Roelien Goede

Reshaping computer literacy teaching in higher education: Identification of critical success factors

Purpose – Acquiring computer skills is more important today than ever before, especially in a developing country. Teaching of computer skills, however, has to adapt to new technology. This paper aims to model factors influencing the success of the learning of computer literacy by means of an e‐learning environment. The research question for this paper is: what is the relationship between the success of the teaching of computer literacy and factors such as mother tongue, the learners favourite subject, secondary school, race, future vision, confidence, computer anxiety, prior knowledge, intellectual ability, learning styles, the learners ability to plan and follow his or her own planning and gender?Design/methodology/approach – The research plan combined interpretive and positivistic methods (mixed method research). Factors were identified from literature and interpretive interviews before being tested empirically and analyzed statistically, using questionnaires and biographical data from learners at a u...

The good, the bad and the ugly: Using videos to reverse systems analysis and design instruction

Systems Analysis and Design (SAD) is a second-year subject offered within the Information Technology (IT) course at the Vaal Triangle Campus of the North-West University in South Africa. The diverse environment of this campus includes students representing most ethnic groups in South Africa, adding to the complexity of classroom interaction. This is further complicated by the fact that students find the subject difficult, mostly because it includes many new concepts used in different contexts. SAD students also grapple with fuzzy issues such as fact-finding from system users and representing information obtained from models that are designed for feedback. SAD is therefore far removed from the more exact subjects like programming and mathematics that many IT students excel in. Videos explaining difficult SAD concepts were produced and made available to students on a Learning Management System (LMS). The students were motivated to come to classes prepared. During the first semester concepts were explained during formal class times. Formal explanations were not given during the second semester because students were expected to build on the knowledge that they had gained during the first semester. The students were also required to make use of all the resources available to them to come to class prepared. Group work was done in class during both semesters. The success of implementing reverse instruction in the second semester is evaluated through an interpretive lens. The fifteen modal aspects developed by the philosopher Herman Dooyeweerd were used to ensure a clearer picture of the researched situation was painted with a view on diversity and unexpected usage.

A Critical Systems Perspective on Project-Based Learning: Guidelines for Using Industry Data for BI Student Projects

Higher education institutions provide the IT industry with professionals who are good problem solvers and self-directed life-long learners with a firm theoretical knowledge base. To achieve this, project-based learning is included in the curriculum. Data and requirements are supplied by an industry partner to 4th-year students in business intelligence. The aim of the collaboration is to develop the students to the best of their ability, while also generating benefits to the faculty members and the industry partner. The goal of this paper is to develop guidelines for using industry data for business intelligence students. The guidelines shall support the interests of the students in terms of real-world experience, faculty members in terms academic results, and industry partners in terms of information protection.