The 3RD INTERNATIONAL E-LEARNING CONFERENCE at
the WALTER SISULU UNIVERSITY
Theme: Technology, Pedagogy and Education in the 21st Century
The Use of ICT by Students and Academics in
Teaching and Learning: The case of the
University of Fort Hare
by
Alfred H. Makura
01 November 2011
Introduction and background
 ICT are a diverse set of technological tools and
resources used for creating, storing, managing
and communicating information, and to support
teaching and learning and research activities
(Vajargah, Jahani & Azadmanesh, 2010)
 The use of the Internet and other information
and communication technologies (ICTs) in
higher education in South Africa has been
growing rapidly for more than a decade (UFH
ICT policy document).
Introduction and background
• The UFH Institutional Strategic Plan
(SP2009) advocates the promotion of
Technology-enhanced Learning (TeL)
as one of the key objectives within the
strategic goal of teaching and
learning, research and community
engagement excellence (UFH Strategic
Plan 2009).
Introduction and background
• ICT use of in education help
improve memory retention,
increase motivation and
understanding (Dede,
998),promote collaborative
learning, and problem solving
activities(Forcheri and Molfino,
2000)
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
• The UFH has responded slowly to
ICT/TeL awareness and usage. A
few academics have attempted to
use a few ICTs such as WebCT and
Blackboard for teaching and
learning purposes (UFH ICT policy
document).
PURPOSE OF STUDY
• to investigate the use of ICT by
students and staff at the
University of Fort Hare (as
perceived by students)
RESEARCH QUESTION
• What is the nature and
extent of ICT use by
academics at UFH as
perceived by students?
METHODOLOGY
• Design
• Interpretive methodology
Case study
• Instrument:
Questaview
Sample
44 randomly selected student users of
PASS (24;14;5;3 year 1,2,3,4 respectively)
RESULTS
1. Technology used for learning by students
[nature of ICT used by students]
 computer
 Internet
 Cellphone
 Projector
 Photocopying machine
 Library/textbook/great hall/journals/
studying alone or in group/consultations
RESULTS cont….
• Technology used by UFH Academics/lecturers
Projector/overhead projector
Computer/computer databank
PowerPoint presentation
Laptop
Slides
Emails
Blackboard
microscope
RESULTS cont….
• Technologies available at the University
Computer
Projector/overhead projector
Internet
Microscope
Photocopying machines
Library/opac/textbooks
RESULTS cont….
• Technologies ‘I learnt since arriving at UFH’
Computer
Photocopying machine
Internet
Overhead projector
Microscope
Textbooks/opac/catalogue referencing
None
RESULTS cont….
• How ICT should be used by lecturers at UFH
 More computers for research
 Projector to help
 Use of SI leaders because they are active/motivate
 Maintain status quo “my degree does not require much
use of technology…”
 More computer labs
 Emailing lecture notes/exploit internet
 ‘More working computers and photocopying machines’
RECOMMENDATIONS
• Expose students to more technology for
learning on entry into university
• Capacitate academics technologically to use
technology in learning and teaching
• Utilise the teaching grant from DHET to equip
lecture halls with technology
• Centres of Teaching and Learning/ Academic
Development Centres should spearhead ICT
usage by academics + ICT training for TeL.
THE END
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND LOOKING
QUESTIONS??
COMMENTS??