Problem
Research questions and friction points this paper is trying to address.
Learning Management System
Self-paced Learning
Digital Inclusion
Public Access Centre
ICT Skills
The Use of Learning Management Systems for Self-paced Learning: The Case at a South African Public Access Centre
🤖 AI Summary
This study investigates the challenges and opportunities associated with deploying Learning Management Systems (LMS) to support self-directed learning in South African public access centers (I-CANs), where infrastructure limitations and suboptimal user experiences are prevalent. Drawing on semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, the research empirically examines learners’ lived experiences using LMS for self-paced learning within community-based educational settings. Findings indicate that while I-CANs substantially advance digital inclusion and ICT skill development, their effectiveness is significantly hindered by unreliable internet connectivity, outdated hardware, and insufficient instructional guidance. The paper advocates for a co-optimized approach that integrates user-centered design with infrastructural enhancements, offering practical insights for implementing educational technologies in resource-constrained environments.
📝 Abstract
This study investigates the use of a Learning Management System (LMS) to support self-paced learning at a South African Public Access Centre (PAC), using the I-CAN Centre as a case study. Through semi-structured interviews with thirty-eight learners and thematic analysis, the research explores opportunities and challenges associated with LMS adoption. Findings reveal that PACs play a critical role in promoting ICT skills and digital inclusion, offering learners flexible access to learning resources and fostering empowerment. While LMS use enhances convenience and supports blended learning as the preferred approach, persistent challenges, such as poor connectivity, outdated infrastructure, and unclear course instructions, limit its effectiveness. These findings highlight the need for infrastructural upgrades and user-centric design to optimise LMS implementation in community-based learning environments.
Innovation
Methods, ideas, or system contributions that make the work stand out.
Learning Management System
self-paced learning
digital inclusion
public access centre
user-centric design
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