Enhancing Maritime Higher Education through Technology in a Developing Context

Improving access to higher education and enhancing citizens’ skills and knowledge can play a crucial role in South Africa’s development. Twenty-five years ago, most of the population in South Africa did not have access to higher education. The situation has changed significantly, although there is room for improvement. This study explored the educators’ awareness of the benefits and impediments of blended learning, online distance learning, and virtual exchange or virtual engagement versus face-to-face teaching and learning on campus at maritime higher education and training institutions in South Africa. The study included the educators’ readiness to adopt novel forms of knowledge transfer based on emerging technology. The methodological approach is a case study. Interviews and questionnaires were used as data collection tools, and 30 experienced educators from the South African maritime higher education and training institutions were involved. The findings of the study should assist these South African institutions to model and evaluate the feasibility of using technology as an agent for transformative education and as an enabler for the development and accreditation of online distance learning programmes. The results support the use of the best possible blend of cutting-edge digital technology, creative pedagogical approaches, and classical pedagogy. Once successfully implemented and supported by new technologies, online distance learning programmes can serve as a model for maritime higher education and training institutions in South Africa and similar developing environments.