Critical evaluation of GroupWare for teaching & learning, course administration and internal communication within the University of North West

Abstract

The University of Bophuthatswana Act (No. I0 of 1978) led to the appointment, by President Mangope, of the University Council, which held the first meeting on 28 September l 978. The Act charges the Council with the control of the University and all its affairs and activities. "Uppermost in my mind was the wish to create in our own country a university whose structures will be determined by the actual needs of today's people in today's world" (President, Kgosi Dr Lucas Mangope, 1992: 15) Today the universities key goal is teaching and learning. To better serve the need of its students, staff and clients while at the same time achieve its goal, the institution has pursued a vigorous changes on its IT system and IS policy. As part of the institution's communication strategy. it uses e-mail. Internet and Intranet as forms of electronic communication. Because of developments in technology and the high premium placed by the University on quality education. there is a need for the current mail system to be upgraded. This project seeks to provide brief definition of GroupWare systems as well as an overview of its features and benefits -with particular reference to Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes and Novell GroupWise. This report explores the features of Group Wise 6.0 and highlights some of its benefits to the University of the North West. This entails evaluating options for group-based user computing, collaborative systems and their impact on Teaching & Learning, Course Administration and Internal Communication. This report also compares the use of GroupWare application in production at other institutions and a local company.- Other areas of investigation that can improve the system both for Teaching & Learning. Course Administration and Internal communication are proposed.