The impact of the integration of literacy tasks on the literacy test results of computer applications technology learners

Abstract

Improving literacy is a world-wide challenge, especially in emerging economies. The inability to read and write has an economic and social impact on a country because it is linked to poverty, unemployment, social exclusion and crime. This study investigated the influence of the integration of theme-related literacy learning tasks in the grade 10 Computer Applications Technology (CAT) learning programme, on the literacy test results of grade 10 CAT learners as a possible solution to promote literacy. A total of 183 learners in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District in the North West Province of South Africa participated in the study. Computer Applications Technology learners wrote a standardised literacy pre-test at the beginning of the year, and a post-test ten months later to determine whether the integration of theme-related literacy tasks had any influence on their literacy test results. From the results of the empirical study, the conclusion could be made that the conscientious fulfilment of the integrated theme-related literacy tasks in the grade 10 Computer Applications Technology learning programme had a positive influence on the literacy test results of learners.