Digital Literacy Skills as Prerequisite for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Institutions

Mousaion ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tlou Maggie Masenya
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
The Impact

The advent of digital technologies has brought about new opportunities and challenges to the education system globally. The use of digital technologies by educators in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) is a portal for innovative teaching and learning. While there is a gradual increase in the use of these innovative technologies by HEIs in South Africa, there is still a long way to transform the educational system fully. Effective use of digital technologies in teaching and learning needs a certain level of digital literacy. Digital literacy enhances teaching and learning by helping educators integrate and use digital technologies, while equipping students with skills to access the internet effectively. The impact of digital technology has beaconed the need of educators to acquire 21st-century skills. Digital literacy skills are critical in realising the potential and benefits of digital technologies. This paper investigates the importance of digital technologies in education and the impact of digital literacy skills on the effective use of these technologies in HEIs in South Africa. Data collection was primarily based on a critical review of literature relating to the application of mobile technologies in HEIs in South Africa. The results revealed various barriers inhibiting educators from adopting mobile technologies in teaching and learning, including lack of digital literacy skills, time constraints, unwillingness to change, lack of educator confidence, poor technological infrastructure, and lack of digital or mobile devices. The study provides recommendations to enable and inspire educators in HEIs to use mobile digital technologies effectively.

scholarly journals An assessment of the interplay between literacy and digital Technology in Higher Education

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahrokh Nikou ◽  
Milla Aavakare
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
University Staff ◽  
Willingness To Use ◽  
The Impact

AbstractDigital technologies fundamentally transform teaching and learning in higher education environments, with the pace of technological change exacerbating the challenge. Due to the current pandemic situation, higher education environments are all now forced to move away from traditional teaching and learning structures that are simply no longer adaptable to the challenges of rapidly changing educational environments. This research develops a conceptual model and employs Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) using Partial least Squares (PLS) to examine the impact of information and digital literacy on 249 Finnish university staff and students’ intention to use digital technologies. The findings show the complex interrelationship between literacy skills and digital technologies among university staff and students. The results illustrate that information literacy has a direct and significant impact on intention to use; while, unlike our expectation, digital literacy does not have a direct impact on the intention to use. However, its effect is mediated through performance expectancy and effort expectancy. The authors suggest that to understand the changes that are taking place in higher education environment, more attention needs to be paid to redefining policies and strategies in order to enhance individuals’ willingness to use digital technologies within higher education environments.

Challenges Posed by Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for South African Higher Education Institutions

10.28945/2679 ◽  
2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
ME Herselman ◽  
HR Hay
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Revolutionary Change ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Teaching Learning

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are the major driving forces of globalised and knowledge-based societies of a new world era. They will have a profound impact on teaching and learning for two decades to come. The revolutionary change which is taking place in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), has dramatic effects on the way universities carry out their functions of teaching, learning and research, particularly on the creation, dissemination and application of knowledge. These developments pose unprecedented challenges to higher education institutions (HEIs) in developing countries particular in South Africa as South Africa is viewed as the leading country on the continent.

scholarly journals ATHENA: Contributing to Development of Higher Education Institutions for the Digital Age

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-131
Author(s):  
J. C. Quadrado ◽  
Yu. P. Pokholkov ◽  
K. K. Zaitseva
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
European Union ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Grant Programs ◽  
Professional Educators ◽  
Digital Era

Facilitated by public administrations and the European Union, higher education institutions should support their teachers so they develop the skills for online and other forms of teaching and learning opened up by the digital era and should exploit the opportunities presented by technology to improve the quality of teaching and learning. The article focuses on new European Union grant programs that empower the increasing of digital literacy in the higher education area, developing cooperation, and overcoming challenges during the coronavirus pandemic. This initiative can empower a new European University and support an international project aimed at certification of professional educators with the participation of a Russian partner.

scholarly journals ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF SERVICE RECOVERY STRATEGIES ON PROCEDURAL JUSTICE IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 230-239
Author(s):  
Steven Kayambazinthu Msosa ◽  
◽  
Gona Govender ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Procedural Justice ◽  
Public Universities ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Service Recovery ◽  
Education Sector ◽  
Recovery Strategies ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Purposive Sample

