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- Some call it ‘Digitization’, others call it ‘Automation’ yet, some others use the catchword ‘Industry 4.0’! The unprecedented, and undeniable impacts of tech-jargons such as AI, IoT, VR, AR and CPS across industries and nations has made the 4IR a buzz word globally. Subsequently, many workers, professionals, academics and people in governance are eager to know the effects that the 4IR may have on jobs, skills and the best approach to human capital development in the fast-changing work environment. Hence, in view of these questions begging for answers, this study with four research objectives and questions explores perceptions of effects of the 4IR on expected job disruption and on human capital development approach at the University of Zululand. A structured questionnaire titled ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution Skills Assessment Questionnaire (FIRSAQ)’ was designed, validated by a research analyst, and tested for internal consistency. FIRSAQ with a reliability coefficient of 0.882 was used to gather data from the randomly stratified 170 academic staff members. Findings reveal that perceptions about the probable 4IR skill requirements is high, and the current level of awareness with regards to the effect of 4IR technologies on job disruption is high. Furthermore, the assessment of the significance of 4IR technologies on job disruption and human capital development in the University of Zululand indicated that 4IR significantly affects both job disruption and human capital development. However, findings also showed that the current human capital development approach in the University of Zululand is more formal than informal. Therefore, in view of the propositions from the 70:20:10 model, a change in human capital approach to more of informal than formal approach was recommended.
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- The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a sudden transition from face to face to online teaching and learning practices in various parts of the world. Meanwhile, the level of awareness and adoption of mobile learning (Mlearning) by means of smartphones in many rural parts of Africa tends to be considered low. The reasons for this include various factors, such as poor access to internet facilities, a lack of funds, the cost of smartphones, amongst others. This study investigates the level of awareness of South African rural higher institution students (SARHISs) on Mlearning using smartphones. A quantitative method was adopted for the study. Convenience sampling was used to select the institution and the 75 respondents who took part in the study. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire, entitled “Smartphone questionnaire (SQ)”. The collected data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Version 25. The findings of the study show that the adoption of M-learning using smartphones by the respondents who are students from the South African Rural Higher Institution (SARHIS) is moderate – a little above the average. Based on the study, it is recommended, that students’ awareness should be raised and that M-learning should be supported given the recent transition from onsite to online teaching and learning practices.
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- 2023| Babeș-Bolyai Univers...Smartphones in some cases are considered a source of distraction for students during teaching and learning exercises. However, with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of smartphones in educational institutions for teaching and learning purposes has become almost inevitable. Therefore, this study investigates the learning impact (s) of the use of smartphones on South African Rural Higher Education Students (SARHES). The quantitative method was adopted for the study. Convenience sampling was used in selecting the institution of learning, the department, the level, and the 75 respondents who participated in the study. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The findings of the study showed that students are significantly affected by the use of smartphones due to their cutting-edge features and functions, internet access, business advertisements, and mobile entertainment, as well as others. The study therefore highlights the need for conscious, consistent periodic seminars, workshops, talks, and colloquiums designed to help students see the importance of focus, planning and time management in the use of smartphones for learning in order to avoid distractions.
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