compiled by ap msomi - up · elearning in the south african public sector came about and what...

Compiled by AP Msomi

Introduction

Motivation

Objectives

Focus

Literature Review

Research Methodology

Presentation of results

Conclusion

Recommendations

The application of electronically-based technology is advancing dramatically and willincreasingly impact our lives. The public sector uses technology in order to deal with multiplechallenges faced at local and international levels. These challenges include service deliveryat various stages within our communities to improve the quality of life and to improveproductivity through empowering employees with the required skills.

Electronic learning (eLearning) is viewed as the cheapest and most effective way in whichorganisations in the public sector provide their employees with continuous learningopportunities to improve organisational outcomes (Langford & Seaborne, 2003:50).

The purpose of this study is to focus on the conceptualisation of eLearning in the SouthAfrican public sector. This includes identifying and understanding how the concept ofeLearning in the South African public sector came about and what processes were followedin conceptualising eLearning.

Education is a tool that empowers people by giving them the necessary skills

and means so that opportunities can be created for personal growth and

growth in the economy (Omer, Klomsri, Tedre, Popova, Klingberg-Allvin &

Osman, 2015:268).

To investigate why the South African public sector introduced the concept ofeLearning as opposed to orthodox learning and whether eLearning qualitystandards for consumer protection were conducted?

To identify key features of the South African public sector eLearning strategic plan,who was involved in the conceptualisation of eLearning process and what approachwas used?

To investigate the challenges facing the South African public sector prior tointroduction of the eLearning concept and whether there was any coordination withthe private sector?

To investigate what the South African government is hoping to achieve byintroducing eLearning for the public sector and what are the key indicators formeasuring the success of this introduction.

This study was focused on the public services that have conceptualised

eLearning in South Africa and those who have already started implementing

eLearning. These public services include:

Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA)

National School of Government (NSG)

Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA)

Provincial Government of the Western Cape

What is eLearning

Why eLearning as opposed to orthodox learning

Advantages of eLearning

Disadvantages of eLearning

Benchmarking

Measuring the success of eLearning

Linking eLearning to strategic planning

Systems thinking approach

Research Approach

Sampling

Pre-Testing

Data Collection

Data Processing

R1

Why eLearning

◦ Capacity building

◦ Too many government officials who need training

◦ Convenience

Quality Standards

◦ Accreditation by PSETA

◦ International Benchmarking

R2

Strategic plan

◦ No national strategic plan

◦ Policy and guidelines on eLearning by DPSA (not yet approved)

Process of conceptualisation

◦ Top Down approach

◦ No engagements with all stakeholders

◦ Silos

R3

Challenges facing SA Public Sector training of employees

◦ Monetary benefits

◦ Unskilled government officials

Coordination with private sector

◦ Coordination to source expertise

◦ Concern on information security

R4

What SA government is hoping to achieve

◦ Productive, efficient and effective government officials

◦ Improvement of service delivery

Measuring of success

◦ Unclear

◦ Strategic plan (a guiding document)

The public sector exists in an ever changing complex environment and therefore

there needs to be a paradigm shift. According to Riley et al. (2015:50) complex

problems do not contain patterns that repeat themselves so one cannot guarantee

the results. Because of this, using a formula based approach is not ideal because

situations are never exactly the same. The systems thinking approach assists in

moving away from a silo mentality.

Jackson (2003:67) states that management must ensure that the behaviour of the

system is in line with the organisation’s goal. With dynamic complex systems the key

driver of performance and behaviour over time is feedback loops (Kunc, 2012:30).

In eLearning feedback loops are important as they inform decision making which can

be used by policy and practice organisations and in understanding the relationship

and interests of the stakeholders.

Revisit the conceptualisation

National strategic eLearning plan

◦ measuring the success of eLearning

◦ Standardisation

◦ Roadmap for guidelines

Systems thinking approach

Questions/Comments