Computer-based support for science education materials developers in Africa : exploring potentials

CASCADE-SEA stands for Computer Assisted Curriculum Analysis, Design and Evaluation for Science (and mathematics) Education in Africa; and is the name of a computer program that was developed during the course of the study described in this book. This research was initiated to explore the potential of the computer to support curriculum materials development within the context of secondary level science and mathematics education in southern Africa. By carefully documenting the iterative process of analysis, prototype design, evaluation and revision, insights were sought with regard to the characteristics of a valid and practical tool that possesses the potential to impact the performance of its users. The results of this study include the concrete output of the CASCADE-SEA system, which assists users in producing better quality materials than they otherwise would (without the aid of this tool) while learning from the development process. This research has also contributed to the articulation of design principles and related development research methods.