Trends in Digital Pedagogies: Implications for South African Universities Expanding through Hybrid Online Education

The South African Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) anticipates that information and communication technology (ICT) will play an important part in democratising the country’s education system, overcoming discrimination, expanding access to higher education and training opportunities, and improving the quality of higher education (HE). The aim of this article is to report on findings from a literature study on trends in digital pedagogies; the benefits and challenges of using ICT in HE; suggestions on how to utilise ICT in HE; and the implications for the expansion of South African universities through hybrid online education. The study identifies numerous benefits of hybrid online education for HE institutions, lecturers, students and employers. The unavailability and expense of technology and internet access, as well as HE institutions’ lack of commitment towards hybrid online education, lecturers’ apathy, as well as a lack of digital literacy skills among lectures and students are identified as stumbling blocks for the successful implementation of hybrid online education. The study cautions against the implementation of hybrid online courses that are not supported by lectures, unaccessible to all students and lack theoretical depth and technical support. It is concluded that the DHET’s aims to transform and democratise HE in South Africa will only be realised if government, internet providers, HE institutions, lecturers, ICT experts and technical support teams work together to bring affordable and accessable high quality hybrid online education within the reach of all South African citizens. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n23p85