Teaching of a computer literacy course in South Africa: A case study using traditional and co‐operative learning

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Scheepers, Helana | de Villiers, Carina

Affiliations: School of Network Computing, Monash University, Peninsula Campus, Mc Mahons Road, Frankston, Melbourne, Vic. 3199, Australia E‐mail: helana.scheepers@infotech.monash.edu.au | Department of Informatics, University of Pretoria, Lynnwood Road, Pretoria 0002, South Africa E‐mail: cdevill@hakuna.up.ac.za

Abstract: The Department of Informatics at the University of Pretoria in South Africa has been involved in a research project funded by the Foundation for Research and Development (FRD) since 1996. The main focus of this project is to establish computer‐supported co‐operative learning centres in various rural communities. The case study described in this paper discusses a part of this project that was undertaken during 1998. The paper outlines the computer literacy course where co‐operative learning and traditional learning methods were used. A discussion about co‐operative learning and traditional learning, with specific reference to the implementation of the two methods at SEIDET, is presented. An outline of the research results based on a questionnaire completed by the teachers who took part in the case study, is given. Although most of the teachers preferred the traditional and known method of teaching that was used for the MsExcel part of the course, they indicated that they have learnt more using the co‐operative learning method.

Journal: Information Technology for Development, vol. 9, no. 3-4, pp. 175-187, 2000