Developmental study towards effective practices in technology-assisted learning: third combined report from 15 participating South African universities

Abstract

The Centre for Technology Assisted Learning (CenTAL) at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and the SOLSTICE Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at Edge Hill University (EHU), UK signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 28 June 2007 for the creation of a benchmarking hub for the enhancement of learning by the deployment of educational technologies in South African universities. This was followed up during a visit of Mark Schofield of EHU during February 2008 and resulted in an invitation for participation directed at the directors of technology-assisted learning (TAL) centres, and other senior staff members responsible for academic development and support including TAL, at 23 South African universities. The information below was obtained from the participating universities’ present and future activities in TAL. They were requested to use nine so-called “lenses” of self-evaluation and review and to organise the information using these lenses. The first combined report contained the information received from participatory universities during a first round. This report was discussed during a meeting of representatives of participating universities on 28 May 2008 in Johannesburg. During this meeting, a refinement of our common understanding of lenses was discussed and three new lenses were added. A Second Combined Report was produced and discussed at a second meeting of participants on 10 October 2008 at UJ. Two additional universities also came on board in the second semester of 2008. This report is now based on the information offered by all 14 participating universities on these refined and expanded lenses. In the sequel, these lenses are used as headings. Information from participating universities is offered by alphabetically arranging the universities under each lens