The effective use of computers and emerging technologies for e-education in public secondary schools in urban and rural communities of KwaZulu-Natal.

Abstract

This study identifies problems and competencies, with the aim of establishing whether educators would be willing to adopt e-Education; and be ready to implement the policy in the classroom, as well as the acceptance of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in public secondary schools in urban and rural communities of KwaZulu-Natal. The focus of the study is on basic as well as emerging technology that teachers need to use for a range of educational applications. The quantitative research methodology was used to conduct the study, using a questionnaire as data gathering survey instrument. The sample of the population consists of 300 respondents in the rural and urban communities of KwaZulu-Natal. The data was analysed and processed using SPSS and MS Office Excel application software. The study forms part of a coordinated research project in which a group of researchers measured the degree of readiness (e-Readiness) of educators and learners to effectively use Information and Communication Technologies for e-Education, as proposed in the South African Government’s 2003 White Paper on e-Education. The results of the present project indicate that teachers in KwaZulu-Natal are willing to implement e-Education and ready to use emerging technologies for the effective learning and teaching environment, but that their skills at using Information and Communication Technologies need upgrading to advance electronic communications and computer equipment.