The purpose of this study was to adapt and validate the Technology Attitude Scale (TAS) for use by American teachers at the middle school level. The study provided an instrument for American middle school teachers to determine students' attitudes toward technology and concepts of technology. The Technology Attitude Scale (TAS) , an adaptation of a Dutch instrument consisting of three sections, was used to collect descriptive information. The first section of the instrument obtained demographic information about the respondents including: (1) age (2) grade level (3) gender (4) school location (rural, urban) (5) respondents involvement with technology education. The second section obtained information about students' attitudes toward technology. There were 26 items divided over 6 subscales, (interest, role pattern, consequences, difficulty, curriculum, and career). Students responded by using a five choice Likert-type scale with 3 to 5 items per subscale. The third section obtained information about the students' concept of technology, measuring cognitive or knowledge aspects based on 5 generally accepted characteristics of the concept technology. There were 28 items divided over 4 subscales, (technology and society, technology and science, technology and skills, and technology and pillars). Content validity was determined through a Panel of Experts consisting of five individuals with expertise in middle school education. The study population included five middle schools in Virginia. It consisted of a Pilot Study (N = 48) and a Large Group Administration (N =185). Statistical analysis included reliability measures using Cronbach's homogeneity coefficient alpha (Attitude Scales) and KuderRichardson 20 (Concept Scales) with attention to demographic information. Both the Attitude Scales (overall correlation .81) and the Concept Scales (overall correlation .83) met the minimum criterion (.60). The Technology Attitude Scale (TAS) has been adapted and validated for use by American teachers at the middle school level. / Ph. D.

The purpose of this study was to determine the technology skills that principals perceived as essential for newly hired teachers. The study used a mailed survey to explore three technology constructs in order to determine which skills principals deemed important, how they evaluated those skills after teachers were hired, and which technology skills principals felt colleges of education should be teaching prospective teachers. The technology constructs examined were basic computer and technology operations and concepts, the personal and professional use of technology, and the application of technology in instruction. The study also examined whether principals who perceived themselves as technologically advanced also preferred to hire teachers at a similar level of expertise and whether principals who took the Florida Educational Leadership Examination, which included a technology domain, preferred teachers who were talented in the uses of technology. The findings of the study revealed that most principals, regardless of their own level of expertise or whether or not they took the FELE, are very aware of the instructional benefits of technology and that they perceive the basic, professional, and instructional uses of technology to be essential skills for teachers to possess.

By and large, contemporary design models do little more than acknowledge the art and science of media development, and instead, place inordinate emphasis on media selection. While many texts on instructional design will discuss, in general terms, the circumstances under which media needs to be developed, their primary focus is on the selection and customization (e.g., repurposing videodiscs} of extant materials that support previously adopted goals, objectives, and instructional strategies. Although contemporary instructional design models do acknowledge computer-assisted instruction in general terms as part of the media selection and development processes, they fail to address specifically the development issues confronted when digital video is selected as an integral component of computer-based applications. Practitioners wishing to develop their own instructional materials (particularly those which incorporate digital video) are provided few specific details for creating those products in the context of a systems approach to instructional development. This study examined the essential design tasks involved in incorporating digital video into computer-based applications. The strategy adopted for this study consisted of the following: 1) The author produced a computer-based application for The Museum of Natural History at Virginia Tech that integrated both digital motion-video sequences and still-image graphics; 2) Each of the development “steps” made by the author was preserved through a set of design notes as well as videotaped records of designer and participant comments; 3) The design notes and videotaped records were subjected to qualitative analyses borrowed from standard ethnographic research procedures; 4) Subsequent considerations for integrating digital video into computer-based applications were abstracted from the analyses and presented as practical guidelines for practitioner-developers pursuing media development. A “traditional” model of instructional design was also modified to reflect state-of-the-art media development strategies. The model illustrates the general procedure of media development and places it in the context of a larger, systems approach to instructional design. The development steps include defining the product, conducting research, brainstorming ideas, generating design solutions, developing the prototype, testing the prototype, and developing the end-product. The model also illustrated (by way of example) the creation of the computer-based application developed for The Virginia Museum of Natural History at Virginia Tech. / Ph. D.

