This study is located at the interface of online learning within a context of English language studies and academic literacy and is underpinned, from a critical theoretical perspective, by an understanding of the implications of the digital divide for South Africa. The thesis includes an exploration of online learning, as mediated by information and communication technology (ICT), in an undergraduate English language and academic literacy classroom at a university in Johannesburg, South Africa. The study draws on research and theorising by Warschauer (2002a, 2002b, 2003), who argues for the need for technology in developing countries as a means of social inclusion. The aim is to explore the extent to which communities of practice (COPs) are enabled in an online environment, among English non-mother tongue speakers, who have minimal previous access to ICT. To achieve the aim the study examines the extent to which the learners participate, negotiate meaning, construct identities, and perceive themselves as autonomous in online spaces. This is a case study that explores asynchronous lCT practices such as the use of the Internet (Net), e-mail, and discussion threads in an online Web course management system. From a sociocultural perspective, and recognising that learning does not occur in isolation, the work of Lave and Wenger (1991, 1996,2002) is used to frame the study, concerned as it is with learning, technology and empowerment. Lave and Wenger (1991, 2002) locate learning as a form of interaction and co-participation, and argue that learning occurs within specific contexts or communities of practice. Thus they focus on how individuals become members of 'communities of practice'. The study suggests that practice and participation are underpinned, and to some extent determined, by the identities constructed by participants In the on line communities. Participants' ICT practices are examined from the perspective of literacy, in this case electronic literacy, as a social practice and New Literacy Studies, where the work of Gee (1996, 1997, 2000), Street (1984, 1993a, 1993b, 2003), Barton, Hamilton and lvanic (2000), and Lankshear and Knobel (1997, 2004) are drawn on to examine the use of technology. Constructions of identity are examined from Hall's (1992) post-structuralist view that old identities, which stabilised the social world as we knew it, are in decline, giving rise to new identities and fragmenting the modem individual as a unified subject. From observations, participant-interviews, questionnaires, written data, and the analysis of messages posted to discussion threads over the duration of a year, the study demonstrates that the online environment facilitates the construction of communities of practice, by enabling participants to develop and sustain local and global relationships, construct identities, and engage autonomously in the medium. My findings suggest that online environments be considered, not merely as alternative modes of delivery in the language classroom, but for social inclusion, provided that facilitators and learners are adequately prepared for the use of digital technology. The study further suggests a model for the adoption of ICT in relation to learning within the South African context. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2006.

This exploratory study provides a qualitative and quantitative report on the integration of a specific online information system into the science curriculum using authentic tasks in a class setting. It investigates how they use an online information database and tools to create meaning. An in-depth analysis was done to understand students&amp / #8217 / perceptions about the usability of a web-based learning tool used in science course, properties of a web-based learning tool, the quality of the content, and the structure of web-based instruction. It also aimed to explore the effects of the Web-based learning in a science course on students&amp / #8217 / achievement and attitudes toward science learning. The subjects of this study were 51 &Ouml / zel Bilim Okullari students in secondary school (6th, 7th and 8th grades) classes. It was conducted throughout the academic year of 2004-2005. The Science Achievement Test and attitude scales for science learning were given as pre-tests at the begging of academic year. They were given as post-tests and the students were interviewed in groups of five at the end of the academic year. The total time of using the web site of the course was kept by Web log-system. The quantitative findings of the study indicated that there were significant differences between the pre-tests and post-tests of the science achievement test and attitude scale. In addition, there were a positive relationship between the site usage time and achievement and attitude of the students towards science learning. The qualitative findings of this study showed that the amount of information supplied in the web site of the course, access to the Internet, doing assignments and taking online exams played important roles in students&amp / #8217 / science learning. However, the students did not prefer to use e-mails and chat rooms to collaborate with their fiends. They preferred to communicate face to face with their friends, and they preferred SMS because of ease of use. The results and the discussion set out in this study have some important implications for teachers and instructional designers. The study contributes to an understanding of online learning and provides a basis for empirical study of learners performing real educational tasks. The insights gained in this small-scale study will help teachers construct better online learning environments with regard to pedagogy and technological innovation.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2009. / Title from PDF title page (University of Texas Digital Repository, viewed on Sept. 9, 2009). Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

The intent of this study is to identify correlations that might exist between Web-based instruction and higher assessment scores in secondary education. The study framework was held within the confines of a public high school chemistry classroom. Within this population there were students identified as gifted and talented (GT) as well as those without this designation. These two classifications were examined for statistically higher assessment scores using a two-tailed t-test. Results indicated that females outperformed males on pre- and post- instructional unit tests. All subgroups improved their logical-thinking skills and exhibited positive attitudes towards Web-based instruction. In general, Web-based instruction proved beneficial to improving classroom performance of all GT and non-GT groups as compared to traditional classroom instruction.

