Using multimedia technology for social up-liftment in deprived communities of Southern Africa

Abstract

In recent years individualized instruction and the use of computer technology to facilitate learning at all levels of education and training has received increased emphasis. The use of computers in education has been widely suggested as a possible solution to the considerable educational problems which face South Africa. Education is concerned with helping people be both more autonomous and more responsible to society in their choices. Education has for many years been provided along segregated lines. The challenge for people of South Africa is to offer education for all those who have been denied learning over the years. Many countries, developed and underdeveloped, are looking to computer-based instruction (CBI) as means of maximizing the impact of the amount of money spent per-pupil. CBI refers to computer-presented instruction that is individualized, interactive, and guided. Instructional technologies, such as telecommunication and computers, hold great promise as a means of increasing education cost efficiencies. South Africa, and very much Southern Africa, is in a process of change. Many people live in deprived socio-economic circumstances in their communities with a very low living standard. Basic knowledge, education and skills are lacking and therefore self-improvement is difficult. The type of education that is needed urgently in these deprived communities include: basic health care, child care, literacy skills, basic education, etc. South Africa spends billions of rands a year on health care - but it's people are far less healthy than in comparable countries. Developing countries are struggling to improve health care and enhance the quality of life for their people. Education is essential and is seen as an affective tool in long range development. It is not easy to improve the knowledge and skills of the people living in deprived communities, because of poverty and lack of communication skills. A further problem is that very few institutes are active in educating these deprived people, mainly because of lack of funds, manpower and equipment. The solution is to take education to these communities and offer it to them in an easy, basic format to use when desired. The lack of skills forms a major obstacle to the development of a modem economy able to support a decent living standard for all our people. Educating these people will definitely contribute to uplifting the socio-economic circumstances and basic way of life. Modem technology, re multimedia technology, can be used with great success to address these problems. Multimedia is the integration of graphics, animation, text, sound, and video with the interactive power of the computer. Why use multimedia? Multimedia brings to bear dynamic visual information. We, as human beings, process that data very efficiently. The power of visual information combined with interactivity allows every person to discover knowledge in the pattern that fits their paradigm for learning - the way they learn best, individualized. Zero travel time, flexible scheduling, self-pacing, high retention, continuous availability, and a non-threatening learning environment are all positive benefits of this technology-based learning.