Information Communication Technology Unit

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Browsing Information Communication Technology Unit by Subject "critical theory of technology"

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    Micro-credentials in higher education institutions: An exploratory study of its place in Tanzania
    (International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology, 2019) Ghasia, Mohamed A.; Machumu, Haruni J.; DeSmet, Egbert
    Micro-credentials represent an alternative approach to career and professional development whereby an individual’s skills, achievements, and accomplishments are recognised. They offer the possibility to enhance skills, manage career pathways, and add practicality to the academic content. Moreover, micro-credentials are cost-effective professional development strategies that significantly minimise employee training costs and time. Also, micro-credentials in higher education institutions (HEIs) allow for the integration of digital badges within the university curricular and community engagement activities to inspire connected and lifelong learning for the professional development of students, educators and communities in formal learning settings. This paper explores ways in which micro-credentials can be offered in Tanzanian universities. Specifically, we explore educators’ perception, readiness and implementation strategies. In-depth interviews with thirty-one lecturers, fifty-four students and twelve educational technologists were deployed. Purposive sampling was used to identify the four Tanzanian universities involved in the study, and theoretical sampling was used to identify lecturers, students and educational technologists. Data were analysed using NVIVO software in accordance with the Strauss and Corbin Grounded Theory. The results suggest that university lecturers and students are optimistic that micro-credentials will stimulate lifelong and connected learning as well as expand the scope of the universities’ mandate. However, to leverage from these potentials, multi-level interventions are needed. We recommend the creation of a micro-credentials ecosystem, formulation of strategies and policies, deployment of necessary infrastructure as well as building relevant skills. Implications, contributions and limitations of the study are discussed in line with the findings. Finally, the paper contributes to the literature on the implementation of micro-credentials in higher education (HE).
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    Towards mobile learning deployment in higher learning institutions: A report on the qualitative inquiries conducted in four universities in Tanzania
    (2018) Ghasia, Mohamed A.; De Smet, Egbert; Musabila, Albogast
    Over the past two decades, mobile learning (m-learning) has been a purposeful area of research among educational technologists, educators and instructional designers whereby doubts and controversies over its relevancy and applicability have been keenly addressed. This paper explores stakeholders’ perceptions of m-learning deployment in Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs). Specifically, we examine the potential of m-learning for HLIs in Tanzania and the challenges that hinder successful m-learning deployment. We adopt a comparative qualitative case study design in which four HLIs in Tanzania were purposefully selected. The study uses a combination of design science research approach and qualitative methods including grounded theory, document reviews, and observation. The respondents included university lecturers, students and ICT experts, who were selected for the interviews through theoretical sampling. The transcripts were loaded, coded and analyzed in NVIVO software. The results indicate that mobiles (smartphones, tablets, laptops, feature phones etc.) are widely used in the HLIs. Stakeholders perceive that m-learning deployment is important and useful because it improves the quality of the learning experience. The results further indicate that there are financial, pedagogical, technological, infrastructural, individual – and policy–related challenges that hinder the successful deployment of m-learning in HLIs in Tanzania include limited network coverage, some students´ inability to afford mobiles, lack of qualified staff for mobile content and administration preparation, gaps in the existing policies, and faulty course design. However, our results show that participants are optimistic about the potential of m-learning in the HLIs of Tanzania. They expect m-learning will improve access to learning resources, and teacher-student and student-student interaction without being restricted by time or place. Thus, m-learning is considered to have the potential to address issues of crowded classrooms, expertise, access to learning materials, flexibility of the learners, and remote connectivity. We recommend that HLIs should prioritize m-learning and commit resources to the success of the related projects. We also recommend that the governments and stakeholders provide policy interventions, subsidize mobile technologies, expand network coverage, build capacity within and outside HLIs, and improve digital literacy by integrating ICT education at all levels of education