Browsing by Author "Scott, Elsje"

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    A paradox of the second order digital divide in higher education institutions of developing countries: case of Zimbabwe
    (2021) Dube, Sibusisiwe; Scott, Elsje; Ngwenyama Ojelanki
    Although this is not a new research phenomenon, the literature has often associated the digital divide (second order or otherwise) with sociodemographic, sociocultural and socioeconomical factors as reasons for the digital divide. However, there is little presence in the literature into the underlying structures (physical or abstract arrangement) leading to the divide. This means that the underlying structures leading to this problem have so far been ignored and require scholarly attention. This study, therefore, identifies and explains the structures leading to the second order digital divide, a problem relating to the unequal use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) which is more prevalent in the higher education institutions (HEIs) of developing countries. Before the structures that lead to the second order digital divide could be explained the interlocking dynamics of ICT adoption needed to be identified. Structuration Theory was employed as a sensitising tool for collecting, analysing, and interpreting qualitative data for this interpretivist research. Novel qualitative data were collected from a purposive sample drawn from a single HEI of Zimbabwe, a developing country of high literacy. Directed content analysis generated insightful explanations of the structures leading to the second order digital divide at the HEI case. Preliminary analysis based on a deductive logic approach identified signification, domination, and legitimation as some of the structures leading to the second order digital divide at the HEI case. Further analysis based on an inductive logic approach revealed additional belief, institutional and governance structures which manifested from the interlocking dynamics of ICT adoption, involving resources, leadership, adoption behaviours and empowerment. These findings contributed to practice by explaining the underlying structures of the second order digital divide, for the benefit of ICT4D researchers, and by suggesting interventions to HEI policy-makers for reducing the second order digital divide. The results also make an iv explanatory contribution to theory by presenting a model of the interlocking dynamics of ICT adoption for theorising about the complex second order digital divide.
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    Exploring existential interventions that enable competency development in Information Systems students
    (2015) Rahimi, Saba Ryan; Scott, Elsje
    The Information Systems field is one characterised by constant debate about its central focus and lack of a defined identity. This debate has perpetuated as the field constantly changes its identity in response to rapid and often turbulent technological advances. By attempting to study humans, computers and the results when humans and computers interact, the field covers a vast intellectual territory. This vastness causes inconsistent focus and different prioritisation across geographic regions, academic institutions and industry entities. In contrast to established fields, where curricula are relatively standardised, Information Systems' curriculum has traditionally been slow to respond to industry needs, generic in nature and has served as a guideline rather than an authoritative truth. This research is concerned with how the nature of the field affects Information Systems students and graduates, and seeks to investigate how learners can contend both the with vastness of the subject matter and the lack of authoritarian guidelines. The theory of existentialism is presented as a possible philosophy that can be instilled in students to help them contend with the nature of the field. Through the gathering of personal accounts from graduates and Graduate Recruitment Officers, this research assesses how students have grown in academia and moved past the challenges of adaptation to industry. In this endeavour it confirms that existential interventions are necessary tools that can be instilled in practitioners to help them contend with the unstable and ever changing nature of the field. In addition, teamwork or the first team experience is determined to be a fundamental event in identity formation. Lastly, significant specialisation change, otherwise called role movement, is identified during this time and could be the subject of further research.
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    Object-oriented programming : bringing perspective to the claims and counter-claims
    (2009) Naidoo, Len; Scott, Elsje
    This study attempts to bring insight into the claims and counter-claims made about Object-Oriented Programming (OOP). A rich understanding of OOP enables us to maximize OOP's potential and uncover its limitations in practice. OOP rose from relative obscurity in the 1960s to the mainstream of software development. While adoption of OOP continues to grow steadily fervent criticism mounts against OOP from certain quarters. Detractors believe that OOP's early promise has not been fulfilled and resentment deepens against its all-encompassing embrace. Negative, self-serving rants needs to be separated from genuine causes for concern about software development. Equally, the software development community must guard against the blind adoption of technology in an industry driven by excessive market hype and vested interests. Given the decidedly human nature of the task of programming and the varying interpretations and perceptions that exist about programming styles, it is unlikely that scientific methods can conclusively prove the truth of arguments made for or against OOP. Therefore this interpretive study uses hermeneutics to understand and explain the claims and counterclaims made in the OOP discourse in order to forge a deeper understanding of OOP. The 'meanings' of OOP in the online discussions taking place in three developer communities encounters the literature on OOP through hermeneutic principles of understanding. Three different interpretations of OOP emerge from this encounter. Against these newly appropriated insights of the OOP phenomenon the prevailing OOP discourse is critically assessed through the hermeneutic lens. This study concludes that the current quest for atemporal categories and casual explanations of OOP is futile; we can only deeply understand OOP if we are willing to accommodate multiple interpretations of OOP in a hermeneutic understanding of the phenomenon of OOP.
