Negotiated cultural influence : a qualitative study of second year Chinese students at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in 2007 with specific reference to internet usage
- Authors: Yu, Yuanyuan
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Internet in education , Internet -- Social aspects , Students, Foreign -- South Africa , Computer networks -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8375 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/801 , Internet in education , Internet -- Social aspects , Students, Foreign -- South Africa , Computer networks -- Social aspects
- Description: This study aims to investigate the possible influence of Western culture on second-year Chinese students at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in 2007 by focusing on their Internet usage. Roland Robertson’s theory of glocalization is employed as the theoretical framework in this study. The research design is qualitative in nature. Individual semi-structured interviews are the method of collecting research data while a thematic analysis is the means of analysing and interpreting the research data. The sample comprises twelve second-year Chinese students who are studying at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in 2007 and have access to the Internet. This study has found that Western culture has exerted multi-faceted influences on the Chinese students through their Internet usage, and that they always negotiate such influences by selecting, adapting and appropriating what is useful in Western culture in an eclectic manner.
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- Date Issued: 2008
An investigation into e-learning acceptance in selected South African companies
- Authors: Chinyamurindi, Willie Tafadzwa
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Computer-assisted instruction , Electronic learning , Employees -- Training of -- Computer-assisted instruction , Internet in education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9405 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/487 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011908 , Computer-assisted instruction , Electronic learning , Employees -- Training of -- Computer-assisted instruction , Internet in education
- Description: The study investigated the acceptance of electronic (e-learning) based instruction in selected South African companies based upon the dominants of e-learning acceptance that included computer self-efficacy, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and behavioral intention to use. A quantitative research methodology was conducted on a sample of male and female trainees in selected South African companies using e-learning as a mode of instruction (N=191) using the “E-learning Acceptance Measure” by Ong and Lai (2006). Analysis of variance was used to determine whether the biographical characteristic of gender could account for any differences towards the determinants of e-learning acceptance. Multiple stepwise regression was used to determine differences between dominants of e-learning acceptance and gender. The results of the study showed that there were no statistically significant differences in mean between men’s rating of computer self-efficacy, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and behavioral intention than that of women. In terms of influences, the results show the existence of influence between certain dominants of e-learning acceptance however no gender differences were found in influence. Recommendations were made based upon these results on how South African companies can help trainees accept and use e-learning.
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- Date Issued: 2007