Desmond Govender
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Computer Science Education, Faculty Member
Research productivity is one of the core functions of a university and it plays a crucial role for a nation to develop and find its standing in our global world. This study examined the effect of ICT adoption and training on the research... more
Research productivity is one of the core functions of a university and it plays a crucial role for a nation to develop and find its standing in our global world. This study examined the effect of ICT adoption and training on the research productivity of university academics. The study was conducted at four public universities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, whilst the part of the study on ICT training was conducted at one of the four universities. This study was conducted both in the form of a survey of 103 university academics and in the form of experimental sessions, where the use of ICT (EndNote, NVivo, AMOS, SPSS, and Turnitin) with training was used for research, the use of ICT without training was used for research and, finally, a session where a manual system (without using research software/tools and training) was used for research. The final results of the research revealed that the use of ICT tools (EndNote, NVivo, AMOS, SPSS, and Turnitin) with training increases research productivity as compared to using ICT tools without training, and/ or using a manual system (without using research software/ tools and training). A statistically proven model is recommended with a view to increase research productivity of academics.
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The commercialization of higher education institutions’ (HEIs’) research within the South African National System of Innovation (NSI) has received prominence in the post-apartheid era. Intra-African NSI dialogue to draw out... more
The commercialization of higher education institutions’ (HEIs’) research within the South African National System of Innovation (NSI) has received prominence in the post-apartheid era. Intra-African NSI dialogue to draw out context-specific and generic country experiences that could inform policy developments, and initiate and accelerate strengthening of research commercialization is important. However, there is a lack of data for a comprehensive and informed overview of the role of HEIs in commercialization of research and the main challenges they face. This paper intends to propose a more comprehensive platform for promoting, building, and managing commercialization of research. This mixed-method research confirmed that South African HEIs combine education, research and community engagement, but their base needs to be strengthened for research commercialization to occur. Findings identified that HEIs’ commercialization of research is constrained by lack of commercialization skills and low numbers of qualified staff, brain drain, aging of faculty, absence of intellectual property (IP) policy measures, and focus on lecturing rather than research-focused mandates. Proposed strategies to improve research commercialization should include development and implementation of fair IP policies and guidelines, bolstering of human and organizational capabilities at HEIs and research institutes, and strengthening periodic reviewing by the National Intellectual Property Management Office.
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This paper presents a model regarding Information and Communication Technology (ICT) (SPSS, AMOS, Turnitin, EndNote and NVivo) with training to increase the research productivity of university academics. This aim was achieved by examining... more
This paper presents a model regarding Information and Communication Technology (ICT) (SPSS, AMOS, Turnitin, EndNote and NVivo) with training to increase the research productivity of university academics. This aim was achieved by examining academic staff (ICT uses with training) to increase research productivity and the study was experimental and conducted at a public university in South Africa. The target population for the experiment consisted of academic staff from a university. The questionnaire was used based on two the theoretical frameworks, namely Technology Acceptance Model and Training Needs Assessment Model. The data were analyzed using WarpPLS 4.0 software. The main results of this study are a model, derived from the experiment and it has a high significant impact ( ) on research productivity. In this regard, universities need to formulate strategies on ICT with training for researchers to use each software package in relation to improve their research productivity
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The use of mobile devices in learning has gained popularity among schools around the world. The purpose of this paper was to investigate the possibility of mobile devices being used to improve student academic performance in a developing... more
The use of mobile devices in learning has gained popularity among schools around the world. The purpose of this paper was to investigate the possibility of mobile devices being used to improve student academic performance in a developing country, Botswana. The research design for this study was a descriptive and interpretive study that was analysed quantitatively. Questionnaires and interviews were also used to evaluate students' perceptions and to determine their level of understanding with the use of mobile devices. The sample for the study was four classes of form four and form five students. The findings point out that many students have access to mobile devices with different applications of their preference. If given the opportunity, these devices can be used to enhance learning in general which can bring about change in academic performance. The findings led to the conclusion that, indeed mobile devices can play a vital role in the education of developing countries and bring about a change in academic learning.
