Repository logo
 

Research Publications (Arts and Design)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/214

Browse

Start date: 2023Subject: search.filters.subject.Technology

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Assessing teacher-lecturer competency in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (steam) in KwaZulu-Natal
    (Alpinus Publication, 2024) Buthelezi, Simphiwe; Cele, Thobani; Nxumalo, Londeka; Zondi, Bonginkosi
    The convergence of technology and digital communications has revolutionized most businesses, including education and training facilities. Advances in technology has completely transformed the world of work. Being well-educated is no longer sufficient. What matters is the possession of critical essential talents, skill sets, and capabilities. South Africa is characterised by high inequality, poverty and high unemployment. Thus, provision of quality education is one of strategies that could be employed to address such developmental challenges. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess teacher-lecturer competency in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) in KwaZulu-Natal. This study was conducted in different parts of KwaZulu-Natal province with participants from various schools and institutions of higher learning. The study was commissioned due to skills deficit that is perpetrated by, amongst other things, the poorly functioning basic education system, inadequate infrastructure, shortage of STEAM teacher supply, and skills mismatch. The study employed an exploratory research design, and the survey was used as the research strategy. Among other findings, the study found that while a significant portion of educators expressed a commitment to promoting reflective and critical thinking among learners and students, inadequate STEAM equipment and infrastructure continued to be the primary challenge in implementing STEAM. Furthermore, the study found that there is a majority support for the STEAM centres which suggests a positive inclination towards their establishment, underlining the perceived value they could bring to the educational landscape for both teachers and students. This study recommends a targeted professional development programs for educators at primary and secondary schools. In addition, this study advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration among educators in primary and secondary schools which must be pioneered by the department of education. It was further recommended that knowledge exchange and knowledge transfer be facilitated, and specialized training in the development and use of technology, software, and other teaching materials for educators in primary and secondary schools be provided
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Exploring the adoption of ChatGPT in higher education : a case of lecturers in a University of Technology in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
    (IATED, 2024-07) Mlambo, Philani Brian
    ChatGPT has been regarded by many scholars as the innovation of the century since its inception in November 2022. This is mainly because of the things that are out of this world that ChatGPT is capable of doing and that has led to many heated arguments about using ChatGPT in higher education settings. As a result, this qualitative study sought to explore the adoption of ChatGPT in higher education by getting the views of eight (8) lecturers through semi-structured interviews. The data from the semi structured interviews was analyzed using a thematic analysis to gauge the lecturer's view about the adoption of ChatGPT in higher education. This study adopted a convenience sampling technique to select the eight (8) lecturers that formed part of this study. This study responded to the objectives of this study through the aid of the Diffusion of Innovation Theory which underpinned this study. The findings from the semi-structured interviews indicated that ChatGPT is a tool that will promote laziness in students and take away the ability to think critically. Findings further revealed that most lectures have engaged with ChatGPT, and they were mesmerized by the ability ChatGPT has. Based on the findings, this study recommends that students should be taught how to use ChatGPT as a supporting tool for teaching and learning rather than taking ChatGPT as a tool to do everything for them which will impact the kind of graduates, they will be upon graduating in higher education.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Investigating ChatGPT : a threat or benefit to higher education?
    (Futurity Research Publishing, 2024-03-13) Mlambo, Philani Brian
    Over the past years, technology has been on the rise and this rise has necessitated the need for technology developers to be on their toes in ensuring that new technologies are developed to keep up with the fast-paced technology rise. Consequently, the rise in artificial intelligence brought ChatGPT which has been seen as the most advanced chatbot that has ever been created. However, scholars have mixed views about ChatGPT in the context of higher education which has compelled the need to investigate ChatGPT to gauge whether it is a threat or a benefit to higher education. This study aimed to investigate lecturers' views about ChatGPT, ascertain whether ChatGPT is a threat or benefit to higher education, and get lecturers' views if whether or not ChatGPT can be used as an official academic tool to support both lecturers and students in doing their academic work. To carry out the objectives of this study, a qualitative research approach was employed, and data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Data collected was analysed using a thematic analysis. Furthermore, convenience sampling was used to select eight (8) lecturers to gather their in-depth understanding of ChatGPT. Findings of this study indicate that lecturers view ChatGPT as a source of information. Findings further revealed that there are mixed views among lecturers on whether ChatGPT is a threat or benefit to higher education. This study recommends that there should be guidelines and policies to guide the usage of ChatGPT so that students and lecturers will not misuse it.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Factors contributing to resistance in the use of information and communications technology : a snapshot on engineering graphics and design teachers
    (Society for Research and Knowledge Management, 2023-10-30) Mlambo, Philani Brian; Maeko, Mogale Simon Albert; Khoza, Samuel Dumazi
    The prevalent adoption of ICT in education has compelled even EGD teachers to integrate ICT in teaching and learning of EGD. However, not every teacher understands the importance of using technology in EGD lessons, even though it offers a lot of benefits for both teachers and learners. Many scholars have attributed this resistance of teachers to many factors, such as gender, age, and attitudes as well as the fact that teachers do not perceive technology as important as they believe that traditional methods are still bearing fruit. In an attempt to understand the actual reasons behind teachers’ resistance to ICT integration in EGD lessons, this study followed a qualitative approach, and semi-structured interviews were used to gather data. Purposive sampling was used to identify 11 EGD teachers to take part in this study. Furthermore, the study employed the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework, which puts emphasis on the acceptance and adoption of technology. This framework assisted in pinpointing factors contributing to ICT resistance and how teachers can accept technology for the purpose of teaching and learning. The findings show that factors such as age, lack of proper skills to use technology, lack of exposure to technology at the tertiary level, attitude, and shortage of resources in schools are contributing to teachers’ resistance to using technology. The study recommends that the department of education should train teachers and provide schools with relevant ICT resources.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Teachers’ readiness towards the integration of information and communications technology in teaching and learning of engineering graphics and design in KwaZulu-Natal
    (OpenEd Network, 2023-09) Mlambo, Philani Brian; Maeko, Mogale Simon Albert; Khoza, Samuel Dumazi
    The integration of information and communications technology (ICT) into the education system has led to changes in the way teaching and learning are conducted. These changes have necessitated the need for teachers to have ICT skills that would help them integrate ICT into teaching and learning (T&L). Hence, this qualitative study was conducted to investigate the state of readiness of Engineering Graphics and Design (EGD) teachers in the integration of ICT in T&L in uMgungundlovu secondary schools. Convenience sampling was employed to select nine EGD teachers to partake in this study. Semi-structured interviews and classroom observations were used to collect data. Data gathered from interviews was subjected to thematic analysis, and data gathered from observations was reported descriptively. The findings of this study revealed that EGD teachers in uMgungundlovu District are ready to integrate ICT into the T&L of EGD, as they indicated that ICT integration in EGD lessons is essential. The study further revealed a shortage of ICT resources and a lack of ICT skills among teachers, which hinder the successful integration of ICT. The study recommends that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) provide teachers with ICT training so that those who are technically disadvantaged can be equipped with relevant ICT skills. The study further recommends that DBE give the schools an AutoCAD license, as it has been proven to be a useful ICT tool.