Abstract
M.A.
This study aims to determine the role of technology-enhanced learning within the South African
Police Service as a medium to bring about effective communication, training and education, and
subsequently transformation and realignment of corporate culture.
Accordingly, it explores the influence of technology in the modern organisation as well indications
of how organisations can conform to the information age. The relation of technology to the South
African Police Service is consequently examined with due consideration of the communication and
training methods in use. The functioning and compilation of technology-enhanced learning present
an understanding of how it relates to the study.
Furthermore, based on the evidence of persisting cultures and behaviours, and a perception of
ineffectiveness and insufficient training of police personnel, the study determines how such a
medium would facilitate transformation in the South African Police Service. The transformation
process concentrates mainly on the technical, political and cultural systems of transformation in
organisations. The process of awakening, present and future states in the South African Police
Service and the setting and attainment of a vision through re-architecturing are discussed. The
study argues that related technology-enhanced learning abilities, such as boundarylessness,
feedback, participation and networking are essential aspects for transformation.
The study also provides the basis for determining the use of technology-enhanced learning as an
effective medium in promoting a learning organisation in terms of learning cycles. Related barriers
to organisation learning included the aspect of attitudes. The relevance of collectivity as a building
block to organisation learning is emphasised.
In order to support the effective implementation of such a medium an exposition is given of the
management of technology-enhanced learning, including aspects such as innovative-decision
processes, implementation, risk assessment and theoretical and technical applications. Mass media theories are studied as part of the teacher/communicator applications for the effective
and efficient utilisation of such a medium by both the sender and receiver. Among the concepts
covered in the study are needs gratification and the formulation of the content of messages.
No communications medium can continue to exist in an organisation without the viewer, client or
personnel having a need for it. This led the researcher to undertake a quantitative study of the
internal environment of the organisation regarding the use of the current television network POL
TV, which serves as a measuring instrument to the adoption and application of technologyenhanced
learning, and the levels of training.
The conclusion to the study is that the amalgamation and transition processes of the South African
Police Service has not yet managed to transform the inherent behaviours of groups of individuals
in the organisation. In addition, there is a dire need for the development of personnel skills. The
study finds technology-enhanced learning to be a dynamic communications, training and education
technology that would facilitate the resolution of many uncertainties amongst personnel and
redefine attitudes, beliefs and behaviour.
Most importantly, the study concludes that, by means of its interactive, integrated, collective,
connective, and boundaryless capability, technology-enhanced learning would bring all structures
and people of the organisation together in the collective attainment of organisational vision,
mission, goals and objectives. Ultimately, it is argued, the resulting impact of technology-enhanced
learning would facilitate the transformation of the South African Police Service and its inherent
corporate culture, and enhance service delivery to the community through democratic policing.