Staff Computer Science and Informatics

Prof Lizette De Wet

Position

Associate Professor

Department

Computer Science and Informatics

Address

WWG 309

Computer Science and Informatics

IB 65

Telephone

0514013705

Office

Mathematical Sciences Building 206

Information

Short CV

I matriculated in Piet Retief in Mpumalanga, South Africa, in 1982. I received my tertiary education at the University of Pretoria (1983-1986), University of South Africa (1991-1994), and the University of the Free State (1997-1999). My PhD thesis was entitled: The Presentation of a Model of an Electronic Patient Record System for use in General Practice in South Africa. I have been happily married to Frikkie for the past 35 years and we have three daughters: Elsa, Estie and Lize.

I started my career working for the The Togaat Hulett-Group (Pty) Ltd with whom I held a scholarship, in Kwa-Zulu Natal, first as treasury assistant, and later as marketing analyst (1987-1990). In 1991 I was appointed as Computer Scientist at the University of South Africa in Pretoria and promoted to Senior Computer Scientist in 1993. In 1995 we moved to Bloemfontein where I started my academic career at the University of the Free State, first as Lecturer, then in 2001 as Senior Lecturer, and as Associated Professor from 2021. Therefore i have 30 years of experience in the academic environment.

I taught a variety of subjects, namely the Introduction to computers for scientific environments, Introduction to computers for business environments, User Interfaces, Introduction to databases and database management systems, Project Management (Honours), and User Interfaces (Honours and Masters).

I also served as Programme Director for B.Sc. (IT) at the UFS for 6 years until 2008.

Research focus: My research focus for the past few years has been on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), specifically on the evaluation of usability and the user experience (UX). This involves different application domains where a variety of methods are applied in evaluating the usability and UX. One of these application domains involve Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) where physiological evaluation is performed using brain wave patterns of participants to deduct their UX at the time of interacting with a computer product. I have also started working with post-graduate students in the area of Virtual Reality (VR), for example in the training of nursing students and the training of undergraduate students to assemble a personal computer. Publications will be listed in this document.

Currently I am teaching modules in HCI on 2^nd, Honours and Masters’ levels, and am in charge of the Honours Research Methodology module. I have also been involved in teaching modules like C++ Programming, Databases and Project Management over the past few years. In 2008 I received the Teaching & Learning Award from the Faculty of Natural & Agricultural Sciences for excellence in the field of teaching and learning at the University of the Free State. In 2019 I received my UFS 25 Year Service Award. I have successfully been the supervisor and promotor for Masters’ (12 students) and PhD students (5 students). Of the 12 Masters’ students whom I have supervised, 7 obtained their degrees Cum Laude, while 3 of the rest obtained a final mark of 70% or higher. For the past 25 years I have also been supervisor between one and three Honours Project per year.

In the academic community, I have been recognised as knowledgeable and one of the leading forces in HCI teaching and research in SA. I won the departmental Flash Fact Research Competition in the Department of Computer Science and Informatics in June 2022. In June 2022 I received the Best Reviewer in the IT Track Award at the SAICSIT 2022 Conference that took place in Cape Town July 2022. I have been asked to perform as external examiner for Master’s and PhD students for a variety of universities, including the University of South Africa (UNISA), University of Pretoria (UP), University of Cape Town (UCT), RHODES, Central University of Technology (CUT), University of Johannesburg (UJ) and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU). I also act as external moderator for these institutions (numerous modules).

I have served on the programme committees of various national and international conferences (SACLA, SAICSIT, ECIS, HISA, HIMJ, ACCC, CHIRA. IARIA and ICACCE) and have served as referee for national and international journals, like the South African Computer Journal (SACJ), Journal for Organizational End User Computing (JOEUC), African Journal of Technology, Innovation and Development (AJTID), International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction (IJHCI) and the Journal of Information Security and Applications (JISA). I have been the only South Africa representative on the Editorial Board of the JOEUC from 2002 until present, and in 2023, I was asked to join the Editorial Board of Frontiers in Neuroscience (Brain-Computer Interfaces).

