Abstract
D.Ed.
The increase in internal and external communication has brought about a radical change in organisation and has left its mark on education. Information remains the facilitator's most important aid. At present information is stored in textbooks, facilitator's notes, audiocassettes, sources of reference, videos and curriculum guides. Facilitators and learners obtain information from these sources and process it in various ways. By means of digital technology it has become possible both to keep all these sources up to date and to establish a direct link with other sources. The question arises as to how education can make use of this extensive aid.
This research poses the question whether education can be advanced through the effective use of electronic communication such as videos, computers and, more specifically, the Internet. With a view to the utilisation of electronic communication for education, an Internet module as an example was designed, in order to determine which
application possibilities exist in electronic communication, more specifically the Internet, and how they can be utilised for the dissemination of information. The research has attempted to provide guidelines for the effective utilisation of an Internet module applied as learning content. A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research design is followed within contextual setting to achieve the aims of the study.
In Phase One of the research a relevant study of literature on electronic communication, the Internet, and education was undertaken in order to design and apply an Internet module. The research method consists of interviews with media experts, focusing on the
application possibilities and the establishment of guidelines for an Internet module. A group interview with principals was held mainly for verification and triagulatory purposes.
The results of the study were compared with existing literature on the subject. The conclusions, findings and recommendations resulting from the research were presented for consideration and further research. Some of the most important findings and recommendations follow.