Barriers to e-learning amongst postgraduate black students in higher education in South Africa

[摘要] Computer literacy plays a major role in today's education system. The South AfricanDepartment of Education has included computer literacy to be one of the subjects fromprimary school education. The purpose of this study is to identify barriers of e-learningamongst postgraduate black students in higher education in South Africa. Most of thehigher education institutions in South Africa have introduced the e-learning method asone 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 andlearning 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 takeplace successfully. By identifying those factors it will bring more benefit to those highereducation institutions that are finding e-learning a delight to work with. The institutionsthat are battling with e-learning may find solutions on how to successfully implement andget benefits from e-learning.This study will identify the challenges that learners, instructors and course developersexperience on the e-learning path. Solutions to the challenges experienced in the SouthAfrican higher education system may serve in promoting e-learning to higher educationinstitutions and corporate organisations in the country. Traditional learners may also bemotivated and encouraged to give e-learning a try. As a country, South Africa is exposedto challenges like poverty and increased unemployment rate; education may serve as atool in addressing the challenges. The country shows success in distance education, manyworking people have managed to develop their skills and qualification through distanceeducation. It is a challenge for government and higher education institutions to make elearningwork in the South African education system. Identifying and eliminating barriersto e-learning may give the South African education system a chance to embrace elearningin the same way it did to traditional learning, or even more.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University