Thesis (M. Tech. (Information Technology)) -- Central University of technology, Free State, 2013 / This study compared the usability of three Information and Communication Technology (ICT) network programs in a learning environment. The researcher wanted to establish which program was most adequate from a usability perspective among second-year Information Technology (IT) students at the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State. The Software Usability Measurement Inventory (SUMI) testing technique can measure software quality from a user perspective. The technique is supported by an extensive reference database to measure a software product’s quality in use and is embedded in an effective analysis and reporting tool called SUMI scorer (SUMISCO). SUMI was applied in a controlled laboratory environment where second-year IT students of the CUT, utilized SUMI as part of their networking subject, System Software 1 (SPG1), to evaluate each of the three ICT network programs. The results, strengths and weaknesses, as well as usability improvements, as identified by SUMISCO, are discussed to determine the best ICT network program from a usability perspective according to SPG1 students.

The introduction of e-learning made way for advancements in learning and technology with individuals being exposed to electronic learning and teaching environments. At first, the introduction of e-learning into the educational sphere was intended to simply enhance traditional teaching and learning; however, technology then took the lead as a tool to materially enhance the concept of e-learning in education. Inevitably, technology’s impact on learning drove the delivery of electronic educational content but it also caused widespread debate about best practice in the design of e-learning systems. Since then, the phenomenal influx of technology enhancements that has been created has led most learners into a digital education era that cannot now function without it. At first, e-learning systems were forced to adapt to change as a result of e-learning trends and as a symbolic move from traditional learning to more innovative methods of learning and teaching. As such, e-learning remained affected by pedagogy, technology and curriculum changes outside of a structured, guided framework. Varying definitions exist as a result of the diverse understanding of the contributions and role of pedagogy and technology toward e-learning. There is a misconception and confusion of elearning attributed to the lack of a formally accepted definition which would identify with the need for pedagogy principles and guide researchers to apply models and frameworks to implement and improve the provision of e-learning systems. Although the effects of technology on learning are conclusive, the current dilemma is the lack of effective alignment of the pedagogy principles to suitable technology – an issue which has now become detrimental to learning. This study explores the various interpretations of e-learning definitions that allude to the incorporation of learning, technology and knowledge gained during e-learning interventions. However, as the research revealed a lack of any cohesive e-learning definition, this motivated the creation of a specific definition derived particularly for this study. In considering the role of technology in the e-learning environment, similar themes began to emerge that needed to be addressed holistically through e-learning. One of these themes was a need to focus on the formulation of a structured approach and pedagogical framework for the design and development of e-learning systems. The findings of the research identified e-learning frameworks and models that were in use. The outcome of an e-learning system framework drew on the research of extant models and frameworks and investigated the critical elements, particularly that of pedagogy in an e-learning environment. The proposed pedagogical framework for elearning was evaluated by means of a survey of organisations that produce e-learning systems. The findings of the survey were analysed to assess the alignment and relevance of the dimensions and elements in the framework to the design and development of e-learning systems. The proposed pedagogical e-learning framework is intended to add value to the design and development of e-learning systems with the core focus on pedagogy. In years to come, current and existing technologies and tools may become outdated, yet learning opportunities continue to evolve based on pedagogy, technology and curriculum requirements. By harmonising the synergy between pedagogy and technology, a pedagogically aligned e-learning framework can resolve the lack of pedagogy in elearning system design and development. / Information Science / M.Sc. (Information Systems)

