Assessment Criteria
Criteria 2: The intellectual endeavours contributed by the engagement
activity
The knowledge applied was as a result of previous endeavours as well as engaging with the literature pertaining to
ICT, including theoretical perspectives. The technological expertise required to connect schools to the internet and
the training of the participating teachers was provided by myself. ICT services assisted and here Mr Eldridge van der
Westhuizen and Mr Steve Viljoen played a vital role with the technical aspects. The project also allowed for the
development of one SLP related to ICT in Education.
Contributions were made to the body of knowledge in terms of one PhD study (click on link) on ICT in Education
literacy (the integration of technology in schools - A du Plessis). The papers (click on link) that were published in
accredited journals focused on ICT in Schools. Presentations were also made during Conferences and in Published
Conference Proceedings. I was also informed on 29 May 2012 that I am awarded the NMMU Faculty of Education:
Emerging Researcher of the Year (2012).
ACCREDITED JOURNALS
Du Plessis, A., & Webb, P. (2012). Digital immigrant teacher perceptions of an extended Cyberhunt strategy.
Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 28(2), 341-363.
Du Plessis, A., & Webb, P. (2011). An extended Cyberhunts strategy: Learner centred learning-by-design. Australasian
Journal of Educational Technology, 27(7), 1190-1207.
Du Plessis, A. & Webb, P. (2011). An extended 'learning by design' framework based on learner perceptions. African
Journal of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 15(2), 16-29.
PUBLISHED CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
Du Plessis, A. & Webb, P. (2010). The CRAR3FS2 framework for developing teachers’ ICT skills for Science Education
through Cyberhunts. Socio-cultural and Human Values in Science and Technology Education, IOSTE 15
Symposium, Bled, Slovenia. 361-371.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Du Plessis, A. & Webb, P. (2011). Internet learning through learners as designers of Extended Cyberhunts: A South
African Developed Strategy. Africa Higher-Ed ICT Conference, Johannesburg, South Africa. 30-31 March 2011.
Du Plessis, A. (2010). Action Research might hold the key to improving teachers’ mathematics practices. AMESA 2010
Mathematics Conference. Port Elizabeth, South Africa. May 2010.
Du Plessis, A. (2009). The WA (Way Ahead framework) & SMART CRAR3FS2 framework for developing teachers.
Presentation for the Department in Education LAIS Conference, East London, South Africa. December 2009.
Du Plessis, A. & Webb, P. (2009). The CRAR3FS2 framework for developing teachers’ ICT skills for e-Education. Walter
Sisulu University E-Learning Conference. East London, South Africa. 3-4 November 2009.
PhD
Du Plessis, A. (2010). The introduction of Cyberhunts as a teaching and learning strategy to guide teachers towards
the integration of computer technology in schools. Unpublished Thesis. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan
University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
The project is creative and innovative as it make use of the latest knowledge and practical applications in ICT in
Education. The project also has a mentoring teacher professional development side as the heuristic and developed
strategies seem to be replicable and can be taken over by departments of education for their own Professional
Development Programmes. This initiative has also started to have an impact on the re-curriculation of the Education
Faculty's programmes, as it enables the faculty to ascertain where the needs are related to teacher education with
specific reference to ICTs.
The ICT involvement has also assisted with the creation and development of several new initiatives, such as:
* The creation of an online Academic Journal for the Faculty of Education at the NMMU - Educational Research for
Social Change [ERSC] - myself being the finder, a co-editor and the web master. The live site is available
* The creation of our ERSC Facebook page (click here for image OR here for the live site) as well as Twitter
page (click here for image OR here for the live site)
* The establishment of our Faculty MEd research web site to assist students and staff (click here)
* Being a regional committee member and the webmaster of the international IOSTE (International Organisation
for Science and Technology Education). Click here for the live IOSTE site.
* Assisted to contribute to the process in developing HUBS in the Education Faculty - Providing a presentation
how theory used in this project can be related to the HUB initiative (click here).