Students in higher education institutions encounter different problems which are normally reported through the appropriate complaints channels. Sometimes institutions and their employees do not address the reported problems on time due to systematic issues such as internal processes or procedures which are cumbersome. This paper assessed the impact of service recovery strategies (speed and empowerment) on procedural justice in higher education institutions. The study was conducted across three public universities in South Africa using a purposive sample of 430 students. The findings showed that speed and empowerment have a positive and significant impact on procedural justice. The findings underpin the importance of fairness in the procedures being used to address student problems. Besides, the study could help faculty and institutional managers to pinpoint areas that are hindering the smooth running of the operations and interface between students and employees of the universities. This study contributes to the literature on procedural justice in the higher education sector and provides an analysis of students' experiences from the developing world where infrastructural and financial challenges contribute to the final recipe.

scholarly journals Knowledge management practices

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 174-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Balakrishnan V Nair ◽  
Chandramalar Munusami
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Influential Factor ◽  
General View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Teaching And Learning Environment ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate KM practices that may be in place in the higher education institutions (HEIs) and whether the KM practices are made known to the employees for improving the teaching and learning environment provided at the Malaysian higher education institutions.Design/methodology/approachData were collected using a personal administrated method made available to private higher education institutions academic members in five states with 30 or more employees. A total of 1,100 survey questionnaires were handed out, out of which 273 were collected and were usable (24.8 per cent response rate). The sample was checked for response and non-response bias. Results were tested using SPSS application and questionnaire tools.FindingsIt was essential to establish the knowledge management (KM) capacity in key areas such as the ability to recognise experts within the institution, leadership’s innovation, knowledge sharing and knowledge acquiring work culture, and technology usage. KM tools and techniques would help the institutions to meet their competitive goals; therefore, it is vital for HEIs to create KM awareness among the employees.Research limitations/implicationsSimilar to most studies, it is anticipated that the participants’ awareness of KM practices at their HEIs is very high. The samples were collected to evaluate the general view of KM awareness and how participants perceived KM practices. The total samples received for this study were expected; however, they were sufficient to study the impact.Practical implicationsThis paper provides support for the importance of KM practices and employees awareness at HEIs to enhance innovation and performance teaching and learning environment.Originality/valueThis paper is one of the first papers to find empirical support for the role of KM practices at HEIs. Further, the positioning of KM practices as a competitive tool can be considered as an influential factor to competitive advantage.

Digital Storytelling and Digital Literacy

2017 ◽  
pp. 151-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kijpokin Kasemsap
Keyword(s):  
Communication Technology ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Digital Storytelling ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Technical Skills ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Learning Performance ◽  
Modern Education ◽  
Information And Communication

This chapter reveals the overview of digital technologies; the overview of digital storytelling in education; and the overview of digital literacy in education. Digital storytelling and digital literacy are very important in modern education. Digital storytelling is used to improve student's learning through multimedia in the modern classrooms. Digital storytelling is the expressive medium that can explain even the most intricate topics in depth, integrating it with the rest of the curriculum. Digital literacy is the ability to use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills. Digital literacy leads to the great increases in information that can be conveniently accessed. The chapter argues that developing digital storytelling and digital literacy skills has the potential to improve both teaching and learning performance in modern education.

A Ranking Framework for Higher Education Institutions

2021 ◽  
pp. 40-61
Author(s):  
Andre Paul Calitz ◽  
Margaret Diane Cullen ◽  
Teresia Watiri Kanyutu
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
University Students ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Research Output ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
University Ranking ◽  
International Orientation ◽  
League Tables ◽  
Ranking Criteria

The use of league tables and rankings (LTRs) as a tool to rank or measure the performance of higher education institutions (HEIs) has grown in popularity. Research indicates that these ranking criteria are often discussed from the standpoint of governments, the HEI management, and the ranking institutions producing these LTR publications. The opinions of the students on the suitable ranking criteria used by ranking institutions are generally omitted. This chapter investigates the applicable criteria for ranking HEIs in South Africa, from the perspective of students. A survey was conducted to determine the most relevant university ranking criteria considered by university students. The results indicate that the students perceive resources and infrastructure, accreditation, international orientation, research output, faculty quality, and teaching and learning as the most relevant criteria for ranking HEIs. Managerial recommendations are provided for HEIs to address the ranking criteria rated important by students.

scholarly journals Integrated Reporting Implementation and Core Activities Disclosure in UK Higher Education Institutions

