Abstract
This qualitative research study aims to understand how homeschoolers operate in South Africa. The investigation specifically focuses on how parents of homeschooled learners use ICT for teaching and learning processes in their learning environments. The study employed a constructivist approach, the research design strategy undertook the form of a descriptive/intrinsic case study. Qualitative data was collected by conducting a research survey asking willing participants to complete a questionnaire that targeted parents of homeschooled learners. Data were collected using snowball or chain referral sampling, receiving more than 100 responses. The kind of data which were collected pertained to background information about individual homeschooling environments, types of teaching and learning pedagogies which homeschooling parents implemented and followed, the use and availability of technology, and lastly, how ICT was used in the learning environments to support teaching and learning. The results of this study suggest that parents of homeschooled learners consider the use of technology critical to the teaching and learning process. The study showed that parents used technology when teaching for support and assistance, to facilitate learning and they encouraged the use of technology to support learners in self-study sections and or projects. Parents/facilitators and learners used a variety of technological devices for teaching and learning support. Digital tools and applications were heavily relied upon for learning, assessments, gamification, networking, collaboration, research and sourcing resources and learning content. The majority of parents made use of ICT by integrating and promoting digital learning through the use of digital tools and applications by both the parent/facilitator and the learner/s. Interestingly, the majority of participating parents favoured mastery of content, supported by ICT, over formal assessment practices. Key Words/Terms: Homeschooling, ICT, South Africa, teaching and learning, ICT integration.
M.Ed. (Information and Communication Technology in Education)