CD-ROM in pocket on back end paper. / Bibliography: leaves 240-270. / Systems requirements for accompanying CD-ROM: Macintosh or IBM compatible computer. Other requirements: Web Browser; Adobe Acrobat Reader; Microsoft Excel version 2.1 or higher. / ix, 270 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. + 1 computer optical disc (4 3/4 in.) / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Examines the possible conflict between the increasing use of information and communication technology and a higher education which contributes to social and ecological sustainability. Presents the argument that information and communication technology might be unable to support the dialogical modes of learning necessary for a sustainable higher education. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Geographical and Environmental Studies, 2000

This case study attempts to explain the implementation of Information Communications Technology (ICT) in primary schools, specifically mentioning the integration of computers into the curriculum. To begin with, the implementation of ICT from an international perspective is explored and subsequently some international and African ICT policies in education are also identified and discussed. Nationally, ICT policies from four provinces in South Africa are examined and analyzed. Provincially, the ICT Projects Coordinator in the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE) was interviewed to obtain a provincial perspective of ICT in the Eastern Cape. From local schools’ perspective, four primary schools and one secondary school in the Makana and Somerset East Districts were visited and the ICT coordinators at these schools were interviewed. The results reveal that the previously disadvantaged (PD) schools were not utilizing their computers effectively. This is due to a number of factors, including a lack of funds to maintain the computers; unskilled or under skilled teachers in ICT; and under resourced computer facilities. The previously advantaged (PA) schools, on the other hand, have well-resourced computer laboratories, adequate maintenance plans as well as skilled teachers in ICT that enable these schools to effectively integrate the use of computers into the curriculum. Key words: Information communications technology, implementation, integration, previously advantaged, previously disadvantaged, curriculum, primary school, secondary school.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are capable of expanding access to quality education, educational resources, and also provide teachers with new skills. Nevertheless, a majority of rural public schools have limited ICTs, mainly due to geographical landscape, lack of service delivery and poverty. As a result, they currently seem not to be adequately benefiting from current advancements in ICTs. The main objective of this research study was to investigate an appropriate broadband services delivery model using wireless access technologies, such as a Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) and Enhanced data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) to deliver electronic-based educational information to resource-constrained public high schools. An exploratory case study approach was adopted to identify and understand the challenges faced by rural schools in the Greater Tubatse Municipality (GTM), including educational services and content considered by the schools as relevant and useful. The research results indicate that resource-constrained schools in the GTM are facing challenges of lack of access to electronic educational information and services, and as a result, teaching and learning becomes limiting and challenging. Based on the research findings, the results show that having access to learning material via electronic platforms could afford educators and learners the opportunity to interact with the outside world, improve learning and teaching and benefit the community as a whole. The broadband services delivery conceptual model (BSDCM) was proposed, developed and evaluated to address the lack of electronic educational information and services for resource-constrained public high schools. The BSDCM is composed of both technical and non-technical components that consider requirements of all role players, ICT challenges, policy makers and Information Communication Technology for Education (ICT4ED) interventions. The proposed model addressed some of the challenges regarding lack of access to educational content. However, it is recommended that the ICT4ED policies governing the use of mobile devices in the classrooms be introduced by the relevant authorities. In addition, a comparative analysis of other network technologies should be conducted to establish if the TCP/IP header compression on Point to Point Protocol (PPP) improves the performance of the network in resource-constrained environments. Furthermore, it is recommended that further research and experiments be conducted to determine if other various third party content providers could create and deploy various educational services and content for different computing platforms using the proposed BSDCM. / School of Computing / M. Tech (Information Technology)

