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EDUCATION
THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
IOI-SA
has been conducting research into the appropriate use of
technology in teaching-and-learning in support of its
capacity building and networking goals.
The
information age has matured to the extent that the
internet has become a tool, not just for receiving
information, but as an inter-active portal for formal
learning and education. Many institutions are leaning in
the direction of allowing students to work at their own
pace within certain parameters. It allows students or
school learners to work together from remote locations and
opens the doors for effective distance education, with
real-time contact with other learners and instructors
(teachers or lecturers) from wherever you are online!
IOI-SA
has set the standard
for the development of these resources and is part of an
ATM broadband network based at University that facilitates
such activities. The advent of the World Wide Web, and
associated technologies has made the construction of an
integrated online learning environment an easily
achievable task. It is for this reason, and because the
web connects learners to an array of learning materials
that are otherwise not accessible, that IOI-SA has
"Education through Technology" as one of it’s
core programmes.
There
are several ongoing projects within this programme:
Knowledge
Environment for Web-based Learning (KEWL)
(http://kewl.uwc.ac.za/)
KEWL
is open source software and will be released according to
the GNU Public License. Aside from input by members of the
IOI-SA staff, several programmers from the open source
community have contributed to the KEWL project. The
software is presently approaching the first Beta, and has
been tested for developing and managing a trial course. It
works, and is mostly stable. We do not view KEWL as a
finished, or even a finishable project, but rather it
should serve as the basis to incorporate the latest
developments where they will facilitate better learning.
The educational paradigm underpinning KEWL is one of
constructivism. The tools that are part of KEWL are
designed to facilitate a constructivist approach to online
learning. Negotiations are currently underway to make KEWL
available to Western Cape schools as a FREE service.
SA-ISIS.learn
(http://sa-isislearn.uwc.ac.za)
This
learning resource, possible through a grant from the South
African Innovation Fund, provides web-based learning
materials and courseware in support of the aims of the
South African Integrated Spatial Information Systems
Program (SA-ISIS). Courses are developed within the
framework of the recent legislation on higher education,
and are available for university credit as well as credit
towards lifelong learning programmes. Initially courses
will be directed towards skills development of coastal
decision makers in local authorities and in provincial and
national governments. Upon request, the SA-ISISlearn
resources can be adapted to any learning objective or any
target group, including grassroots level.
South
African Coastal Information Centre (SACIC) (http://sacoast.uwc.ac.za/)
The
White Paper for Sustainable Coastal Development recognizes
the need for raising awareness of the wise management of
South Africa’s coastal resources. To this end, and in
support of the implementation of the White Paper, the
Coastal Management Office (CMO) of the Department of
Environmental Affairs and Tourism has initiated the
development of the South African Coastal Information
Centre through its CoastCARE campaign. This website, known
colloquially as ‘SACIC’, is being developed by IOI-SA
at the University of the Western Cape. The virtual
resource centre will consist of three areas: a content
library, containing information about the coast targeted
at schools and the general public; a projects database;
and a web-based GIS and satellite image facility to aid
decision support in coastal areas of South Africa.
Other projects include:
Watch this space and see how you can join in with this
exciting new area in Education!
If
you want to become involved in this programme contact the
Programme Coordinator at:
IOI-SA
c/o Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
University of the Western Cape
P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535
South Africa
Tel. +27 21 959 2594
Fax. +27 21 959 1213
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