An investigation on e-learning initiatives to promote education in South African Universities

An analysis of the situation with respect to South Africa indicates that there are significant challenges faced by South African education system in providing digital accessibility to students. The major challenges are faced especially in the areas of digital connectivity such internet accessibility in remote and disadvantaged areas. In addition to this, there are other issues such as infrastructure availability, equity with respect to internet accessibility and also the teachers’ qualification in handling online resources, and all these issues further contribute towards ineffectiveness with respect to South African education system. However there are significant e-learning initiatives that are undertaken by both the government as well as the private sector such as assignment writing service in South Africa to enhance the overall educational scenario in South Africa. Some of these initiatives are:

Developing technological infrastructure: This is one of the major areas where the South African government has undertaken initiative in the form of National Integrated ICT Policy White Paper with the objective of enhancing the connectivity of internet in rural and remote areas so as to facilitate better digital infrastructure in schools and Universities.

Promoting Smart School: This is another important initiative by the South African government with the objective of announcing the overall School infrastructure in the country. Focus of a smart school is on ensuring that all the classrooms are equipped with modern technology such as interactive white board, tablet, internet connectivity, and learning management systems so that improved learning can be possible to both the students and the teachers.

Supporting e-learning platforms: The e-learning platforms are also crucial from the point of view of allowing students to learn new concepts in a better way. There are many private companies suggest Mindset, ITSI, Dissertation Help etc that have developed e learning platforms and these are highly effective from the point of view of delivering interactive lessons, and assessment tools that are in line with the curriculum followed in South African universities.

Training for teachers' skills enhancement: This is another important initiative which is highly essential especially in the South African context. The teachers in South Africa are not compatible enough to handle modern technology, and to solve this problem, there are initiatives undertaken in the form of conducting training programs for educators, guiding them to work on e-Learning tools such as editing and proofreading, and facilitating an environment that supports technology in the classroom.

CSR Initiatives and partnerships: These are also the important initiatives undertaken in order to enhance the e-learning infrastructure across South Africa. The CSR initiatives are undertaken in the form of encouraging private sector such as telecommunication companies to sponsor connectivity products so as to facilitate better connectivity and improve accessibility to educational resources. Partnerships are also carried out by private companies with universities so as to facilitate digital tools and platforms for degree programs. As a result of online courses, it becomes possible for many of the South African students to get access to education which would otherwise not have been possible in case of traditional institutions.

These are some of the e-learning initiative undertaken by both the private and government sector in South Africa with the objective of promoting education within South Africans.