This study develops and applies a conceptual framework that can be used to evaluate dynamic Web platforms in order to determine a platform for teaching Web application development in tertiary institutions. The framework is specific, yet comprehensive and supported with theory and empirical experimental programming results. We first identify the concepts of Web application development and the constraints to be satisfied by a platform for teaching identified concepts. Then we establish various criteria that will enhance the teaching of the concepts. We also establish qualities and experiment that will ensure that a selected platform is easy to use, fast, portable and affordable. A spreadsheet tool is developed to apply the framework and enable users to customize the framework by varying the criteria's weights. The developed framework is tested by the evaluation of the suitability of Java Servlets, JSP, ASP and PHP with PHP emerging as a suitable platform. / Computing / M.Sc. (Information Systems)

Several technologies and languages exist for the development and implementation of distributed systems. Furthermore, several models for teaching computer programming and teaching programming in a distance-based educational environment exist. Limited literature, however, is available on models for teaching distributed computing in a distance-based educational environment. The focus of this study is to examine how distributed computing should be taught in a distance-based educational environment so as to ensure effective and quality learning for students. The required effectiveness and quality should be comparable to those for students exposed to laboratories, as commonly found in residential universities. This leads to an investigation of the factors that contribute to the success of teaching distributed computing and how these factors can be integrated into a distance-based teaching model. The study consisted of a literature study, followed by a comparative study of available tools to aid in the learning and teaching of distributed computing in a distance-based educational environment. A model to accomplish this teaching and learning is then proposed and implemented. The findings of the study highlight the requirements and challenges that a student of distributed computing in a distance-based educational environment faces and emphasises how the proposed model can address these challenges. This study employed qualitative research, as opposed to quantitative research, as qualitative research methods are designed to help researchers to understand people and the social and cultural contexts within which they live. The research methods employed are design research, since an artefact is created, and a case study, since “how” and “why” questions need to be answered. Data collection was done through a survey. Each method was evaluated via its own well-established evaluation methods, since evaluation is a crucial component of the research process. / Computing / M. Sc. (Computer Science)

Distance education has by nature always depended on technology as a vehicle for various media used to facilitate learning. Today as technology has taken centre stage in our lives especially Internet-based technology, distance education continues to grow in its use of state-of-the-art tools and hence the need to effectively adopt these online tools for online education remains inevitable. This study presents an evaluation of the usability of social media blends in e-learning environments. Comprehensive guidelines for improving the usability of social media blends are proposed in order to facilitate learner networks where knowledge can be created that is based on the leaners’ experiences and their peer connections. In this meta-analysis study literature was searched to identify qualitative research articles that discuss social media blends most commonly used in e-learning. The search was done on South African and international academic databases which included SAe-Publications, EbscoHost, ProQuest and Google Scholar, among others. The metadata analysis was conducted following the online collaborative learning theory as a conceptual framework and the findings agreed with previous studies that the use of social media blends still lacks important empirical data. This study recommends a set of phases in designing curriculum for social media use in e-learning. The proposed guidelines should be useful to instructional designers interested in using modern learning theories in e-learning. Since African qualitative research could not be found, further work in this field could involve qualitative studies on the use of e-learning in African institutions. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Open and Distance Learning)

Acompanha: Formação continuada de professores: ensino de ciências interdisciplinar na perspectiva histórico-crítica; Uma proposta para o ensino de ciências interdisciplinar na perspectiva histórico-crítica com o uso da WebQuest / A presente pesquisa é delineada na formação continuada de professores da Educação Básica, anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental do município de Londrina/PR, tendo por princípio dimensões acentuadas quanto aos benefícios do trabalho interdisciplinar no Ensino de Ciências na perspectiva Histórico-Crítica, com uso da WebQuest. Para este estudo, foi necessária uma orientação entre os docentes, apresentando um referencial teórico, que elenca a formação de professores na visão de Nóvoa (2009); Veiga (2002); a Pedagogia Histórico-Crítica, na perspectiva de Saviani (1983; 2008); Gasparin (2012); e a Sequência Didática Interativa embasada em Oliveira (2013), com o intuito de contribuir para o planejamento de suas ações em sala de aula, a oferecer uma sistematização do conteúdo a ser pedagogicamente trabalhado. O trabalho visa investigar e implementar recursos e estratégias para o Ensino de Ciência interdisciplinar, proporcionando subsídios para a elaboração de um planejamento de aula, conforme aporte