According to Rickaby (2007, p. 12), the European computer driving license is designed to provide a basic certification of competence in the understanding of information technology and the use of a personal computer. This study is dedicated to the memory of the late David Hynd Stewart for the encouragement and financial support he gave me in the initial.
Introduction 1
FET College teachers needed to be skilled and requalified to teach the various new subjects (Gerber, 2011). FET college campus leaders, lecturers and administration staff were targeted for national training in the introduction of the new NCV curriculum.
Full Descriptive Title 2
Regarding professional development for FET college lecturers, the South African Institute for Distance Learning (SAIDE) was commissioned by the Department of Education (DOE) during and in 2008 to design and deliver the national training for the introduction of the new NCV curriculum in English First Additional Language (Level 2, 3 and 4) to FET college lecturers (Saide, 2006). Part of this initiative was the launch of the ICDL program to improve computer literacy.
Focus and Purpose of study 2
This goal is: reskilling staff to offer responsive programs to what the industry would require. This kind of development initiative was also extended to the other subjects in the NCV curriculum.
Problem, rationale and objectives 3
Key Questions 3
Using Bloom's Taxonomy (1956), the researcher hopes to classify and interpret the learning experiences of the campus leaders completing the ICDL course. The researcher believed that the learning experiences of the campus leaders who completed the ICDL course could be classified and analyzed using the learning domains of Bloom's Taxonomy (1956).
Theoretical and conceptual frameworks 6
Paradigm / ontology / epistemology 7
Frames of enquiry / Theories 8
Research design and methodology 8
A 'thick description' of what campus managers experienced while undertaking the ICDL course is sought by the researcher. A 'thick description' gives an account of the phenomenon which (a) is coherent and (b) gives more than facts and empirical content, but which also (c) interprets the information in the light of other empirical information in the same study (Henning, 2004).
Findings 12
Validity / Reliability / Trustworthiness 12
Ethical Issues 13
Limitations 13
Benefits of the ICDL 18
In terms of this study, the researcher believes that the above experiences illustrate the effectiveness of the ICDL course. The researcher hypothesized that this would give participants more confidence in the teacher's competence.
ICDL Africa (2009) ICDL “BOOT CAMP” Zambia. 26
ICDL Foundation (2010) KwaZulu Natal Dept. of Trans. 28
First Steps Woman’s Centre (2011)– UK 29
Word Processing 40
Spread sheet 42
Using Databases 43
This module enables candidates to understand some of the main database concepts and demonstrate the ability to use a database application (ICDL Foundation, 2010). This suggests that acquiring a working knowledge of spreadsheets is an essential prerequisite for understanding database usage. Therefore, we might suggest that participants first acquire a thorough knowledge of spreadsheets before attempting to learn a database.
Databases are actually much more powerful than spreadsheets in the way you are able to manipulate data.
Presentation 45
As a result, a security strategy must be developed to address information security risks, including data security. PowerPoint can be used to present a slide show, a presentation, or even create flyers and invitations. In addition to being a useful presentation tool, PowerPoint can be used to make handouts look more interesting or engaging.
This means that ICDL participants have a cost-saving alternative that can be used if MS PowerPoint proves to be expensive.
Communication and Web Browsing 46
Regardless of the size of a business, this problem appears to be a major distraction for employees with internet access and the ICDL course participants are no exception. As many as 34 percent of managers in the study said they let workers go for excessive personal use of the Internet, according to the survey.” It is interesting to note that decisive action has been taken in the corporate sector against employees found guilty of abusing the Internet and their e-mail services.
An internet search for cases of misconduct by FET leaders in this regard proved fruitless.
Conclusion 48
Introduction 50
A theoretical framework is a collection of related concepts like a theory, but not necessarily as well elaborated. A theoretical framework guides your research, determining what things you will measure and what statistical relationships you will look for (Borgatti, 1998). Within the context of this study, the researcher will use Bloom's taxonomy of learning domains to illustrate these interrelated concepts he talks about (Borgatti, 1998).
Concepts 51
- Experience 51
- Campus 53
- Manager 54
- International Computer Drivers Licence (ICDL) 54
- Paradigms/Epistemology 55
- Theoretical Framework 58
- Blooms Taxonomy of Learning Domains 58
- Context 60
The role of the administrator can be illustrated in the post below where an FET College has advertised for a campus manager. As you can see, it is clear that the role of a manager in an FET College is crucial to the overall smooth running of the campus. The central effort in the context of the interpretive paradigm is to understand the subjective world of human experience.
In terms of this study, the researcher believes that this suggests that ICDL participants are able to extract components from each aspect of the MS Office application to perform tasks, e.g.
Conclusion 60
As any attempt to understand the learning experiences of campus managers through the lens of Bloom's taxonomy, research must keep in mind that it may not be possible to identify every learning experience as classified into the domains of the taxonomy. However, the researcher will attempt to classify each learning experience as closely as possible to Bloom's Taxonomy of Learning Domains. Blooms taxonomy of learning domains was chosen to categorize the learning experiences of campus managers who underwent ICDL training in this case study.
The researcher finds this taxonomy useful in that the stages of learning in the ICDL program bear a close resemblance to Bloom's domains of learning.
Research Design and Methodology
THE RESEARCH DESIGN
- DATA COLLECTION - Overview of the process. 64
- THE CASE STUDY 65
- Methods of data collection 67
- Semi- structured interviews 67
- Advantages and disadvantages of semi-structured interviews 67
- Non-Participant Observation 70
- Document analyses 71
- Guided analysis 72
- Sampling method 72
- Trustworthiness 73
- Permission to undertake the study 74
- Conclusion 75
Regarding the use of observation, the researcher chose to use participant observation. The researcher intends to conduct these semi-structured interviews at two campuses of the relevant FET college. The researcher used semi-structured interviews, non-participant observation and document analysis to collect the data required in this study.