In recent years, changes to the aerospace engineering curriculum have moved the laboratory classes ahead in the four year program. In an effort to alleviate the introduction of prerequisite and scheduling problems resulting from the curriculum changes, a study into the approach of making laboratory classes more accessible was initiated. Two options are in the process of being implemented as a solution to current and future curriculum obstacles as a result of this study. First, the first semester laboratory class has been successfully converted to an introduction to laboratory procedures class with the option of taking the lecture portion via the Web. Secondly, present preparations are underway to offer the entire introductory laboratory class via the Web. An in-depth analysis into laboratory tasks selected for the introductory class on laboratory procedures is presented, along with methods implemented, current results and suggestions for the future complete conversion into a virtual class.

This dissertation reports on an investigation into three web-based technologies to determine their usefulness and the extent to which they support learning. The study comprises three case studies, each examining a separate web-based technology, suitable for diverse groups of learners in terms of age group and background. The main contribution is to determine for whom and how these technologies could be used, with the intention of providing a systematic structure of web-learning possibilities for learners of different ages (children, undergraduates and postgraduates) and types of teaching (contact teaching and distance learning). It was found that web-based technologies could support learning. Their usefulness depends on how the instructional design addresses the different aspects of web-based learning, and whether or not the course and web-based material match the characteristics/needs of the target group. / Thesis (MA (Information Science))--University of Pretoria, 2003. / Information Science / unrestricted

No description available.

The aim of this study is to conduct a thorough theoretical study on the establishment of a web-based cession collateral registration platform for agri-financiers in South Africa. The agricultural industry is earmarked for growth due to pressures of food security and the role it could play in rural development, job creation and social upliftment. Agri-finance to farmers for primary input costs, is the catalyst which kick-starts the agricultural value chain. Due to many reasons, the traditional asset-based collateral in the fashion of mortgage bonds will become more and more unavailable to agri-financiers to secure their loans. Agri-financiers will have to rely on commodity-based collateral (cession) as security for repayment of their loans. The law of cession and trite common law principle of first in time first in right creates an undue credit risk to agri-financiers. A market gap exists to establish a cession collateral registration platform in South Africa to mitigate the aforementioned credit risk assumed by agri-financiers. This platform is an entrepreneurial opportunity which could be operated as a viable and sustainable business enterprise. The results of the empirical research have shown that the market will embrace such platform as solution to the credit risk associated with commodity-based collateral in the form of a cession of crop income. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The aim of this study is to conduct a thorough theoretical study on the establishment of a web-based cession collateral registration platform for agri-financiers in South Africa. The agricultural industry is earmarked for growth due to pressures of food security and the role it could play in rural development, job creation and social upliftment. Agri-finance to farmers for primary input costs, is the catalyst which kick-starts the agricultural value chain. Due to many reasons, the traditional asset-based collateral in the fashion of mortgage bonds will become more and more unavailable to agri-financiers to secure their loans. Agri-financiers will have to rely on commodity-based collateral (cession) as security for repayment of their loans. The law of cession and trite common law principle of first in time first in right creates an undue credit risk to agri-financiers. A market gap exists to establish a cession collateral registration platform in South Africa to mitigate the aforementioned credit risk assumed by agri-financiers. This platform is an entrepreneurial opportunity which could be operated as a viable and sustainable business enterprise. The results of the empirical research have shown that the market will embrace such platform as solution to the credit risk associated with commodity-based collateral in the form of a cession of crop income. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 20-23, 2003 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / This paper presents the design and implementation of a large fleet management system, which is a true convergence solution of GPS, web-based GIS, GSM, GPRS and Internet technologies. The Short Message Service of the GSM is used to substitute the GPRS where GPRS is not available. A protocol stack including TCP/IP and PPP is implemented in vehicle unit to transmit data via Internet. A communication gateway is designed to distribute the location and control messages. The system tests confirm that the proposed scheme can perform a reliable management service for large fleets at low operating and maintaining costs.