Challenges and successes of implementing e-learning in ordinary primary schools in district 4, Tshwane South

Abstract

ELearning is a programme initiated by the Department of Education with the aim of improving teaching and learning in SA schools. The research study focused on the Challenges and Successes of implementing eLearning in ordinary primary schools in District 4, Tshwane South, since there were successes and at the same time challenges that I had observed in the implementation of eLearning. Qualitative method was used in the study because it is holistic; the study will look at relationships within a system of culture and focuses on understanding a given social setting, such as a school. Data was collected as semi-structured telephone interview from three eLearning schools. Participants were purposively selected from each school according to the role they play for eLearning implementation in their schools, for example the principal as the manager ensure that there are enough resources as well as eLearning implementer are fully capacitated. The study discovered that although there are successes experience by eLearning implementers and users, there are also eLearning challenges, among others, lack of trained eLearning educators and eLearning infrastructures. The study also found out that eLearning challenges impede the utilization of eLearning in primary schools. Based on the findings, some recommendations were suggested to solve eLearning challenges, such as: the project management should be in place at the beginning of the project, evaluation tools should bookend a project, managing eLearning project, training and preparation are needed, communication and information flow should be well managed. Detailed recommendations are discussed in detail in Chapter 5.