teórico metodológico da Pedagogia Histórico-Crítica . A relevância deste estudo é oferecer um Ensino de Ciências interdisciplinar mediante uma nova estratégia educacional com uso de recursos didáticos. A principal questão de pesquisa foi investigar como um curso em Ensino de Ciências interdisciplinar, mediante o uso da WebQuest, poderá contribuir para a formação continuada dos professores participantes da pesquisa tendo por base o aporte teórico-metodológico da Pedagogia Histórico-Crítica? Para tanto, foi desenvolvido um curso “Ensino de Ciências interdisciplinar na perspectiva Histórico-Crítica” com a análise realizada pelos professores de uma Sequência Didática Interativa SDI (elaborada pela pesquisadora), levando em consideração suas experiências didáticas e conhecimentos sobre a temática. De abordagem qualitativa, o trabalho foi desenvolvido por meio da pesquisa de campo conforme Bogdan e Biklen (1994). Para a organização e leitura interpretativa dos dados, utilizou-se a análise de conteúdo de Bardin (2011), a qual revelou, em síntese, meio aos resultados, a mudança de postura, o aprimoramento frente ao conteúdo encaminhado, exploração e interesse desses docentes quanto à elaboração de uma sequência de planejamentos de aula fundamentado na Pedagogia Histórico-Crítica em uma perspectiva interdisciplinar. Por meio dessa investigação, verificou-se que a proposta de formação continuada de professores, demonstrou-se apropriada, satisfatória e teve seus objetivos atingidos ao proporcionar subsídios para a prática pedagógica, norteada pelo planejamento didático que relaciona teoria e prática, com reflexões que permitiram a análise das experiências didáticas, para uma projeção de novas maneiras de atuarem em sala de aula, associada ao uso da nova tecnologia a WebQuest. Constatou-se que o planejamento de aula, no Ensino de Ciências Interdisciplinar em uma perspectiva Histórico-Crítica, contribuiu para o processo de organização do trabalho pedagógico, permitindo a flexibilidade da prática educativa e ainda a valorização da singularidade dos alunos, sendo possível a articulação, elaboração de estratégias e procedimentos pedagógicos, a fim de promover o enriquecimento curricular no sistema educacional e, por conseguinte, a melhoria da qualidade do processo de ensino e aprendizagem. / The present research is outlined in the continuing education of Basic Education teachers, initial years of Elementary School in the city of Londrina / PR, having in principle dimensions in terms of the benefits of interdisciplinary work in Science Teaching in the Historical-Critical perspective, using the WebQuest. For this study, it was necessary a orientation among the teachers, presenting a theoretical reference, which lists the teacher formation in the view of Nóvoa (2009); Veiga (2002); the Historical-Critical Pedagogy from the perspective of Saviani (1983; 2008); Gasparin (2012); and the Interactive Didactic Sequence based in Oliveira (2013) with the intention of contributing to the planning of their actions in the classroom, to offer a systematization of the content to be pedagogically worked. The paper aims to investigate and implement resources and strategies for the teaching of interdisciplinary Science, providing subsidies for the elaboration of a lesson planning, according to the theoretical methodological contribution of Historical-Critical Pedagogy. The relevance of this study is to offer an interdisciplinary Science Teaching through a new educational strategy with the use of didactic resources. The main research question was to investigate how an interdisciplinary Science Teaching course, through the use of WebQuest, could contribute to the continued formation of the participating teachers, based on the theoretical-methodological contribution of Historical-Critical Pedagogy. For this, a course called "Interdisciplinary Science Teaching in Historical-Critical Perspective" was developed with the analysis carried out by the teachers of an Interactive Didactic Sequence IDS (elaborated by the researcher), taking into account their didactic experiences and knowledge about the subject. From a qualitative approach, the paper was developed through the field research as Bogdan and Biklen (1994). For the organization and interpretive reading of the data, was used the content analysis of Bardin (2011), which revealed, in synthesis, among to the results, the change of posture, the improvement of the content forwarded, the exploration and interest of these teachers as to the elaboration of a sequence of lesson plans based on Historical-Critical Pedagogy in an interdisciplinary perspective. Through this research, it was verified that the proposal of continuing teacher training, proved to be appropriate, satisfactory and had its objectives reached by providing subsidies for pedagogical practice, guided by didactic planning that relates theory and practice, with reflections that allowed the analysis of didactic experiences, for a projection of new ways of acting in the classroom, associated with the use of the new technology to WebQuest. It was verified that the planning of lessons, in the Interdisciplinary Sciences Teaching in a Historical-Critical perspective, contributed to the process of organization of a pedagogical work, allowing the flexibility of the educational practice and also the appreciation of the singularity of the students, being possible the articulation, elaboration of pedagogical strategies and procedures, in order to promote curricular enrichment in the educational system and, consequently, to improve the quality of the teaching and learning process.

