Abstract
M.Comm.
The traditional mode of distance education has been correspondence teaching. This mode makes use of study guides which can be authoritarian, pedantic and not learner-centered (Buitendacht, 1994: 2). Minimal use is made of media other than the written word and teaching flows mainly one way: from the lecturer to the student (lecture centered instead of student/learner centered). In the past Technikon SA's study material was no exception.
When Technikon SA adopted the ILCDE model, the need for quality courseware was immediately identified. This led to the establishment of the Centre for Courseware Design and Development (CCDD). The task of the CCDD is to develop quality interactive, learnercentered, needs-driven distance education courseware for Technikon SA's learners. Courseware is designed in accordance with the needs and expectations of industry, always taking into account the learner profile.
The project team approach is utilized in the management of course development. This approach incorporates business principles such as contracting, cost-effective production, effective scheduling, maintaining quality products and project management techniques. Each project team is multi-skilled and consist of a course writer, a moderator, editor, translator, graphic designer, graphic artist, DTP (Desk fop Publisher) operator and didactic adviser (i.e. instructional designer). The objective is to produce quality courseware for distance education.
Quality courseware is defined as courseware that is interactive, reader-friendly, learnercentered and related to the needs of the workplace. Emphasis is shifted from a productorientated approach (where students were expected to memorize most of the work and to reproduce it as such) to the process-orientated approach focusing on mastery of subject content (CCDD Information Guidelines, 1995:1).