Compiled by AP Msomi - UP · eLearning in the South African public sector came about and what...
Transcript of Compiled by AP Msomi - UP · eLearning in the South African public sector came about and what...
Compiled by AP Msomi
Introduction
Motivation
Objectives
Focus
Literature Review
Research Methodology
Presentation of results
Conclusion
Recommendations
The application of electronically-based technology is advancing dramatically and willincreasingly impact our lives. The public sector uses technology in order to deal with multiplechallenges faced at local and international levels. These challenges include service deliveryat various stages within our communities to improve the quality of life and to improveproductivity through empowering employees with the required skills.
Electronic learning (eLearning) is viewed as the cheapest and most effective way in whichorganisations in the public sector provide their employees with continuous learningopportunities to improve organisational outcomes (Langford & Seaborne, 2003:50).
The purpose of this study is to focus on the conceptualisation of eLearning in the SouthAfrican public sector. This includes identifying and understanding how the concept ofeLearning in the South African public sector came about and what processes were followedin conceptualising eLearning.
Education is a tool that empowers people by giving them the necessary skills
and means so that opportunities can be created for personal growth and
growth in the economy (Omer, Klomsri, Tedre, Popova, Klingberg-Allvin &
Osman, 2015:268).
To investigate why the South African public sector introduced the concept ofeLearning as opposed to orthodox learning and whether eLearning qualitystandards for consumer protection were conducted?
To identify key features of the South African public sector eLearning strategic plan,who was involved in the conceptualisation of eLearning process and what approachwas used?
To investigate the challenges facing the South African public sector prior tointroduction of the eLearning concept and whether there was any coordination withthe private sector?
To investigate what the South African government is hoping to achieve byintroducing eLearning for the public sector and what are the key indicators formeasuring the success of this introduction.
This study was focused on the public services that have conceptualised
eLearning in South Africa and those who have already started implementing
eLearning. These public services include:
Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA)
National School of Government (NSG)
Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA)
Provincial Government of the Western Cape
What is eLearning
Why eLearning as opposed to orthodox learning
Advantages of eLearning
Disadvantages of eLearning
Benchmarking
Measuring the success of eLearning
Linking eLearning to strategic planning
Systems thinking approach
Research Approach
Sampling
Pre-Testing
Data Collection
Data Processing
R1
Why eLearning
◦ Capacity building
◦ Too many government officials who need training
◦ Convenience
Quality Standards
◦ Accreditation by PSETA
◦ International Benchmarking
R2
Strategic plan
◦ No national strategic plan
◦ Policy and guidelines on eLearning by DPSA (not yet approved)
Process of conceptualisation
◦ Top Down approach
◦ No engagements with all stakeholders
◦ Silos
R3
Challenges facing SA Public Sector training of employees
◦ Monetary benefits
◦ Unskilled government officials
Coordination with private sector
◦ Coordination to source expertise
◦ Concern on information security
R4
What SA government is hoping to achieve
◦ Productive, efficient and effective government officials
◦ Improvement of service delivery
Measuring of success
◦ Unclear
◦ Strategic plan (a guiding document)
The public sector exists in an ever changing complex environment and therefore
there needs to be a paradigm shift. According to Riley et al. (2015:50) complex
problems do not contain patterns that repeat themselves so one cannot guarantee
the results. Because of this, using a formula based approach is not ideal because
situations are never exactly the same. The systems thinking approach assists in
moving away from a silo mentality.
Jackson (2003:67) states that management must ensure that the behaviour of the
system is in line with the organisation’s goal. With dynamic complex systems the key
driver of performance and behaviour over time is feedback loops (Kunc, 2012:30).
In eLearning feedback loops are important as they inform decision making which can
be used by policy and practice organisations and in understanding the relationship
and interests of the stakeholders.
Revisit the conceptualisation
National strategic eLearning plan
◦ measuring the success of eLearning
◦ Standardisation
◦ Roadmap for guidelines
Systems thinking approach
Questions/Comments