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Project leader: Prof.Elsabe Cloete The primary concerns of this research project includes -
This project supports different learning scenarios that are realized through multimedia and telecommunication technology. Every scenario is characterized by the profile, circumstances and individualization of the learners. In one framework, learners are in an asynchronous (offline) setting that is characterised by the independence of location, time and learning speed of the learner. These learners may be using courseware distributed by disk or courseware downloaded from the Internet. In a second setting, learners are found in a synchronous learning environment. This is also called an online learning environment where students and lecturers share a virtual classroom in the same physical time frame. There are fundamental conceptual differences between these two environments. It is tenable to say that the courseware of the two settings also have an inherent distinction in design. In the asynchronous setting, the learner does not necessarily use the courseware sequentially. The learner may use the material interactively and choose to skip certain levels of detail and may concentrate and spend more time on others. In a synchronous environment, the leaner work through a sequential lecture at the pace steered by the lecturer but have the advantage of immediate correction and feedback. Many Unisa students do not have Internet access while others simply cannot afford the cost associated with synchronous learning. This is the typical profile of the learners that will benefit from an asynchronous learning environment. There are however groups of students with Internet access - especially in certain modules, and others can gain access through Unisa computer laboratories. Group sessions and virtual classrooms for certain modules are, and will be a valuable teaching tool in the Unisa context. It is also possible to host synchronous learning sessions for students wishing to participate. For example, students who attend the discussion class of a particular module once a year, may benefit by having various virtual sessions throughout the year. The importance of both learning environments is valued. A key component of computer-based instruction is the ability to use media other than static information which really discerns between paper-based and computer-based courseware. The Department of Computer Science and Information Systems at Unisa is currently working in collaboration with the Institute of Informatik IV at the University of Mannheim, Germany on many fields of research embraced by this project. We list some of the most outstanding topics: Telecommunications Environment
Integrated User Interface
Courseware
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