Semi-structured interviews, non-participant observation and document analysis are the instruments the researcher used to address the critical research questions.
Data Analysis and discussion of Findings 76
- Document Analysis 77
What are the detailed features of the application software covered in the ICDL course. This study used a qualitative method, and data from document analysis, semi-structured interviews and non-participatory observation were analyzed using themes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between two campuses of the same FET faculty.
A digital voice recorder was used for the interviews and the recordings were manually converted into notes.
Discussion of Results 78
- Theme 1. Microsoft Word 78
- Objectives 78
- Learning outcomes 79
- Learning Resources 80
- Theme 2. MS Excel 82
- Objectives 82
- Learning Outcomes 82
- Learning Resources 83
This suggests that word processing can be a fundamental learning base in learning MS Office software. Verbs associated with the knowledge and application aspects of Bloom feature prominently in the learning outcomes set out in the ICDL syllabus. This could constitute an alternative to MS Office in the ICDL course, because people with a basic knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, etc.
Adjust spreadsheet page settings and check and correct spreadsheet content before spreadsheets are finally printed.
PowerPoint 83
- Objectives 83
- Learning Outcomes 84
- Learning Resources 84
Therefore, replicating these learning resources for spreadsheets, presentations and database would not have served any meaningful purpose. These verbs are also prominent in Bloom's (1956) taxonomy, which are called 'action verbs.' Verb. It became fair to assume that the learning outcomes were compiled taking into consideration the classification of educational objectives.
Therefore, repeating these learning resources for spreadsheets, presentations and database would not make any sense.
Database 84
- Objectives 84
- Learning Outcomes 85
- Learning Resources 86
It stands to reason, then, that ICDL participants who have difficulty understanding the concepts of spreadsheets will inevitably have difficulty understanding database concepts. The verbs prepare, create, define and modify contained in the learning outcomes for database are also contained in Bloom's (1956) cognitive domain, where they are referred to as 'action' verbs. This suggests that Blooms Taxonomy could have been considered when creating these learning outcomes.
As previously mentioned, the learning resources for presentation are contained within the learning resources for word processing.
The Observation 86
- Theme 1 - Venue 87
- Theme 2 - Tutor 87
- Theme 3 - Learning 90
The literature which was a written response from the participants revealed the following aspect regarding the teacher's attitude: Positive attitudes towards computers are positively related to the teacher's level of experience with computer technology and cognition; anxieties and fears tend to decrease and confidence increases (Loyd and Gressard, 1986). The OHP pulled below the string hanging above the whiteboard sometimes obstructed the teacher's board writing. At one point, the door of the bar suddenly opened and the participants were momentarily distracted. The workstations are next to the wall, at right angles to the whiteboard.
The teacher waits until all participants are at par before moving on to the next instruction, illustrating that the course was delivered at a pace that was conducive to learning.
Experiences of Participants 91
- Receiving phenomena – Levels of difficulty 92
- Responding to Phenomena 93
- Valuing 95
- Organization 97
- Internalising 100
This suggests that this participant's computer software knowledge level had improved significantly indicating that the participant had responded favorably to the course. Participant B felt that the ICDL course was essential for all staff working in the FET sector. Participant F appreciated the fact that the ICDL course is of international standard and experience.
This indicates that the participant would prefer the lessons to be held on weekdays, instead of on Saturdays.
Conclusion 101
It also turned out that the majority of participants found MS Word and MS PowerPoint to be the easiest program to work with. Phrases such as 'good attitude', 'very knowledgeable', 'expert' and 'knows his stuff' are sufficient evidence to suggest that the tutor was very highly qualified. Some participants believed that the ICDL course was essential and empowered them, while others believed that the ICDL qualification would improve their job prospects.
One participant recommended that tapes be distributed to learners so that they can re-enforce what they have learned in their spare time while another recommended that the course during the.
Conclusion, Recommendations, Emerging
Conclusion 104
- What are the detailed characteristics of the application software that
- What are the experiences of the campus managers in learning
- Recommendations 108
At the end of the lesson, three participants thanked the tutor and said that they had learned a lot from the lesson. There is high regard for the expertise and professionalism of the ICDL tutor among all the participants. The participants feel that the fee of the ICDL course is cheap compared to the fees charged in the private sector for the same course.
Regarding the physical ICDL learning environment, it is important to be aware of the following.
Emerging themes 110
Regarding the learning experiences of participants, the researcher found that there were no significant differences between the experiences of the participants of this study and those in the literature review. The general feelings expressed were that the course was well presented; improved their understanding of Microsoft. The participants in this study and those in the literature both agreed that the presenters of the ICDL/ECDL course were individuals who had firm control over the software they were presenting and did so in a friendly and careful manner .
Limitations of the study 111
Retrieved April 14, 2012 from: http://www.ginaabudi.com/using-blooms-taxonomy-teaching-adults-to-learn-effective/. Retrieved October 10, 2012 from: http://www.cacttus.com/Training/ECDL/tabid/220/lingual/en-US/Default.aspx. Sekhukhune FET College (2011) Office of the CEO. http://www.careers24.com/pdf/completed/26XNIVQ.pdf.
Retrieved February 11, 2012, from: http://www.free-online-training-courses.com/customising-desktop/. 2008) Concept and principles for experiential learning activities.
