Designing and implementing an Information Communication Technology for Rural Education Development (ICT4RED) initiative in a resource constraint environment: Nciba school district, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Abstract

This book is a representation of all the activities, which were recognised as essential components to consider when implementing a certain ICT4D initiative in a resource constraint area in the poorest province of South Africa with significant educational challenges. This initiative was coined the ICT4RED initiative and was a research, development and implementation project that changed the way teachers teach with technology in their specific context over a period of 3 years (2012-2015). The book aims to provide insight into how this initiative was implemented and how the components were adapted to form an Evidence-based ICT4RED Implementation Framework in the end. This framework was developed by adopting design science research as the methodology. Certain specific case study phases were applied within the Design Science Research process and lessons were learnt in each phase, which was documented as the initiative moved from one phase to the other. Certain steps were followed during each phase. The book provides an overview of how each of the components, within the final Evidence-based ICT4RED Implementation Framework, were managed and how it was operationalised to provide specific deliverables or to reach certain aims. There was a core team (one representative from each component) that met once every week to track and trace progress and deliverables. What emanated from this ICT4RED initiative was far more than just processes or models which were tested and refined, it was a change in the way 350 teachers (in 26 schools) applied technology and teaching strategies to support their teaching and learning and to improve their 21st century teaching skills. This initiative can be viewed as a successful intervention within a specific period of time involving specific people in a specific context where technology was deployed to support education.