scholarly journals Information Literacy and Outcomes-Based Education in South Africa in the 21st Century: The Challenge of Disparities

2021 ◽  
pp. 217-225
Author(s):  
Sandy Zinn

In the six years since South Africa's first democratic election, there have been fundamental changes in our educational policy. An outcomes-based approach to education was introduced to Grade I in 1998. This paper will sketch some of our progressive, timely educational policies and the challenges of implementing them. It will examine the multilingual nature of South African society and its effects on publishing learning support material for outcomes-based education. This paper purports that information literacy as a cognitive concept was an idea ahead of its time in South Africa. With the low percentage of school librarians, how can we be positive for the future of school librarianship? The possibilities are there, and we have to grasp them with both hands. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are making inroads into our sites of learning. Information literacy is, in fact, emerging with strong links to the ICT world. Where are school librarians in all of this?

Author(s):  
Maria Noemi M. Moncada

Over the last decade, the development of new information and communication Technologies (ICT) has provided a variety of opportunities for people all over the world. But still, the vast majority of society remains untouched by the digital revolution, creating real disparities between and within countries and socioeconomic groups. Undoubtedly, ICT plays a vital role in the future of our societies especially in Education. School heads, decision makers, local authorities and school librarians have significant role to play in the development of information literacy in schools. School principals trained in ICT should initiate information literacy in their schools and should provide support to secure cooperative deals and development aid. In the Philippine Educational System, schools located in affluent cities especially those schools in the capital are fully equipped with information infrastructure but too many schools in secondary cities and remote provinces are deprived of the tools to access information.


10.28945/2679 ◽  
2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
ME Herselman ◽  
HR Hay

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.


Author(s):  
M.Z Ramorola

There has been a steady rise in the practice and performance of religious activities within the cyberspace since the 1980s. Many pastors have embraced the use of technology in their religious and ministerial practices. However, what would be more critical is to understand how technology, once adopted and operational would assume the function of support and fulfil religious members’ spiritual, emotional and social needs. This paper discusses technology use in religious organizations, particularly during the lockdown period of Covid-19 between March 2020 to the July 2021. The article uses South Africa as a research context to explore technology use and its role to address the challenges of support, space and practice. The paper employed a qualitative interpretive paradigm to source data from six members from different religious organizations in South Africa. Three themes arose from the data: information and communication technologies provide space for religious member to network; information and communication media facilitate religious practice and activities; and information and communication technologies enhance management of resources.


Vestnik MEI ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 135-142
Author(s):  
Marina A. Slepneva ◽  

The introduction of information and communication technologies into the educational process began more than twenty years ago, along with the rapid spreading of computers around the world. However, not all educational institutions have supported the inclusion of information and communication technologies into the educational process for the above-mentioned quite a long period of time. Most likely, this was due to insufficient financial investments in modernization. In addition, insufficient attention was initially paid to training of teachers for working with digital technologies. At present, when information and communication competence has already been included into all international standards for teachers, it turned out that neither graduates from teacher training institutes nor teachers who have been working for already a long period of time have sufficient competencies for using digital technologies in practice. A comparative analysis of Russian and European professional standards for teachers is carried out, and the competencies they should possess are considered. Various versions of the information literacy definitions are given, which have undergone changes in the technological development process. Special attention is paid to the requirements for competencies of foreign language teachers in the field of digital technologies. The list of the currently available digital tools, including mobile devices, is discussed. The students actively use such technologies to learn languages, but to yield a really positive effect, digital tools should be integrated directly into the educational process in a professional manner. The experience of work with digital technologies gained by the teachers of the NRU MPEI Department of Foreign Languages is considered. A conclusion has been drawn, according to which a high level of information literacy enables teachers not only to change their own pedagogical methods, but also to open new horizons for their students, who, in turn, gain access to high quality education.


Author(s):  
Tella Adeyinka

Information literacy is regarded as the basis for learning in our contemporary environment of rapid and sophisticated technological change. As information and communication technologies develop rapidly, and the information environment becomes increasingly complex, educators are recognizing the needs for learners to engage with the information environment as part of their formal learning processes. The achievement of lifelong learning and making citizens become information literate is the target of many nations as far as millennium development goals and vision 2015 are concerned. This chapter presents a literature review on information literacy and lifelong learning pointing out the relationship between the two and their benefits, and finally, the chapter makes recommendations to improve both programs.


Author(s):  
Tella Adeyinka

Information literacy is regarded as the basis for learning in our contemporary environment of rapid and sophisticated technological change. As information and communication technologies develop rapidly, and the information environment becomes increasingly complex, educators are recognizing the needs for learners to engage with the information environment as part of their formal learning processes. The achievement of lifelong learning and making citizens become information literate is the target of many nations as far as millennium development goals and vision 2015 are concerned. This chapter presents a literature review on information literacy and lifelong learning pointing out the relationship between the two and their benefits, and finally, the chapter makes recommendations to improve both programs.


2012 ◽  
pp. 1148-1164
Author(s):  
Cathrine T. Nengomasha

Governments have turned to the use of information and communication technologies with the aim of improving service delivery, encouraging citizens in the decision making process, and enhancing accountability, transparency, and effectiveness. Effective inclusive participation of citizens in the government of their country requires access to information through modern technologies. Access to information is vital for transparency, accountability, participation, and the rule of law – all hallmarks of democratic governance. This chapter looks at the role of librarians and records managers in promoting e-government. Their traditional role of collecting, organizing, preserving, and disseminating information places them in a very significant position in e-governance implementation. However, in an electronic environment, they face a number of challenges which include economic, technological, and information literacy. The role played by these professionals, and the challenges each meet are discussed. Some recommendations are provided to enhance the role of these professionals in e-government implementation.


2011 ◽  
pp. 1158-1170
Author(s):  
Udo Averweg ◽  
Siyabonga Manyanga

The availability of publicly accessible Internet networks and services are the first prerequisite in ensuring that all citizens and nations can benefit from information on the World Wide Web (UNESCO, 2003). Information and communication technologies (ICT) are playing an increasingly important role in the daily lives of citizens, revolutionising work and leisure and changing the rules of doing business. ICT encompass all technologies that facilitate the processing and transfer of information and communication services (United Nations, 2002). In the realm of government, ICT applications are promising to enhance the delivery of public goods and services to citizens not only by improving the process and management of government but also by redefining the traditional concepts of citizenship and democracy (Pascual, 2003). The spread of ICT brings hope that governments can transform (Pacific Council on International Policy, 2002). This article is organised as follows: • Background to the research is given • ICT adoption in the eThekwini Municipality in South Africa is described • The research goals, method, data gathering, and results are discussed • Management implications towards implementing a successful e-government strategy are given • Future trends are then suggested and a conclusion is given


Author(s):  
Chijioke J. Evoh

The purpose of this study is to examine the dynamics of collaborative partnership involving the private sector, government, and community groups in the application of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for expanding access to and improving the quality of secondary education in South Africa. Based on the operations and projects of Mindset Learn channel in secondary schools in South Africa, the study explores the enabling factors for the innovative improvement of secondary schooling with ICTs. On the other hand, the study also focused on the challenges facing Mindset Learn innovative approach to secondary education as well as the prospects of the sustaining this model of educational development in South Africa and other countries in Africa. Qualitative data collection methods were used to gather data from key informants.


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