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    Peer assessment: A complementary instrument to recognise individual contributions in IS student group projects
    (2005) Scott, Elsje; van der Merwe, Nata; Smith, Derek
    This paper discusses peer assessment as a component of the assessment strategy used for Information Systems student group projects at a South African university. The value of peer assessment and the contribution to the real-life experience offered by group projects, will be discussed. It will also illustrate how this process adds value by enhancing deep learning. Its value as a complementary assessment instrument in a multiple assessment strategy and how the results of peer assessment are used to recognise individual contributions to group performance will be illustrated. The use of peer assessment as an instrument for both informal formative assessment and formal summative assessment will be described. To perform the peer assessment specific instruments were designed and used throughout the lifecycle of the course.
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    To e-learn or not to e-learn: an investigation into the efficacy, efficiency and effectiveness of converting compulsory staff training from classroom to computer
    (2014) Rogerson , Christine Fiona Jane; Scott, Elsje
    The purpose of this dissertation was to describe the introduction of an online course to replace the current classroom-based staff training. The long term objective was to measure the efficacy, effectiveness and efficiency of the online training, and to establish whether a transfer of knowledge back to the workplace had occurred. This dissertation defines the relevant and persisting organisational concern that the previous training on offer was not efficient and not always effective either. The in depth literature review of e-learning implementations, success factors and barriers to adoption is followed by the discussion of the research philosophy and objectives. Action Design Research (ADR), a combination of Action Research and Design Research, was the research methodology chosen as it was deemed a good fit to address an actual problematic situation, in an organisational setting, by building an innovative IT artefact. This artefact addressed not only organisational and practitioner concerns, but also produced learning and academic theory. The implementation of the alpha and beta versions of the online course is then described. The results of the implementation and the link to both the ADR principles and the e-learning literature are discussed in detail. This research sought to address the core of the IS discipline by bringing an artefact into existence that would solve a need in the real world, and at the same time respond to calls from practitioners to provide practical solutions. The result was a tailor-made, in-house training course which facilitated the empowerment of the trainees whilst enhancing their knowledge and skills regarding the finance reporting system. This dissertation may be of interest to practitioners or organisations contemplating implementing online training courses, particular those seeking to further their knowledge regarding the efficacy and sustainability of computer-based learning in the workplace. Researchers may be interested in the use of ADR as an effective methodology. Future research could be undertaken concerning interaction in the organisational training environment, such as whether a “Q&A” type of interactive contact is more appropriate in the workplace than a discussion board, as well as the role job responsibility plays in both motivation and successful online training outcomes.
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    Towards coherent practice in capstone courses for IS majors
    (2012) Scott, Elsje; Sewchurran, Kosheek
    Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are used to support almost all areas of human activity, and information systems play an increasingly important role in organisations and in society as a whole. At the same time, continuous and dramatic changes in the field of Information Systems (IS) and its context pose serious challenges to educators preparing students for professional practice. This study is therefore about the search to design, develop and implement a framework for constructing a capstone course that will be both flexible and efficient, while simultaneously embracing the interdisciplinary character of the IS field. A capstone course can be viewed as a man-made artefact intended to meet the needs of the world we live in and the activity of building theory in such a world is embedded in the sciences of the artificial. The research paradigm for this environment thus comprised a combination of the behavioural science and design science paradigms. The evolution of a capstone course at the University of Cape Town commenced in 2001 and led to the development of a conceptual framework for a coherent practice. During 2010 and 2011 the conceptual framework acted as a bridge enabling the researcher to develop, refine and evaluate a design science theory. This was done through a series of themed action experiments each consisting of several interventions, to create a synthesis of theory and practice for preparing thoughtful practitioners. The theory includes prescriptive statements of actions leading to specific outcomes that provided evidence of how a reflective practice nurtures deep involvement of students in their learning experience. It further demonstrated how accompanying theories within this framework can be utilised either to underpin or to make sense of the different activities within this practice. These meaning-making activities initiated the reconstruction of interventions and actions to promote transcendence and embodied cognition, nurturing competence and lifelong learning. Ultimately, the intention of the theory is to extend the boundaries of the capabilities of IS majors (or students of other exit level courses) to such an extent that they become empowered to cope with the complex and changing demands of the real world.