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the Master of Technology Degree in Information Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015. / One of the fundamental characteristics of technology is its ever-changing nature with the continuous release of new models and products almost on a daily basis. It is interesting to note that these new technologies seem to appeal more to the youth than to the old. This might explain why the content of some Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), such as films, TV, and games, are sometimes released with well-defined age ratings, in order to provide guidance to parents and guardians on the suitability of such content for their children. What is surprising is that there are age restrictions for the content presented by ICT devices, but devices themselves do not have any defined age restriction. For example, movies which can be played on computers, have a well-defined age restriction; but computers themselves do not have any defined age restriction. This non-definition of age ratings for ICT devices is certainly a general concern, but it is also a major concern for the education domain which needs to determine the minimum age from which learners should be allowed to use ICTs at school. This problem of the non-definition of age ratings for ICT devices serves as a motivation for this study, whose aim is to determine the factors affecting educators’ perceptions on the age from which learners should be allowed to use ICTs at school. The research objectives unfolding from this aim are: i) To select appropriate theories and models on the factors affecting educators’ perceptions on the age from which learners should be allowed to use ICTs at school; ii) To design a conceptual model of the factors affecting educators’ perceptions on the age from which learners should be allowed to use ICTs at school; iii To empirically test the above conceptual model of the factors affecting educators’perceptions on the age from which learners should be allowed to use ICTs at school; and iv) To make recommendations on the design of eLearning initiatives in schools based on the results of the current study. These four objectives were achieved as follows through the content analysis of existing literature and a survey of 70 primary and secondary school educators from the Camperdown magisterial district in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa: i) Specific personality and child development theories were selected as the theoretical foundation of this study; ii) The conceptual model proposed in this study gave rise to the following hypotheses: The demographics of an educator affect the full functionality, the health, and the self-actualisation of his or her personality as well as his or her perceptions on the age from which learners should be allowed to start using ICTs at school. The full functionality, the health, and the self-actualisation of the personality of an educator all affect his or her perceptions on the age from which learners should be allowed to start using ICTs at school; iii) The empirical testing of the above hypothesized model yielded the following results: the grade or class taught by an educator is the only demographic factor that affects the full functionality, the health, and the self-actualisation of his or her personality; the subject specialisation of an educator is the only demographic variable that affects his or her perceptions on the age from which learners should be allowed to start using ICTs at school; the full functionality, the health, and the self-actualisation of the personality of an educator all affect his or her perceptions on the age from which learners should be allowed to start using ICTs at school; and iv) One of the recommendation of this study is that eLearning pilot projects be designed in ways that clearly consider differences between educators from various subject specialisations. This study identified the need for more research on the effect of personality on the perceptions of educators on the age from which learners should be allowed to start using ICTs, not only at school as it is the case for this study, but also at home. The main contribution of this research is to have found that educators’ personality has an effect on their perceptions on the age from which learners should be allowed to start using ICTs at school, compared to the literature reviewed by this study which seems to be silent on the relationship between the personality of educators and the determination of the age when learners should be allowed to start using ICTs at school.

