Inclusion of digital records in the archives and records management curricula in a comprehensive open distance e-learning environment

Abstract

Recent developments in the knowledge economy impact on the archival profession globally. Key components of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), such as blockchain technology and artificial intelligence are influencing the manner and context in which digital records in organisations are managed. This has necessitated the University of South Africa, a comprehensive open distance e-learning institution (CODeL), through the Department of Information Science, to evaluate and recurriculate its postgraduate programme in archives and records management. The key aim of this recurriculation was to ensure alignment with international trends and practices in digital records management practices. The revised programme offers graduates an opportunity to keep abreast with various technological and digital records discipline-related developments with reference to knowledge and information governance, data curatorship and management, as well as archival diplomatics and digital records forensics. This qualitative study used literature review, as well as personal experiences to explore the revision of an archives and records management curriculum in a CODeL environment to make it relevant to technological transformations unique to the 4IR. In our analysis, we recommend the inclusion of computational archival science in the responsive curriculum, to enable graduates to acquire skills in the application of technological tools, methods and resources pertaining to digital records processing, analysis, storage, long-term preservation, and access. The focus of the recurriculation was to improve the efficiency, productivity, and precision in support of appraisal, arrangement and description, preservation, and access towards enhanced digital records management practices. The study also reports on the framework for team approach in the development of the programme, as well as elements of transformation to reflect Africanisation in the curriculum.