Research in Perceptions and Models for Distance Learning in Computer Science and Information Systems in South Africa

There is an increasing need for distance learning in South African education institutions.The South African government emphasises the importance of distance learning.However, lecturers are not always trained in the teaching methods, and often do not have the necessary knowledge and experience of the methods to teach distance learning successfully.This study aimed to identify different methods which can be used to ensure effective management of distance education in the field of Computer Science and Information Systems, keeping in mind that this field of study has practical and theoretical components.Methods studied included: web-based education systems, virtual classrooms, experiential learning/simulation learning and interactive-/multimedia lessons.Research was done to determine the views of experienced and inexperienced lecturers with regard to distance learning.The views and experience of students regarding distance learning were also investigated.The obtained results indicate that in general, distance educators/lecturers do not necessarily offer modules consisting of both theoretical and practical components.Contact learning educators/lecturers would prefer receiving additional training if they are required to offer distance learning.Results indicate that the majority of contact learning students would prefer studying through contact learning rather than distance learning, while the majority of distance learners believe that if there had not been contributing factors to choosing distance learning, their first choice of education would be contact learning.