Self-Paced Interactive Multimedia Courseware: A Learning Support Resource for Enhancing Electronic Theses and Dissertations Development

Abstract

Submission of Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) by postgraduate students has become a common phenomenon in learning environments globally. The purpose of ETDs is to train postgraduate students as knowledge workers in online publishing and also extend their skills beyond word processing. The challenge however, is that many postgraduate students are not adequately equipped to design, develop and submit their theses and dissertations electronically. This article reports on a project based on the design and development of a self-paced Interactive Multimedia Application (IMA). The courseware is based on the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation) instructional system design model to guide postgraduate students to learn to publish their theses and dissertations electronically. Qualitative research design with descriptive approach was employed for the study. Testing of this self-paced computer-based learning material revealed that postgraduate students could work through the IMA with minimal assistance, to become proficient in electronic publishing. The IMA revealed that the Application could be learned with little or no assistance from a facilitator or instructor; it also supports direct transfer and retention of knowledge and skills in ETDs preparation and submission.

Keywords: Self-paced courseware; Interactive Multimedia Application; ADDIE model; Online publishing; Postgraduate theses