The suitability and effectiveness of teaching programming in an e-learning environment

M.Tech.E-learning is the industry-accepted term for electronic learning. It is the blending of learning and computer technology with facilitator support, to provide education over the Internet. It is fast becoming an accepted means for the acquisition of knowledge in industry and at institutions of higher learning The research undertaken here elaborates, elucidates, and provides a framework for the implementation of e-learning for teaching computer programming. An experimental elearning course was designed, created and then implemented. Forty-eight learners doing the National Diploma Information technology participated in the e-learning exercise. Questionnaires and the analysis of the participant's assessments formed the empirical base of this work. The opinions expressed by the participants in this study testify to a positive experience and a desire to receive more learning in this manner. It emerged from data analysis in the study that less competent learners still prefer classroom led classes where they have direct interaction with the facilitator. The more independent and competent learner enjoyed this type of learning as it gave them more freedom to work independently and to self-pace their studies. This study reveals the complexity of the concept of teaching programming in an elearning environment and certain guidelines need to be followed to ensure the suitability and effectiveness of the implementation of an e-learning course in programming. Learners need to possess certain competencies in computer usage and should demonstrate their ability to .learn independently