Collaboration in the rural schools of the Eden/Karoo District and the use of knowledge management tools
Date
2008-03
Authors
Webber, Zwelibanzi Samson
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
Rural multi-grade schools are faced with many challenges when it comes to teaching
and learning. Educators at these schools are required to teach more than one grade at a
time with several learning areas. This research suggests that this problem can partly
be resolved by engaging educators in a kind of learning network where they will assist
each other when it comes to curriculum development and planning. The researcher
understands the conditions and the problems associated with these schools. Hence an
online collaboration process was put to the test.
It is argued in the literature review that the nature of the curriculum requires that the
educators should collaborate at a certain level. This has led the researcher to believe
that there is a need to provide an overview of collaborative software available in the
market. To this effect a decision was taken to test the suitability of Share Point (SP) as
collaboration software as well as the attitude of educators towards collaboration.
Emerging from the research is a visible absence and silence on collaboration in
schools. Although educators embrace the process of online collaboration there are
some problems that need to be taken care of first. Some of these relate to the
availability of computers, both at home and at work and the fact that some educators
are not computer literate enough to face the challenges of online collaboration. Other
shortcomings to the success of the research are also highlighted.
The research concluded by recommending the use of SP in schools to alleviate the
plight of rural school educators. The use of SP should also be accompanied by an
extensive training programme to ensure the optimum utilisation of the system. On the
whole the researcher is also of the opinion that online collaboration can work
provided that it is monitored very thoroughly.
Description
Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008.
Keywords
Collaborative tools, Sharepoint, Curriculum planning, Rural schools, Dissertations -- Information science, Theses -- Information science