Challenges and best practices in the use of e-learning technologies for teaching and learning at UOTs : a case study of the Durban University of Technology

Abstract

This study reflected on the current context of the South African higher education landscape by focussing on the role that technology plays in academia for successful teaching and learning, with particular reference to elearning. Higher education institutions (HEIs) are re-designing their curricula to merge existing teaching and learning content with technological practices and applications, with the goal of producing appropriately qualified graduates who will be globally recognised and best suited for industry. Literature on the subject revealed that technology-enhanced learning, or e-learning, has peaked in most parts of the world. However, each educational institution is unique and the challenges and opportunities posed by e-learning differ. The uniqueness differs because the technological metamorphosis evolves around resources, skills sets, infrastructure and the mind-sets of lecturers and students. The common belief is that technology empowers people, enabling them to do what they want to do, promoting creativity and productivity. It was necessary (before researching the technology applicable for teaching and learning) to understand how teaching and learning occurred in HEIs. The findings revealed the learning and teaching processes, as expounded by the Constructivist Theory, as that which not only involves the transmission of information, nor is it deemed only as the acquisition of knowledge. The student is an active participant and the lecturer ensures the facilitation of the learning process. Technology adds a further dimension to teaching and learning practices, justifying e-learning in pedagogies. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the challenges experienced and best-practices adopted in the use of e-learning technologies for teaching and learning at Universities of Technology (UoTs), with specific reference to the Durban University of Technology (DUT). An empirical research approach was adopted, with surveys being conducted with both teaching staff and students at DUT. Apart from determining the challenges and best-practices experienced by lecturers and students at DUT, the study has produced recommendations and intervention strategies to address the challenges of teaching and learning with e-learning. The development of a framework of strategies concluded the study, highlighting the challenges of e-learning while providing recommended intervention strategies, best-practices and a phased implementation plan. However, while this study focussed on the challenges and best-practices for e-learning in HEIs, the driving force in 2020 for institutions of higher learning to embrace technology as a teaching and learning tool was the Covid-19 pandemic. The study was already in progress when it was hindered by the pandemic. The Covid-19 pandemic spread at an unfathomable rate, resulting in medical institutions being unable to cope with the increased number of patients and fatalities, while businesses buckled under the strain of an economic downturn. Statistics revealed that as at 25 May 2021, the virus infected 167 million people globally, while claiming the lives of 3,47 million people. In South Africa alone, 55 874 people succumbed to the virus. Lockdown measures were necessary to curtail the spread of the virus. HEIs were also unfortunately forced to close their doors to students. The forced closure of HEIs did not deter lecturers and students from engaging in teaching and learning, but it forced a move away from the traditional teaching and learning practices. The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the need globally for all educational sectors to invest every effort into moving towards digital curricula. Even without the forceful nature of the Covid-19 pandemic, DUT had already embarked on the use of digital technology to enable teaching and learning. The impact of the global pandemic provided a platform to further highlight the challenges of using technology for teaching and learning, as well as the bestpractices adopted at the institution. Many significant findings arose from analysing the data produced from both the staff and the student surveys. The findings provided a plethora of rich information which aided in the development of the framework addressing the challenges experienced by staff (rigid teaching practices; the lack of access to technology; the lack of skills; poor infrastructure), as well as those experienced by the students (technology is a distraction to weaker students, the lack of concentration in online learning, the lack of human contact, the lack of access to technology). The findings relating to how the lecturers and students perceive the usefulness of technology in teaching and learning, as well as their perceived ease with the use of technological devices, are clearly depicted in the underpinnings of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). This is evident from the approach adopted by lecturers and students in the use of technology in higher education. The recommendations made in the study take into account the plight of the “have-nots”. The findings revealed that many students are not equipped to engage in e-learning as access to devices and data, as well as proper networking infrastructure, and a conducive learning environment are challenges. The recommendations suggest that HEIs need to be attentive to students who are less privileged or who emerge from disadvantaged backgrounds and hence need the minimum essentials for e-learning. In seeking solutions to the e-learning challenges in higher education, the Social Justice Theory and principles are of fundamental importance. Any other approach could result in solving technology-related challenges, but would leave those who require the support the most outside the ambit of transformation in higher education. The study has not only produced recommendations for addressing the elearning challenges, but has also developed a phased implementation plan for e-learning implementation at DUT.