Impact of an e-learning initiative in the context of ICT4D : a case study of offering an advanced internet course in underprivileged communities
Pascale Henke, Lisa F. Seymour, Jean-Paul Van Belle · Journal of Emerging Trends in Educational Research and Policy Studies · 2014
This research explores several aspects of offering an online digital literacy course to underprivileged communities by undertaking a case study of offering an Internet Super-User (ISU) course, made accessible to members of disadvantaged urban community in Cape Town. The study used a combination of the Sen Capabilities Model (Kleine, 2010) and the Sustainable Livelihoods Model for the analysis and thus provides an interesting application of these models. The findings of this research study indicate that online education can have significant impacts in the lives of students, especially in the informational, economic and, most importantly, the psychological dimensions of the participants' lives. Critical success factors of this particular online learning initiative included the high-touch service delivery model, while perceived and experienced challenges associated with the online delivery of the ISU course were hindering internet access and outdated course material. Many of these findings should be applicable to other online courses aiming to develop the human capital potential of Africa.