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Masters Degrees (English, Media and Performance Studies)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10413/6497

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Browsing Masters Degrees (English, Media and Performance Studies) by Author "Amory, Alan M."

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    Evaluation of ArcView-GIS as a learning tool at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
    (2005) Nhlanganiso, Biyela.; Amory, Alan M.
    The objective ofthe research project is to investigate the use of ArcView-GIS (a Geographical Information Systems software package) to promote cognitive development , at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. To understand the impact of ArcView-GIS as a learning tool will require an understanding ofhow it is used, what learning goals are held by educators and students and the type of assessments used to evaluate student achievement. It is argued that the use of GIS software promotes development of a wide range of skills. A research instrument to measure skills related to visualization, language, mathematics and logics was used to evaluate learners from a number of different groups which included science undergraduates, humanities undergraduates and GIS students (2 groups: one group took the test after the completion and the other group prior to the GIS course). In addition GIS experts and students evaluated the user interface of ArcVIewGIS. Results show that those learners exposed to GIS performed better in all the skills evaluated than any of the other groups. Also, experts and GIS students found the software interface satisfactory. The findings suggest that ArcView-GIS can support higher-order thinking by engaging students in authentic, complex tasks within an appropriate learning context.
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    Evaluation of the use of an online learning management sytem at the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
    (2006) Ndamase, Zanele Victoria.; Amory, Alan M.
    This study investigates the use of a Web Based Learning environment to support a newly introduced Problem Based Learning curriculum at the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine. Questionnaires, observations and interviews form the basis of this qualitative study amongst first and second year students. Attempts are made to interrogate the way in which staff members use the system to support a constructivist learning environment. In addition similar prior research at this institution is taken into account and reported in the literature review. While not disputing the findings of earlier research the qualitative methodology used here shows some discrepancies with previous research. In particular, although learners are able to, and do, make use of the system it is predominantly used for the dissemination and retrieval of information. The basic premises of construction of knowledge are not facilitated by the Medical School's use of the Web Based Learning environment and of great concern was the small number of staff members who saw it as an integral part of the new curriculum and learning process.