Abstract in English / The number of studies focused on the digital preservation of indigenous knowledge has
been growing steadily over the years. Despite the growth in this area of research, there
is still a lack of information technology tools that preserve and disseminate indigenous
knowledge. Indigenous knowledge has been highlighted as an area that can advance
sustainable development, and its preservation is therefore of the utmost importance.
Indigenous knowledge is mostly present within older generations, and if it is not
preserved, this knowledge will die with its custodians.
African communities rely heavily on indigenous medicine. A digital platform needs to be
explored that can preserve practices relating to these medicines for future generations.
Since indigenous knowledge is dynamic and is constantly evolving, there is a need to
explore a digital tool that can highlight this dynamic nature.
Current methods of preserving indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants were found to
be less than effective and marred by constraints such as space and time. The main
objective of this study was therefore to develop a model that could be used to guide the
design of a new e-learning system aimed at facilitating the preservation of indigenous
knowledge of Namibia’s medicinal plants.
In this study, e-learning technology was used to determine the requirements for
presenting indigenous knowledge of Namibia’s medicinal plants in such a way as to
ensure that individuals can internalise and preserve this knowledge. An interpretivist
qualitative approach was followed. Data was collected by conducting a literature review
and carrying out a survey. A prototype e-learning system was developed and evaluated
based on the collected data. It was found that preserving indigenous knowledge of
medicinal plants through e-learning would require, among other things, engagement with
the relevant knowledge custodians, leveraging multimedia, and offering content in
indigenous languages. / School of Computing / M.Sc. (Computing)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/26842 |
| Date | 02 1900 |
| Creators | Amunkete, Katazo Natasha |
| Contributors | Van Staden, Corne J., Schoeman, Marthie A. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | 1 electronic resource (xvi, 230 leaves) : color illustrations, application/pdf |
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