Acompanha: Formação continuada de professores: ensino de ciências interdisciplinar na perspectiva histórico-crítica; Uma proposta para o ensino de ciências interdisciplinar na perspectiva histórico-crítica com o uso da WebQuest / A presente pesquisa é delineada na formação continuada de professores da Educação Básica, anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental do município de Londrina/PR, tendo por princípio dimensões acentuadas quanto aos benefícios do trabalho interdisciplinar no Ensino de Ciências na perspectiva Histórico-Crítica, com uso da WebQuest. Para este estudo, foi necessária uma orientação entre os docentes, apresentando um referencial teórico, que elenca a formação de professores na visão de Nóvoa (2009); Veiga (2002); a Pedagogia Histórico-Crítica, na perspectiva de Saviani (1983; 2008); Gasparin (2012); e a Sequência Didática Interativa embasada em Oliveira (2013), com o intuito de contribuir para o planejamento de suas ações em sala de aula, a oferecer uma sistematização do conteúdo a ser pedagogicamente trabalhado. O trabalho visa investigar e implementar recursos e estratégias para o Ensino de Ciência interdisciplinar, proporcionando subsídios para a elaboração de um planejamento de aula, conforme aporte teórico metodológico da Pedagogia Histórico-Crítica . A relevância deste estudo é oferecer um Ensino de Ciências interdisciplinar mediante uma nova estratégia educacional com uso de recursos didáticos. A principal questão de pesquisa foi investigar como um curso em Ensino de Ciências interdisciplinar, mediante o uso da WebQuest, poderá contribuir para a formação continuada dos professores participantes da pesquisa tendo por base o aporte teórico-metodológico da Pedagogia Histórico-Crítica? Para tanto, foi desenvolvido um curso “Ensino de Ciências interdisciplinar na perspectiva Histórico-Crítica” com a análise realizada pelos professores de uma Sequência Didática Interativa SDI (elaborada pela pesquisadora), levando em consideração suas experiências didáticas e conhecimentos sobre a temática. De abordagem qualitativa, o trabalho foi desenvolvido por meio da pesquisa de campo conforme Bogdan e Biklen (1994). Para a organização e leitura interpretativa dos dados, utilizou-se a análise de conteúdo de Bardin (2011), a qual revelou, em síntese, meio aos resultados, a mudança de postura, o aprimoramento frente ao conteúdo encaminhado, exploração e interesse desses docentes quanto à elaboração de uma sequência de planejamentos de aula fundamentado na Pedagogia Histórico-Crítica em uma perspectiva interdisciplinar. Por meio dessa investigação, verificou-se que a proposta de formação continuada de professores, demonstrou-se apropriada, satisfatória e teve seus objetivos atingidos ao proporcionar subsídios para a prática pedagógica, norteada pelo planejamento didático que relaciona teoria e prática, com reflexões que permitiram a análise das experiências didáticas, para uma projeção de novas maneiras de atuarem em sala de aula, associada ao uso da nova tecnologia a WebQuest. Constatou-se que o planejamento de aula, no Ensino de Ciências Interdisciplinar em uma perspectiva Histórico-Crítica, contribuiu para o processo de organização do trabalho pedagógico, permitindo a flexibilidade da prática educativa e ainda a valorização da singularidade dos alunos, sendo possível a articulação, elaboração de estratégias e procedimentos pedagógicos, a fim de promover o enriquecimento curricular no sistema educacional e, por conseguinte, a melhoria da qualidade do processo de ensino e aprendizagem. / The present research is outlined in the continuing education of Basic Education teachers, initial years of Elementary School in the city of Londrina / PR, having in principle dimensions in terms of the benefits of interdisciplinary work in Science Teaching in the Historical-Critical perspective, using the WebQuest. For this study, it was necessary a orientation among the teachers, presenting a theoretical reference, which lists the teacher formation in the view of Nóvoa (2009); Veiga (2002); the Historical-Critical Pedagogy from the perspective of Saviani (1983; 2008); Gasparin (2012); and the Interactive Didactic Sequence based in Oliveira (2013) with the intention of contributing to the planning of their actions in the classroom, to offer a systematization of the content to be pedagogically worked. The paper aims to investigate and implement resources and strategies for the teaching of interdisciplinary Science, providing subsidies for the elaboration of a lesson planning, according to the theoretical methodological contribution of Historical-Critical Pedagogy. The relevance of this study is to offer an interdisciplinary Science Teaching through a new educational strategy with the use of didactic resources. The main research question was to investigate how an interdisciplinary Science Teaching course, through the use of WebQuest, could contribute to the continued formation of the participating teachers, based on the theoretical-methodological contribution of Historical-Critical Pedagogy. For this, a course called "Interdisciplinary Science Teaching in Historical-Critical Perspective" was developed with the analysis carried out by the teachers of an Interactive Didactic Sequence IDS (elaborated by the researcher), taking into account their didactic experiences and knowledge about the subject. From a qualitative approach, the paper was developed through the field research as Bogdan and Biklen (1994). For the organization and interpretive reading of the data, was used the content analysis of Bardin (2011), which revealed, in synthesis, among to the results, the change of posture, the improvement of the content forwarded, the exploration and interest of these teachers as to the elaboration of a sequence of lesson plans based on Historical-Critical Pedagogy in an interdisciplinary perspective. Through this research, it was verified that the proposal of continuing teacher training, proved to be appropriate, satisfactory and had its objectives reached by providing subsidies for pedagogical practice, guided by didactic planning that relates theory and practice, with reflections that allowed the analysis of didactic experiences, for a projection of new ways of acting in the classroom, associated with the use of the new technology to WebQuest. It was verified that the planning of lessons, in the Interdisciplinary Sciences Teaching in a Historical-Critical perspective, contributed to the process of organization of a pedagogical work, allowing the flexibility of the educational practice and also the appreciation of the singularity of the students, being possible the articulation, elaboration of pedagogical strategies and procedures, in order to promote curricular enrichment in the educational system and, consequently, to improve the quality of the teaching and learning process.

