprised three phases. The first phase was a meta-ethnography study whose objective was to synthesise previous research theses in order to gain an understanding of lecturers' and students' experiences of online media, constructivism and observational learning. The second phase consisted of a phenomenological study conducted at the University of South Africa, to explore lecturers' experiences of online media in the facilitation of constructivism and observational learning. The final phase of the research was the development of a framework based on constructivism and observational learning to guide online teaching and learning. The findings of this research study revealed that lecturers did not use media blends to a large extent in their interaction with students. The study indicated that some cognitive processes need to be exercised on the part of the facilitators when online learning is offered. It is concluded that during the curriculum planning phase, lecturers should decide on methods and media to arouse the students' attention during online courses. This also implies a more reasonable lecturer­ student ratio because large numbers of students per lecturer is not feasible in online learning. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

Text in Afrikaans / Die Suid-Afrikaanse Nasionale Weermag (SANW) beskou effektiewe opleiding as 'n noodsaaklike voorvereiste vir paraatheid. Instruksionele ontwerp - 'n benadering wat uit onderrigtegnologie ontwikkel het - word gebruik om nuwe kursusse daar te stel wat effektiewe 'n instruksionele ontwerpprojek uitgevoer behoort teword. Die fokus van die studie het vervolgens verskuif na die talle veranderinge wat sedert die ontstaan van die SANW op 26 April 1994, na die eerste ten voile demokratiese verkiesing in die Republiek van Suid-Afrika. ingetree het. In vergelyking met sy voorganger het die SANW nuwe en meer uitgebreide sekondere rolle, wat hoer eise aan opleiding stel en evaluering ook meer kompleks maak. Dit bevestig inderdaad die behoefte aan 'n evalueringstelsel wat volgens sisteembeginsels bedryf word. Teen die agtergrond van die voorgaande is oorgegaan tot die ontwerp van 'n oorkoepelende instruksionele evalueringsisteem vir die SANW. Aangesien die suksesvolle implementering en funksionering van die sisteem grootliks beinvloed sal word deur die wyse waarop die instruksionele evalueerder sy taak volvoer, is daar ten slotte ook aandag geskenk aan die ontwerp van 'n instruksionele evalueerderskursus. opleiding moontlik maak. Om effektiwiteit te beoordeel, word evaluering vereis en derhalwe behoort instruksionele evaluering 'n integrale komponent van die instruksionele ontwerpgebeure te vorm. Die SANW beskik nog nie oor toereikende kundigheid om hierdie komponent tot sy reg te laat kom nie en die doel van die studie was om hierdie leemte aan te vul. Daar is eerstens gepoog om, deur middel van 'n literatuurstudie, die didakties-wetenskaplike basis te bepaal waarop evaluering binne 'n sisteembenadering tot opleiding behoort te berus. Daarna is die aard en rol van instruksionele evaluering in die instruksionele ontwerpsisteem binne 'n militere opleidingsmilieu verken, ten einde te kon bepaal wat die funksies van instruksionele evaluering behels en welke evalueringstake in die verskillende fases van 'n instruksionele ontwerpprojek uitgevoer behoort te word. Die fokus van die studie het vervolgens verskuif na die talle veranderinge wat sedert die ontstaan van die SANW op 26 April 1994, na die eerste ten volle demokratiese verkiesing in die Republiek van Suid-Afrika, ingetree het. In vergelyking met sy voorganger het die SANW nuwe en meer uitgebreide sekondere rolle, wat hoer eise aan opleiding stel en evaluering ook meer kompleks maak. Dit bevestig inderdaad die behoefte aan 'n evalueringstelsel wat volgens sisteembeginsels bedryf word. Teen die agtergrond van die voorgaande is oorgegaan tot die ontwerp van 'n oorkoepelende instruksionele evalueringsisteem vir die SANW. Aangesien die suksesvolle implementering en funksionering van die sisteem grootliks beinvloed sal word deur die wyse waarop die instruksionele evalueerder sy taak volvoer, is daar ten slotte ook aandag geskenk aan die ontwerp van 'n instruksionele evalueerderskursus. / The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) regards effective training as an essential prerequisite for preparedness. Instructional design - an approach that has developed from instructional technology - is used to establish new courses that facilitate effective training. Evaluation is essential for assessing effectiveness and therefore instructional evaluation should form an integral part of the learning events. The SANDF does not as yet have the expertise to do justice to this component, and the aim of this study was to fill this gap. Firstly, it was attempted to determine, by means of a literature study, the didactic scientific foundation on which evaluation within a systems approach towards training should rest. The nature and role of instructional evaluation in the instructional design system within a military training milieu was subsequently investigated. This was done to determine what the functions of instructional evaluation comprise and what evaluation tasks should be carried out in the different phases of an instructional design project. The focus of the study then shifted to the numerous changes that took place since the inception of the SANDF on 26 April 1994, after the first democratic election in the Republic of South Africa. Compared to its predecessor the SANDF has new and more extensive secondary roles that demand higher standards of training and make evaluation a more complicated task This indeed confirms the need for an evaluation system that is practised according to system principles. Against the background of the afore-mentioned, the design of an overall instructional evaluation system for the SANDF was proceeded with. As the successful implementation and functioning of the system is, to a large extent, influenced by the way in which the instructional evaluator carries out this task, attention was finally given to the design of a course for instructional evaluators. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Didaktiek)