Abstract
The role of information technology in modern education has increased significantly over the past two decades [14]. The opportunity to develop an interactive software system with the aim of enhancing fundamental problem-solving skills of learners enrolled for the Computer Science, Information Technology and Mathematics programs at tertiary institutions is possible with object-oriented programming techniques and multi-dimensional graphic design. The definition of fundamental problem-solving skills includes cognitive functional skills such as logical thinking, conceptualism with prior knowledge, relationship forming and objective analysis. Experiments done for this research indicate that given the right educational tools, cognitive functional skills of learners can be stimulated, developed and enhanced. This, in turn, may lead to an increase in the graduation rates of learners enrolled for the Computer Science, Information Technology and Mathematics program and ultimately contribute to the reshaping of the educational experience.
Highlights
Low Graduation Rates In a report titled Towards a new higher education landscape: Meeting the equity, quality and social development imperatives of South Africa in the 21st century, South Africa, the government of South Africa stated that unacceptably large numbers and proportions of students drop out of the tertiary education system
Experimental results The objective of the pilot study was to determine whether the Logical and structural thinking development tool (LST) development tool could successfully be used to develop and enhance fundamental problem-solving skills of learners
Second and third level Information Technology learners at the Vaal University of Technology were involved in pre-post tests from August – October 2003
Summary
Low Graduation Rates In a report titled Towards a new higher education landscape: Meeting the equity, quality and social development imperatives of South Africa in the 21st century, South Africa, the government of South Africa stated that unacceptably large numbers and proportions of students drop out of the tertiary education system. The higher education system’s intake of first-time entering undergraduates has averaged about 120 000 for the past few years. At least 30 000 (25%) of these new under-. Annelie Jordaan: Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences, Vaal University of Technology. Dawid Jordaan: School of Modelling Sciences, North-West University. TD: The Journal for Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa, Vol 1 no. 59-76 TD, 1 (1), December 2005, pp. TD: The Journal for Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa, Vol 1 no. 1, December 2005 pp. 59-76 TD, 1 (1), December 2005, pp. 59-76
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