Abstract:

Higher education institutions always intend to advance the quality of teaching and learning by introducing various programmes and systems. Technology has been playing a vital role to introduce such programmes and systems. The recent system that has been introduced in higher education is Learning Management System. Learning Management System is a software application that is used for various teaching and learning activities in higher education. The Learning Management System is another advanced teaching and learning platform as it relies on technology. Currently, promoting Learning Management System usage has been noted globally in higher education institutions. Therefore, this paper sought to provide a report on the impact of Learning Management Systems that are currently used in teacher education institutions in some South African teacher education institutions. This research employed a mixed-method approach, which means data was collected and analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. A questionnaire was designed and administered to collect quantitative data and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect qualitative data. A case study research design was used to guide the logic of this research. Further, this research was underpinned by Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was appropriate for this research as it provided the user with a comprehensive understanding of accepting the software and how to operate it. Ten student teachers were randomly sampled from two teacher education institutions for quantitative data (questionnaire) and four were purposively sampled for qualitative data (semi-structured interviews). Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 and thematic analysis was employed for qualitative data. Findings revealed that Learning Management System had both negative and positive impacts. Firstly, results revealed that Learning Management System improved the quality of teaching and learning as it gave the opportunity of various teaching and learning techniques, secondly, it was observed as a convenient technique for teaching and learning as it provides guidance and support to teaching and learning. Thirdly, improves student teachers’ capabilities of technology use in teaching and learning however challenges such as lack of technology resources, lack of internet access, and inadequate skills impact negatively teaching and learning. Due to the positive impacts of the Learning Management System, it is highly recommended that such software are encouraged in teacher education institutions.

Keywords:

Learning Management System, technology, teaching and learning, teacher education, Technology Acceptance Model (TAM).