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Learning management systems (LMSs) are an important component of most universities. However, in some universities there are clusters of faculty who do not make use of LMSs. An LMS is a component of technology - a driver for enhanced... more
Learning management systems (LMSs) are an important component of most universities. However, in some universities there are clusters of faculty who do not make use of LMSs. An LMS is a component of technology - a driver for enhanced learning and teaching. This study investigated the dominant faculty attitudes towards integration of an LMS into teaching and learning, since successful implementation of an LMS in an institution starts with instructors/lecturers embracing the system, which in turn initiates and promotes students' use of an LMS. Faculty perceptions of an LMS and factors or constructs that may influence their use or intention to use one were explored. An online survey questionnaire was sent to all faculty members within a faculty that services teacher education within the university. A quantitative approach was employed, using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. Descriptive and inferential statistics were determined and responses to the open-ended survey questions analysed. While, members of faculty were keen to adopt or tried to use the LMS, they had reservations about whether conditions existed to fully support its use in their teaching. The technology competence was perceived to be insufficient, which could be a contributor to the slow adoption of the LMS. Faculty managers must encourage and foster the use of LMSs by staff, this will have a positive ripple effect on student and mentor teachers and learners at large.
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The understanding of basic constructs in computer programming has always been seen by students as challenging, especially for novice programmers with no prior exposure at the school level. This paper emanates from a larger study and sets... more
The understanding of basic constructs in computer programming has always been seen by students as challenging, especially for novice programmers with no prior exposure at the school level. This paper emanates from a larger study and sets out to explore the use of robotics to enhance the learning of computer programming by asking: what are students’ experiences of using robotics when learning to program? Guided by Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle, a series of workshops were conducted that promotes hands-on learning and encourages the use of tools in the learning process for knowledge development. The site for this study was a university campus in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The sample was composed of 75 students, most of whom were first-year students who had just started a computer course and had no prior exposure to Computer Programming. The findings showed that the meaningful adoption of Kolb’s experiential learning has proven to be successful in the progressional development of...
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Keeping students engaged and motivated is a challenge. Digital game-based learning is considered an approach that can help towards achieving this goal. The study aimed to understand the influence digital game-based learning (DGBL) has on... more
Keeping students engaged and motivated is a challenge. Digital game-based learning is considered an approach that can help towards achieving this goal. The study aimed to understand the influence digital game-based learning (DGBL) has on students learning to code in Information Technology. This study used an intervention of digital game-based learning to teach grade eight learners programming in three schools prior to COVID-19. Questionnaires and focus group interviews were used to gather students’ backgrounds and learning experiences. 89 students and three educators participated in the study. The overall attitude towards DGBL is positive with a high mean score of 4.77. Learning real-world skills, in developing simple games, as was done in this in this study, can equip one with the tools essential for success in a workplace. Keywords: digital game-based learning (DGBL), programming, computational thinking learning motivation
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The emphasis on programming and robotics owing to the unfolding of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on the African continent has led the South African National Department of Education to propose a new subject in Grades R to 9. Hence, the... more
The emphasis on programming and robotics owing to the unfolding of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on the African continent has led the South African National Department of Education to propose a new subject in Grades R to 9. Hence, the training and development of pre-service teachers is crucial so that they can respond to the skills needed in the Digital Age. This preliminary study set out to explore and gauge pre-service teachers’ experiences of programming and robotics. Programming is perceived as being difficult and challenging because of its abstract nature. Block-based programming has gained popularity in introducing the novice to programming concepts. This paper presents a case of nine computer science pre-service teachers from a South African university and their experiences of physical computer programming using Scratch for Arduino. Data was collected from unstructured observations during a practical session followed by a semi-structured group interview. The meaningful implementation of physical computing was supported by Rogers’s (Freedom to learn: A view of what education might become, Charles Merrill, 1969) experiential learning theory. A prominent finding was that physical programming affords the opportunity to learn electronics and programming simultaneously, making programming relevant and interesting. Programming with Scratch for Arduino takes advantage of the fact that an Arduino is a physical device when paired with Scratch, further making these concepts accessible in a concrete manner.
