Abstract:
The emergence of South Africa into the global sphere after years of isolation, as
well as international political maneuverings, trade agreements and social
exchanges, necessitate a re-consideration, and sometimes a re-design, of its political,
economic developmental, social policies and in particular it's tertiary educational
strategies. Therefore, the employment of state of the art instructional
technologies, as instruments of development, justifies thorough scrutiny as well.
The University of Pretoria acknowledges the importance of utilising information
technology, by applying a flexible learning model in the procurement of its academic
programmes. Recently web-based post-graduate support programmes
were introduced with the aim of enhancing learners' information technology literacy
skills whilst at the same time affording the convenience of pursuing their
studies from remote locations. The redesigned programmes in particular, focuses
on the specific needs of the adult learner, thus following the principles of an
andragogical learning approach. This mode of distance education also allows
learners to engage in international collaboratories, for example the KELP
(Knowledge Exchange & Learning Partnerships-programme) and COTRCO
(Collaboratory on Technology-Enhanced Learning Communities) initiatives.
