Title:	FINDINGS FROM A MOBILE TABLET PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION IN RURAL SOUTH AFRICA
Author(s):	Marlien Herselman, Adele Botha, Sifiso Dlamini, Mario Marais and Nare Mahwai
ISBN:	978-989-8533-86-9
Editors:	Inmaculada Arnedillo Sánchez, Pedro Isaías, Pascal Ravesteijn and Guido Ongena
Year:	2019
Edition:	Single
Keywords:	Teacher’s Perception, Mobile Tablets, Teacher Professional Development, Rural Schools, Attitude and Experience in Mobile Technology
Type:	Full Paper
First Page:	49
Last Page:	56
Language:	English
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Full Contents:	click to dowload
Paper Abstract:	The purpose of this paper is provide evidence of how the selected teachers at 24 schools in 7 provinces in South Africa reacted to questions pertaining to the extent of their prior training, attitudes towards technology, perceived self-confidence in integrating ICTs and finally using ICTs on a daily basis. The project is known as the Information Communications Technology for Education (ICT4E) project, funded by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) in South Africa, where teachers were trained in seven of the nine provinces in South Africa over a period of a year and a half to integrate mobile technology to support their teaching and learning at 24 schools. This project involved 197 teachers and 6895 learners. The methodology that was applied is a sequential explanatory mixed method approach where data was collected using firstly a survey (baseline survey), followed by one-to-one interviews. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (quantitative data) as well as coding through Nvivo (quantitative data). The main results indicated that more females (65.5%) than males were involved. Teachers mostly received training on the basics of computers in Education and are mainly using word processors for their work purposes. The average age of the teachers are 43 years and their mother tongue is mostly Setswana (21%). In general, they indicated a positive attitude towards getting training to use the mobile tablets but they did worry about their competence and knowledge in resolving technical issues if these may occur with the tablets. A high percentage indicated they use social media (96%) and 92% indicated that their schools have banned the use of a mobile phone. 95.4% of teachers felt comfortable to use a tablet to enhance their teaching and learning and they can teach in more effective ways (98%). The teachers were convinced (2%) that the mobile device will assist the learners to learn more.
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