Barriers to e-learning amongst postgraduate black students in higher education in South Africa
Date
2008-03
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
Computer literacy plays a major role in today’s education system. The South African
Department of Education has included computer literacy to be one of the subjects from
primary school education. The purpose of this study is to identify barriers of e-learning
amongst postgraduate black students in higher education in South Africa. Most of the
higher education institutions in South Africa have introduced the e-learning method as
one of the mediums of instruction in offering courses at their institutions.
For some higher education institutions, e-learning has proven to be a good teaching and
learning method and for some it has been a problem from the implementation phase.
There are some factors that have not been identified as barriers for e-learning to take
place successfully. By identifying those factors it will bring more benefit to those higher
education institutions that are finding e-learning a delight to work with. The institutions
that are battling with e-learning may find solutions on how to successfully implement and
get benefits from e-learning.
This study will identify the challenges that learners, instructors and course developers
experience on the e-learning path. Solutions to the challenges experienced in the South
African higher education system may serve in promoting e-learning to higher education
institutions and corporate organisations in the country. Traditional learners may also be
motivated and encouraged to give e-learning a try. As a country, South Africa is exposed
to challenges like poverty and increased unemployment rate; education may serve as a
tool in addressing the challenges. The country shows success in distance education, many
working people have managed to develop their skills and qualification through distance
education. It is a challenge for government and higher education institutions to make elearning
work in the South African education system. Identifying and eliminating barriers
to e-learning may give the South African education system a chance to embrace elearning
in the same way it did to traditional learning, or even more.
Description
Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--Stellenbosch University, 2008.
Keywords
E-learning, Black postgraduate students, Higher education institutions, Dissertations -- Information science, Theses -- Information science