Thesis (DPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis presents the findings and conclusions of the function of research in the technikons’ journey from apprenticeship training to technological degrees. The analysis and interpretation of primary sources on the development of technical higher education and research revealed that research developments at technikons evolved in a pattern so closely resembling and reflecting an evolving technical education mission that it is difficult if not impossible to pinpoint cause and effect. The evolving technical education mission was characterised by diversity entrenched in the provision of technical education, a continuing problematic process of differentiation between vocational and technical education, the development of formal centrally-controlled technical higher education and continuous differences between the Education Department and the sector officials on the nature of the technical higher qualifications and the role of research in these qualifications. As a result of the factors characterising the development of technical higher education, gaps were created between the technikon officials’ vision of research at technikons, the strategies and plans to establish a research culture and the technikons’ research performance. In addition, an evaluation of technikon research performance in terms of the nature, scope, content and volume of research reflects a limited understanding of the relation between the input factors and the process factors utilised to lead to a system capable of sustaining a research culture, especially in view of maintaining the newly-assigned University status. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie dissertasie handel oor die bevindinge en slotsom ten opsigte van die funksie van navorsing in die technikons se reis van vakleerlingskapopleiding tot die aanbied van tegnologiese grade. Die analise en interpretasie van primêre bronne wat handel oor die ontwikkeling van hoër tegniese onderwys en navorsing het bewys dat navorsingontwikkeling by technikons op ‘n manier ontwikkel het dat dit die evolusie van die tegniese onderwysmissie streng navolg en reflekteer. Dit maak dit moeilik, indien nie onmoontlik nie, om die oorsaak en gevolg vas te stel. Die evolusie van die tegniese onderwysmissie is gekenmerk deur diversiteit wat ingebed is in die voorsiening van tegniese onderwys, ‘n voortdurende problematiese proses van differensiasie tussen beroeps- en tegniese onderwys, die ontwikkeling van formele sentraalbeheerde hoër tegniese onderwys en voortdurende verskille tussen die Department van Onderwys en die sektorbeamptes oor die aard van die hoër tegniese kwalifikasies en die rol van navorsing in hierdie kwalifikasies. As gevolg van die faktore wat die ontwikkeling van hoër tegniese onderwys gespeel het, het gapings ontstaan tussen die technikonbeamptes se visie van navorsing aan technikons, die strategieë en planne wat ontwikkel is om ‘n navorsingskultuur te vestig en die technikons se navorsingsuitsette. Saam daarmee het ‘n evaluasie van technikonnavorsingprestasie in terme van die aard, omvang, inhoud en volume ‘n beperkte begrip van die verhouding tussen insetfaktore en die prosesfaktore wat gebruik word om tot ‘n sisteem te lei wat daartoe in staat is om ‘n navorsingskultuur te onderhou, gereflekteer, veral met die doel om die nuuttoegekende universiteitstatus te onderhou.

Thesis (PhD (Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Human Nutrition))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / Various enabling factors are required to incorporate technology in teaching and learning, moving towards a more learner-centred approach. Although efforts are being made to address the situation, the effective incorporation of ICT is not yet the norm in African higher education institutions (HEI). Data is available regarding the situation in African HEI, but very little is known about the situation of nutrition training. This research programme was divided into three phases. Phase I, assessment of the current use, awareness, attitudes and practices of ICT in nutrition training followed a descriptive, cross-sectional approach. A convenience sample of six HEI in South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe was included. Data were collected from students (N = 591) and lecturing staff (N = 29) in nutrition-related courses using a questionnaire on ICT awareness, attitude and practices. Phase II, development and validation of a purpose-designed e-learning nutrition module followed a descriptive, cross-sectional approach. An e-learning module on Nutrition and HIV/AIDS with eleven sub-modules was developed, using an e-learning platform taking the specific constraints of developing countries into account. It was validated by expert reviewers (N = 27) for content validity and students (N = 175) for face validity. Phase III, to determine the impact of the module on cognitive knowledge followed an experimental before-after approach and used a set of twenty True/False questions for eight of the sub-modules (N = 173). Although there is widespread accessibility to computers, less so to the internet, in nutrition-related courses at Southern African HEI, respondents still felt that more computers should be made available. Computers are not fast enough and lack of finances is the main barrier to home and internet access. Students rate their ICT skills as average to good. Institutional ICT policies and support seem to be lacking, but their attitude to ICT is positive and supportive. Respondents felt that ICT could add a new dimension to nutrition training and are in favour of application of ICT in different modes. Most indicate that the current use of ICT in nutrition training is inadequate. The Nutrition in HIV/AIDS module was validated and found to be useful as an educational tool, being user-friendly, interactive and self-paced. The majority of students reported that their ICT skills were sufficient to complete the e-learning activity. Although generally rated as at least as effective, or more effective than conventional lectures, clearly this mode of elearning should not replace traditional teaching. The content was found to be comprehensive and evidence-based. The depth of the content was sufficient, the level correct for undergraduates and the material relevant to the Southern African context. The interactivity was deemed important, helpful and effective. Most students indicated that they would recommend the Nutrition in HIV/AIDS module to other students, that they enjoyed the presentation and learnt something new. There was an improvement in knowledge scores and/or the number of questions being answered correctly in all but one sub-module. The results confirm previous studies indicating that well-designed elearning modules have the potential to increase the performance of students.

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Science in Information Technology in Education

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Science in Information Technology in Education