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
Mahalaxmi Adhikariparajuli ◽  
Abeer Hassan ◽  
Mary Fletcher
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Performance Indicator ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Research Quality ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Integrated Reporting ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Through integrated reporting (IR) and integrated thinking (IT), higher education institutions (HEIs) can engage future students, staff and other key stakeholders. This paper examines the impact of IR framework implementation on core activities disclosure within the UK HEIs. In particular, the authors explore the influence of the integrated thinking approach, intended to enhance the extent of the IR content elements, teaching and learning, internationalisation and research activities disclosure. The study is based on the annual reports of 123 UK HEIs over 3 years—2015–16, 2016–17 and 2017–18. Consistent with the predictions of legitimacy theory and the integrated thinking approach, the results show the extent that integrated reporting content elements and HEIs core activities disclosure practices have increased over the study period. The results also indicate that adoption of the IR framework, league table ranking position, key performance indicator reporting, size, research quality and graduate prospects all have significant positive influences on HEIs core activities disclosure. Based on the findings, the recommendations are that UK HEI governing and other regularity bodies, such as British Universities Finance Director Groups, Leadership Foundation in Higher Education and the Higher Education Funding Council, should consider development of voluntary integrated reporting guidelines and a core activities disclosure framework.

scholarly journals HIGHER EDUCATION: SUSTAINING THE FUTURE OF STUDENTS DURING A PANDEMIC

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naziema Jappie ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Disadvantaged Students ◽  
The South ◽  
Digital Platform ◽  
The Future ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 challenge is unprecedented; its scale still is not fully understood. Universities in the South Africa do have plans in place to continue the academic year in 2021 but have no idea to what extent education will resume to normal face to face activity. Although the future is unpredictable, given the uncertainty in the epidemiological and economic outlooks, universities have to ensure quality and sustainability for the medium and long-term implications for teaching, learning, the student experience, infrastructure, operations, and staff. Amongst the range of effects that COVID-19 will have on higher education this year, and possibly into future years, admission arrangements for students is one of the biggest. It is also one of the most difficult to manage because it is inherently cross sector, involving both schools and higher education. There is no template in any country of how to manage education during the pandemic. However, there are major concerns that exist, in particular, regarding the impact on learners from low income and disadvantaged groups. Many are vulnerable and cannot access the digital platform. Post 1994, the South African government placed emphasis on the introduction of policies, resources and mechanisms aimed at redressing the legacy of a racially and ethnically fragmented, unjust, dysfunctional and unequal education system inherited from apartheid. Many gains were made over the past two decades especially, in higher education, two of which were access and funding for the disadvantaged students to attend university. However, the pandemic in 2020 disrupted this plan, causing the very same disadvantaged students to stay at home without proper learning facilities, poor living conditions or no access to devices and data. The paper argues that the tensions and challenges that dominated the Covid-19 digital educational reform have resulted in a significant paradigm shift focused on out of classroom experiences as expressed in the new ways of teaching and learning and possibly leaving certain groups of students behind. Consideration is given to three broad areas within higher education in South Africa. Firstly the current dilemma of teaching and learning, secondly, the access or lack thereof to the digital platform and challenges facing students, and the thirdly, the issue of admission to higher education. All three areas of concern represent the degree to which we face educational disruption during the pandemic.

scholarly journals MANAGING INFORMATION FOR WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING AT HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Mousaion ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 13-28
Author(s):  
Roelien Brink ◽  
Martie Mearns ◽  
Tanya Du Plessis
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Information Management ◽  
South African ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Integrated Learning ◽  
Phenomenological Research Design ◽  
Work Integrated Learning

Higher education institutions (HEIs) in South Africa require teaching and learning to include work-integrated learning (WIL) within specific learning offerings. The different learning options provided by various faculties have unique and diverse procedures which justify different WIL approaches at HEIs. A lack of structure regarding the information management (IM) for WIL across departments results in different processes being followed, which can impact negatively on the optimal utilisation of WIL. Frameworks for IM for WIL, however, have been developed at international HEIs. Using a qualitative approach and phenomenological research design and working with these frameworks as well as the Theory of Motivated Information Management, the researchers collected data using semi-structured individual interviews and group discussions from the University of Cincinnati (UC) and the Northwestern University (NWU) in Illinois, United States (US). This article presents the findings of an IM framework from these two US universities. After research was conducted at a South African university, a conceptual framework was developed for the IM for WIL based on the framework from the international universities that may be implemented at HEIs in South Africa. With time this framework could betested in a number of settings that could lead to the development of a model for IM for WIL in the South African context. The article, however, reports on the findings of the two international universities only and the conceptual framework requires further testing and validation before it can be published.

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