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Instructors often experience difficulties in selecting and sequencing relevant content for deployment into learning management systems. Human error and subjectivity is apparent. This study focuses on integrating learning management... more
Instructors often experience difficulties in selecting and sequencing relevant content for deployment into learning management systems. Human error and subjectivity is apparent. This study focuses on integrating learning management systems and massive open online courses with the goal of eliminating the human element in uploading content. As far as data sharing is concerned, learning management systems and massive open online courses have known weaknesses. The proposed integration aims to reach a tradeoff between the two systems. A requirements elicitation exercise was conducted towards identification of the component units of a hybrid system. The study utilized a mixed method approach to realize the foundation of the integrated design model. The findings, based on evaluation, showed that experts established completeness of the software design model. They, however, expressed the need for the designs to be extended towards accommodating artificial intelligence features. The proposed ...
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This paper aimed to compare Information and Communication Technology (ICT) (SPSS, AMOS, Turnitin, EndNote and NVivo) use with training versus ICT (SPSS, AMOS, Turnitin, EndNote and NVivo) use without training to increase the research... more
This paper aimed to compare Information and Communication Technology (ICT) (SPSS, AMOS, Turnitin, EndNote and NVivo) use with training versus ICT (SPSS, AMOS, Turnitin, EndNote and NVivo) use without training to increase the research productivity of university academics. The aim of this study was achieved by comparing models using ICT with training versus using ICT without training to increase the research productivity of university academics. This study was experimental, and the target population for the experiment consisted of academic staff from a university. The data was analysed using WarpPLS 4.0 software. The main results of this study is models, derived from the experiment, and the findings of the results will help universities to realise that ICT use with training has the potential to significantly increase research productivity of university academics.
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Forming university exam schedules in Southern Africa has always been difficult. It is a scheduling problem with strict rules (hard constraints) and flexible ones (soft constraints). Students must take a final exam for most courses they... more
Forming university exam schedules in Southern Africa has always been difficult. It is a scheduling problem with strict rules (hard constraints) and flexible ones (soft constraints). Students must take a final exam for most courses they are enrolled in each semester, held in a supervised setting. Therefore, finding a suitable time and location for each student is a common challenge. This paper proposes a solution to this scheduling problem based on the behaviour of bees, using a model called BSet, which uses simulated robotic devices to find and schedule courses. The results show that this approach is efficient and effective in creating exam schedules.
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Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use in the education sector has gained momentum ever since the outbreak of the COVID – 19 pandemic. This study critically analysed the use of ICT tools by secondary school teachers to... more
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use in the education sector has gained momentum ever since the outbreak of the COVID – 19 pandemic. This study critically analysed the use of ICT tools by secondary school teachers to ascertain if they had an influence on learner academic performance during the era of the COVID – 19 pandemic. A mixed approach which employed both the use of quantitative and qualitative research methods was used to collect data for this study. The finding of this study showed that information communication technology tools have a positive influence on improving academic performance. The study recommended that schools should be provided with enough and relevant resources needed to make a huge impact on education. Teachers and facilitators should be trained on the best use and pedagogies which involves the use of ICT in teaching and learning. In addition, the Ministry of Education and Skills Development Botswana and all the concerned education stakeholders ...
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Governments around the world have temporarily closed educational institutions in an attempt to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This has culminated in the largest school disruption in recent history. This study... more
Governments around the world have temporarily closed educational institutions in an attempt to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This has culminated in the largest school disruption in recent history. This study explored learners’ awareness of using smart educational systems (social networks) to support remote learning (e-learning). The study examined three constructs: Motivation, Active role, and Interaction, based on the theory of Connectivism. These constructs contributed to the development of a survey used to gather perspectives on social networks in education from a group of Business Studies learners in a South African high school. Data was collected from a sample of Business Studies learners (n=133) just before the COVID-19 pandemic. The results show there was an awareness of the use of social networks in education among learners. Therefore, social networks had the potential to support distance education during the pandemic.
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Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have been growing incredibly for the past twenty years in most sectors; however, much needs to be achieved within the education fraternity itself. Teachers are still relying on traditional... more
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have been growing incredibly for the past twenty years in most sectors; however, much needs to be achieved within the education fraternity itself. Teachers are still relying on traditional teaching methods and Botswana is currently far behind in benefiting from ICT usage in the classroom. This study critically analysed the ICT infrastructure found in Botswana’s secondary schools, assesses teachers’ skills, knowledge, confidence, and their perception of the integration of ICT in teaching and learning. A mixed-methods approach was used to collect data from 350 respondents. The results revealed that ICT use and integration in Botswana secondary schools during the Covid – 19 period posed some challenges even though it was beneficial to an extent where there was learner academic improvement. This has been influenced by factors such as lack of skills, lack of confidence in the use of technology by teachers, and lack of ICT equipment in school...