At the University of Port Elizabeth (UPE), the End User Computing course (EUC) acts as a service course for many departments. This implies that many students are forced by their curricula to register for this course. The ever-increasing numbers in EUC place a considerable load on existing human and physical resources. In lecture groups of 120 –160, students rarely get the attention they need, and the pace at which the content is delivered (too slow or too fast) may also inhibit the learning process. During an initial investigation into E-learning at UPE in 1999, a prototype virtual classroom was developed. There were, however, a number of problems with this prototype. Firstly, it was implemented using a number of different technologies, which made it difficult to extend and maintain. Secondly, it only addressed some aspects of an E-learning environment, which proved insufficient for the EUC course. In the existing EUC course at UPE, the students are already exposed to some E-learning concepts, as a section of their skills training component is handled by using multimedia software in a simulated environment. The objective of this project was to extend the E-learning component further to determine the advantages and disadvantages of using E-learning to support information technology (IT) education in a contact-university environment. This project included a literature search and survey of existing E-learning environments at other universities. This research was used to develop a draft framework for an E-learning environment. The framework was used to select a tool to create an E-learning environment at UPE. An experiment was designed using this E-learning environment to support two IT courses at different year levels. The results of the experiment were analysed using qualitative and quantitative methods to determine the impact of using E-learning to support IT education at UPE. The results of this research show that E-learning can be used to support IT education at UPE. More success, however, was achieved at postgraduate level than at first-year level. Making use of Elearning increased student satisfaction and promoted active learning, while providing benefits like convenience, communication, flexibility and scaffolding. We conclude, therefore, that E-learning can provide a flexible approach to IT education in a university environment in the future.

M.Ed. (Information and Communication Technologies in Education) / The use of ICT at all levels in the schools has been shown to have a positive impact on teaching and learning, in particular of Mathematics. In South Africa, Dinaledi schools have been given ICT resources by the former Department of Education (South Africa) with the aim of improving Grade 12 results, particularly in Mathematics. This study aims to assess the use of ICT for learning in the selected Dinaledi School, with an additional focus on Mathematics learning in grade 8 to 12, and to provide guidelines for the use of ICT in the Dinaledi schools, and specifically to support Mathematics learning. The ‘mixed–method’ study comprised several sets of data, both quantitative and qualitative, using a sequential-mixed-method-explanatory design for the case of the selected Dinaledi School, Kone High School (Fictitious name), situated in the Limpopo Province, to determine how ICT resources are used in the teaching and learning, and also for Mathematics. In the quantitative phase, quantitative data was collected by means of structured questionnaires on the use of ICT from the principal, teachers and students. The University of Johannesburg’s STATKON unit analysed the data, and confirmed the latent theoretical constructs that were embedded in the questionnaire. To clarify the results, in the follow-up qualitative phase, the principal, teachers and students were interviewed on the use of computers. Other quantitative data were sourced from official end-of-year matric results. Both teachers and students pointed that the ICT resources were not sufficiently used in teaching and learning, in particular for Mathematics, although in contrast it appeared that the principal believed that the ICT resources were sufficiently used for teaching and learning. The study concluded that ICT was not an important driver of teaching and learning in this Dinaledi school and it did not play the role in teaching and learning at Kone High School, as is envisioned for Dinaledi schools.