D.Litt. et Phil. (Information Science) / The project involved the design of a multimedia study package for distance teaching in computerised information retrieval. This included external online and CD-ROM informa- tion retrieval, as well as specialized systems such as in-house databases, videotex, teletext and Internet. The target group was information specialists. The findings may also apply to other target groups, provided a thorough situation analysis serves as point of departure. The project was initiated by the growing importance of distance education, the constant developments in the online industry and the need for didactically grounded study packages for teaching computerised information retrieval skills. Such packages should focus on technological knowledge and skills on the higher cognitive, affective and psychomotor levels. A literature study was conducted on four subproblems: the nature of distance education; the characteristics of multimedia study packages; the didactical grounding of such packages (including curriculum development, instructional design and media selection); and the state of the art regarding the 'teaching of computerised information retrieval. This led to the conclusion that the theory of distance education should serve as focal point in the design of a multimedia package, while special attention is also given to Keegan's theory which focuses on the reintegration of the teaching and learning acts. Study packages should be the result of instructional design, which is dependent on curriculum development. The latter includes decisions made on the macro and meso levels of the curriculum and the consideration of technological infrastructures available in the wider society. Provision should also be made for the typical characteristics of multimedia packages for distance teaching, including individual study, irregular contact teaching sessions, active student involvement, opportunities for self-evaluation, enriching and remedial learning events, student support and the recognition of the needs of adult learners (andragogical needs), as well as those of young adults. The mastering of higher order skills should be supported by opportunities for active student involvement including self-evaluation of lower order skills. Provision should also be made 1I1 for the practical application of knowledge and skills, as welI as evaluation skills, by fully exploiting the possibilities offered by interactive teaching. Students should, however, attend interactive sessions welI prepared. This could be ensured by making use of prior self- evaluation as well as tutor evaluation of both subject matter and media literacy. A variety of media and teaching methods can be applied in the mediated teaching of computerised information retrieval. Media selection should be based on media character- istics, performance objectives, subject nature and logistical factors. An eclectic model for instructional design is proposed. A concept design for a multimedia package for distance teaching of computerised information retrieval was developed by applying this eclectic model. The concept design was based on the didactical situation at the University of South Africa. Although the design has focused on the ideal situation, where students have access to computers and attend sporadic contact teaching sessions, suggestions are also made for a differentiated package. These suggestions include a basic study package, a learning contract with the student and his employee, and a package with enriched learning experience.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:13062 |
| Date | 20 November 2014 |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Johannesburg |
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