An analysis of electronic learning as a means of tax education in South Africa

Abstract

The arrival of the Internet and the World Wide Web has had a radical impact on education and in particular the delivery of education (instruction). Through these channels, alternative modes of delivering instruction have been created. Over the past few years, the use of electronic methods as a means of delivering instruction for academic purposes has increased, not only in Taxation but many other subjects as well. The ability to free itself from time and space, as well as being more convenient and flexible, are but some of the advantages of this type of learning Even though e-learning in South Africa is in its early stages, it is expected to grow significantly, owing primarily to the elimination of previous inhibiting factors like the non-availability of broadband/ADSL, unsatisfactory internet speeds, the lack of essential hardware, limited network access and poor web technology. It is therefore important for educators and course designers in South Africa to become familiar with the current issues facing e-learning and the possible solutions to these issues. In this study, a literature review critically analysing electronic methods as a means of delivering instruction on Taxation in South Africa was performed. The major issues currently facing the e-learning environment were identified, along with the possible solutions to these issues. AFRIKAANS : Die Internet en die Wereld Wye Web het ‘n radikale invloed op opvoedkunde en meer spesifiek, die lewering van onderrig (instruksies), gehad. Deur middel van hierdie hulpmiddels is daar alternatiewe metodes vir lewering van onderrig geskep. Die gebruik van hierdie elektroniese opvoedkundige metodes vir die lewering van onderrig vir akademiese doeleindes het oor die afgelope paar jaar vermeerder, nie net vir transaksiedoeleindes nie, maar ook vir baie ander vakgebiede. Die vermoë om nie gebind te wees aan tyd en spasie nie, asook die gerief en aanpasbaarheid van die medium, is slegs ‘n paar voordele van hierdie wyse van onderrig. Elektroniese onderrig word in Suid-Afrika beskou om in die begin stadium te wees, maar daar is verwagtinge van uitsonderlike groei aangesien vorige beperkinge soos broadband/ADSL beskikbaarheid, Internet spoed, vereiste hardeware, netwerktoeganklikheid en swak webtegnologie nou begin afneem. Dus is dit belangrik vir opvoeders en kursusbeplanners in Suid-Afrika om hulself te vereenselwig met die huidige probleme wat elektroniese onderrig in die gesig staar, asook die moontlike oplossings vir hierdie probleme. In hierdie literatuurstudie is daar , wat ‘n analise aangaande die elektroniese metodes as ‘n wyse van onderrig in belasting in Suid-Afrika gedoen het. Die groot struikelblokke asook moontlike oplossings wat die elektroniese onderrig tans in die gesig staar, is geïdentifiseer.