Summary Ethical information and communication technologies for development solutions

INTRODUCTION Dear Student Unisa is a comprehensive open distance e-learning (CODeL) higher education institution. The comprehensiveness of our curricula encapsulates a range of offerings, from strictly vocational to strictly academic certificates, diplomas and degrees. Unisa's "openness" and its distance eLearning character result in many students registering at Unisa who may not have had an opportunity to enrol in higher education. Our CODeL character implies that our programmes are carefully planned and structured to ensure success for students ranging from the under-prepared but with potential to the sufficiently prepared. Teaching and learning in a CODeL context involves multiple modes of delivery ranging from blended learning to fully online. As a default position, all post graduate programmes are offered fully online with no printed study materials, while undergraduate programmes are offered in a blended mode of delivery where printed study materials are augmented with online teaching and learning via the learner management system – myUnisa. In some instances, undergraduate programmes are offered fully online as well. Furthermore, our programmes are aligned with the vision, mission and values of the University. Unisa's commitment to serve humanity and shape futures combined with a clear appreciation of our location on the African continent, Unisa's graduates have distinctive graduate qualities which include • independent, resilient, responsible and caring citizens who are able to fulfil and serve in multiple roles in their immediate and future local, national and global communities • having a critical understanding of their location on the African continent with its histories, challenges and potential in relation to globally diverse contexts • the ability to critically analyse and evaluate the credibility and usefulness of information and data from multiple sources in a globalised world with its ever- increasing information and data flows and competing worldviews • how to apply their discipline-specific knowledges competently, ethically and creatively to solve real-life problems • an awareness of their own learning and developmental needs and future potential EUP1501 module is offered online (all information is available via the internet) and we use myUnisa as our virtual campus. This is an online system that is used to administer, document and deliver educational material to you and support engagement with you. Look out for information from your lecturer as well as other Unisa platforms to determine how to access the virtual myUnisa module site. Information on the tools that will be available to engage with the lecturer and fellow students to support your learning will also be communicated via various platforms. You are encouraged to log into the module site on myUnisa regularly (that is, at least twice per week). EUP1501/101/1/2023 5 Because this is a fully online module, you will need to use myUnisa to study and complete the learning activities for this module. Visit the website for EUP1501 on myUnisa frequently. The website for your module is EUP1501-23-S1. We wish you every success with your studies! 2 MODULE OVERVIEW 2.1 Purpose The module EUP1501: Ethical Information and Communication Technologies for Development Solutions looks at the study of how Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can be used ethically to find solutions in development areas. We believe that the knowledge, skills, and values presented in this module will benefit you as a student at UNISA, in your career, and in your personal life – it will enable you to participate as a computer literate member of your community. As a student, you will be able to present critical arguments around ICTs for development, while appreciating ethical dimensions within an information society in relation to Copyright and Intellectual Property Rights, privacy, control, conduct, and expectations. In addition, students should be able to demonstrate capabilities related to engaging with textual and numerical data to present information in various formats, as well as their ability to maintain efficient, organised, and secure electronic working environments by managing digital files, systems, and applications software. The following table provides you with a quick overview of the module, the different Lessons, what content will be discussed in each, and how the two e-textbooks will position the tasks into different contexts – the one as an influencing member in our society where you will use Information Communication Technologies in a variety of ethical ways in a developmental manner to solve solutions, and the other, in a work-based scenario where you are required to show computer competencies in a variety of situations (like using a word processor, a presentation or a spreadsheet). Lesson Applications (myLab IT) Content and/or context (myUnisa) 1 Creating Documents with Microsoft Office Word 2019 Understanding Development 2 Getting Started with Microsoft Edge Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for Development and Social Media 3 Getting Started with Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2019 ICT4D Applications in Core Sectors of Development 4 Creating a Worksheet and Charting Data with Microsoft Office Excel 2019 ICT, Climate and Green Growth Some general assistance is available if you choose to work at a UNISA Regional Learning Centre where computing facilities are available. Please keep in mind that, if you want to successfully complete this module, you need to work consistently through the module, using a 6 computer to learn or any internet-enabled device, exercise, and improve your knowledge, skills and values! 2.2 Outcomes For this module, you will have to master several outcomes: • Specific outcome 1: Present critical arguments around ICTs for development. • Specific outcome 2: Appreciate ethical dimensions within an information society in relation to privacy, rights, property, control, conduct, and expectations. • Specific outcome 3: Demonstrate capabilities related to engaging with textual and numerical data to present information in various formats. • Specific outcome 4: Maintain efficient, organised, and secure electronic working. 2.3 Signature Module What is a Signature Module? Signature Modules especially developed at UNISA, are taught fully online and have the support of Teaching Assistants to help the students in small groups. EUP1501 is the Signature Module for the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology and as such is meant to represent a particular discipline and distinct character values that the College believes is relevant and important for their graduating students to study. However, the fact that this module forms part of 99 different qualifications, including many students from other colleges, was taken into account in the selection and presentation of content and learning activities offered in this module. This is a Unisa signature module, which is important for your qualification, as it orientates you to societal issues. It is set on NQF level 5 – the first higher education level in your degree, diploma, or certificate. This is a 12-credit module, which means that an average student will require about 121 hours to complete it. You will be exploring the discipline of Computer and Information Sciences, and more specifically, the field of Data Entry and Microcomputer Applications. This module is presented in English only as this is the predominant language in this field of study. 3 CURRICULUM TRANSFORMATION