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Educational technology is widely used in higher education. The implementation requires the integration of learning systems. The integrated systems can be evaluated to see if they assist learners in achieving learning outcomes by... more
Educational technology is widely used in higher education. The implementation requires the integration of learning systems. The integrated systems can be evaluated to see if they assist learners in achieving learning outcomes by interacting with relevant content. The study focused on inferential statistics arising from the technology acceptance evaluation of a software design model. The proposed software design model automatically combines data to integrate a Learning Management System (LMS) with Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). The inferential statistics explain the acceptance or rejection levels of the software design model by the stakeholders (lecturers, students, and universities at large) based on the Technology Acceptance Model and Task-Technology Fit. Google forms were used to obtain information on the software design model. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was applied for data analysis because the data were non-normally distributed. The study’s results...
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This paper is based on a comparative analysis of a manual system versus ICT use without training and its effect on research productivity. The aim of this study was achieved by comparing models. This study was experimental based and the... more
This paper is based on a comparative analysis of a manual system versus ICT use without training and its effect on research productivity. The aim of this study was achieved by comparing models. This study was experimental based and the target population was taken from a university. Collected data was analyzed using the WarpPLS 4.0 software. The results of the study show that SPSS, Turnitin and NVivo for data analysis have high significance values on the research productivity than a manual system. On the other hand, AMOS, EndNote and NVivo for literature review have higher significance on the research productivity than ICT use without training.
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The priority for educational stakeholders worldwide is the quality of students' academic performance. The variables that contribute effectively to the academic performance of students at all educational levels have been an issue... more
The priority for educational stakeholders worldwide is the quality of students' academic performance. The variables that contribute effectively to the academic performance of students at all educational levels have been an issue of interest to stakeholders in education, trainers, policy makers, administrators and researchers. The purpose of this study was to critically examine the factors influencing academic performance of distance e-learners in a Nigerian university. This study adopted a quantitative approach. A questionnaire was used to collect data. The study was conducted in four selected study centres of the university and a total of 1,025 participants completed the survey-based questionnaire. The researcher used ANOVA to determine the effects of each of the factors on academic performance and the data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings of this study indicated that there are seven factors which influence academic performance of distance e-learners. These are students' ICT literacy level, frequency of engagement with ICT, marital status, previous academic performance, hours spent on the Internet per day, hours spent on social media per day and family size. In addition, the findings indicated that family income and home background do not influence academic performance of distance e-learners. Based on the findings of the research, recommendations have been made which will assist Nigerian university policy makers and course developers with a view to improving the academic performance of distance e-learners.
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The difficulty of learning to program has long been identified amongst novices. This study explored the benefits of teaching a problem solving strategy by comparing students’ perceptions and attitudes towards problem solving before and... more
The difficulty of learning to program has long been identified amongst novices. This study explored the benefits of teaching a problem solving strategy by comparing students’ perceptions and attitudes towards problem solving before and after the strategy was implemented in secondary schools. Based on self-efficacy theory, students’ problem solving self-efficacy as well as teachers’ self-efficacy were investigated, showing that both students’ and teachers’ self-efficacy may have benefited from the explicit instruction. This would imply that teaching problem solving explicitly should be encouraged to increase self-efficacy to program.
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The integration of Internet-based collaborative tools such as Web 2.0 technologies to facilitate the design process has rendered collaborative design a chaotic practice filled with controversy and uncertainty, with the inevitable risk of... more
The integration of Internet-based collaborative tools such as Web 2.0 technologies to facilitate the design process has rendered collaborative design a chaotic practice filled with controversy and uncertainty, with the inevitable risk of unintended consequences. The purpose of this study was to trace the sources of design controversy in a Web 2.0 facilitated collaborative design process. The study employed an Actor Network Theory (ANT) methodological framework to explore design controversy in five design teams comprising of 4 to 6 undergraduate engineering students. Data was constituted by following the traces left by the actors, both human and nonhumans, their actions and the associations they made and broke as they worked to provide a solution to a design problem. All of these traces were captured on a Web platform. Our position was that of non-participant observers to allow the participants to speak for themselves. In addition, some key participants (spokespersons) were interview...