Global Perspectives on Higher Education & the Role of ICT (original) (raw)
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ICT in Higher Education - The bigger picture ICT in Higher Education is not just a remarkable technology but it holds the key in propelling South Africa towards a first world country and it has the “power” to aid in alleviating illiteracy. ICT in higher education can bring knowledge to millions by bringing communication to all. This session will look at what this advanced technology can do for the “man on the street” and the global social advantages of implementation by analysing: • Socio economic growth factors • Meeting of digital continents • Conceptual ICT in Higher Education propositions • The way forward - everything you need to consider in using this infrastructure
The impact of South Africa’s ICT infrastructure on higher education
2008
In this paper we describe South Africa's information and communication technologies (ICTs) infrastructure, highlight the issues South African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) face in terms of ICT access and argue that a greater awareness of these issues can help us plan better e-learning interventions in Higher Education. We draw on recent research about the use of ICTs in our sector describing the prevailing and emergent practices with regard to the pedagogic integration of ICTs as well as a survey conducted amongst 14 "e-Learning managers" from South African HEIs. The South African ICT infrastructure of concern to HEIs are evaluated in terms of issues such as internet users, bandwidth, demographic divides, cost and cell phone subscriptions. Barriers to e-learning that affect staff and students across institutions are also highlighted. We then examine what these constraints mean for teaching and learning and provide some suggestions as to how opportunities can be maximised. It is concluded that despite our varied HE institutional contexts, each with their own infrastructural and organisational challenges, there are definite areas for collaboration, joint research projects and sharing of good practice. These opportunities are critical for elearning practitioners, especially whilst we are operating in an environment of resource constraint.
Dominant Perspectives on ICT & Higher Education
The application of technology into teaching and learning is a fairly new phenomenon in higher education environments. While the intake trends are growing at an increasing rate in academic institutions however, the conceptual framework is lagging behind. There is a lack of consensus on conceptions of a relationship between ICT and learning processes in academia. As a result, it is difficult to understand motivations for educational technology intakes, and to make sense of ICT adoption patterns, trends, and processes within and between higher education institutions. In view of this complexity, this paper analyses the common concepts, meanings, and implications attached to the interaction of technology and education by academics, IT practitioners, institutional policy makers, and the literature in higher education institutions. The paper draws on a recent study of ICT, education, pedagogy and change -by Czerniewicz, Ravjee, and Mlitwa (2005)
ICT Policies and Strategies in Higher Education in South Africa: National and Institutional Pathways
Higher Education Policy, 2007
This paper focuses on policy initiatives and strategies used to promote the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in higher education in South Africa. It explores a wider international outlook and current debates in South Africa to map out an emerging South African perspective concerning the integration of ICT in higher education. It also provides a brief survey of key policy developments on e-education in general to contextualize the use of ICTs. In doing so, the paper addresses the following questions: What general goals do policy makers in South Africa express in national policy documents for the integration of ICT in the education system? What is the role of government regarding the use of ICT in higher education? What policies and strategies for ICT do leaders of South African higher education institutions develop? How do South African national priorities and higher education institutional strategies match?
2013
That many, if not all, universities the world over have made heavy investments in putting up ICT infrastructure is perhaps a clear attestation to the unwavering confidence they have in the ability of ICT to transform the way higher education institutions conduct their core activities. This investment in technology is informed by the perceived advantages it brings to the process of knowledge creation, management and dissemination. Nonetheless, an important question arises out of this; just how exactly do students and faculty use ICT at their disposal? This research project aimed at unraveling this ICT puzzle by investigating how ICT is used at