HIV/AIDS education and the professional development of teachers : investigating the potential of an e-learning programme

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The focus of my study was to investigate an existing professional development programme for HIV/AIDS education in schools using e-learning as a delivery method. I investigated aspects of pedagogy that provide efficient workplace training for educators, such as constructivist approaches to adult teaching and learning, assessment strategies, creating opportunities for communication and a focus on learners' voices as crucial elements of in-service training. I reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of e-learning as a delivery method and discussed the trade-off between richness and reach in education.I focused on interpreting and making meaning from the experiences of the educators who participated in the e-learning pilot study. I scrutinised the participants' electronically submitted journals in which they documented their experiences of the HIV/AIDS and Education module. My aim was to interpret their descriptions of how they experienced their growth as educators and to analyse their views on how the module enabled them to implement courses on HIV/AIDS across the curriculum.My research methodology was a combination of interpretative and critical research, focusing on interpreting and making meaning from the experiences of the individuals who took part in the study. To produce data I used a cyclical process where the participants performed key roles, giving regular feedback, recording their experiences and contributing to the upgrading of the programme.HIV/AIDS and its possible impact on education have changed the rules of many aspects of classroom learning programme development, including sex and sexuality education. The Department of Education alone can therefore not sustain quality HIV/AIDS education, and it is imperative that departmental efforts should be augmented by tapping into existing professional development programmes offered by higher education institutions. I also support the international tendency that integrates aspects of HIV/AIDS education into all the Learning Areas because HIV/AIDS affects all aspects of life.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University