Publications

(A) Chapter in book

MABANZA, N. & DE WET, L. 2014. Chapter: Determining the Usability Effect of Pedagogical Interface Agents on Adult Computer Literacy Training in Ivanovic, M. & Jain, L.C. (Editors): E-Learning Paradigms and Applications – Agent-based Approach, Series 7092: 145-183. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

(B) Accredited Journal Publications

DE WET, L., McDONALD, T. & PISTORIUS, G.J. 2001. The Electronic Patient Record (EPR) in South Africa. South African Family Practice, Vol. 23: 5, pp. 5-11. August/September 2001.

DE WET, L. & VAN ASWEGEN, W. 2005. Determining the Usability of Computer Input Devices by Parkinson’s isease Sufferers. South African Family Practice, 47(1), 2005.

MOETI, L., DE WET, L. & BEELDERS, T. 2010. Usability Challenges of Upgrading a Word Processor User Interface. Journal for New Generation Sciences, 8(3).

Verkijika, S.F. & De Wet, L. 2015. Using a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) in Reducing Math Anxiety: Evidence from South Africa. Computers & Education, 81, 113-122.

SWANEPOEL, E.H., BEYERS, C. & DE WET, L. 2017. Exploring Judgement and Internal Bias of Life Orientation Teachers in Sexuality Teaching. The Journal for Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa.

Verkijika, S.F. & De Wet, L. 2017. Determining the Accessibility of e-Government Websites in Sub-Saharan Africa against WCAG 2.0 Standard. International Journal of Electronic Government Research, 13(1).

VERKIJIKA, S.F. & DE WET, L. 2018. A usability assessment of e-government websites in Sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal of Information Management, 39, 20-29 (Impact factor: 4.516)

VERKIJIKA, S.F. & DE WET, L. 2018. E-government adoption in sub-Saharan Africa. Electronic Commerce Research and Applications. Volume 30, July–August 2018, Pages 83-93 (Impact factor: 2.582)

VERKIJIKA, S.F. & DE WET, L. 2018. Quality Assessment of E-Government Websites in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Public Values Perspective. Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, DOI: 10.1002/isd2.12015 (IBSS and Scopus accredited)

VERKIJIKA, S.F. & DE WET, L. 2018. Accessibility of South African University Websites. Universal Access in the Information Society (UAIS): https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-018-0632-6 Springer (Impact factor: 1.176)

VERKIJIKA, S.F. & DE WET, L. 2019. Understanding word-of-mouth (WOM) intentions of mobile app users: the role of simplicity and emotions during the first interaction. Telematics and Informatics. (Impact factor 3.714)

VENTER, MI & DE WET, L. 2019. Model for the Continuance Use Intention of Mobile Learning Games. Journal for New Generation Sciences. 2019: (17), 1, p. 73-89; ISSN 1684-4998.

DE WET, L. & POTGIETER, L. 2019. The impact of binaural beats on user performance and emotions using a BCI for robot control. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing: Springer Digital Library, Vol 972, 93-105.

LONERGAN, M., DE WET, L. & BURGER, A.J. 2020. Technology as a Tool to Improve Student Understanding of Assessment Questions. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing: Springer Digital Library, Vol 1217, 250 – 256.

Botha, B. S., De Wet, L., Botma, Y. (2021). Experts’ review of a virtual environment for virtual clinical simulation in South Africa. Computer Animation and Virtual Worlds, 32(2), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1002/cav.1983

Nel W., De Wet L., Schall R. (2021) Randomised Controlled Cross-Over Trial Measuring Brain-Computer Interface Metrics to Characterise the User Experience of Search Engines When Ambiguous Search Queries Are Used. In: Escalona M.J., Ramirez A.J., Silva H.P., Constantine L., Helfert M., Holzinger A. (eds) Computer-Human Interaction Research and Applications. CHIRA 2018, CHIRA 2019. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 1351. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67108-2_6

Botha, B. S., de Wet, L., & Botma, Y. (2021). Undergraduate Nursing Student Experiences in Using Immersive Virtual Reality to Manage a Patient with a Foreign Object in the Right Lung. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 56, 76–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2020.10.008

(C) Accredited Peer-Reviewed Conference Publications

DE WET, L., McDONALD, T., PISTORIUS, G.J. 1998. The Electronic Patient Record in General Practice – A South African Perspective. Proceedings of the Ninth World Congress on Medical Informatics 1998: Seoul, South Korea, 1:9-13.

DE WET, L., BLIGNAUT, P.J., & BURGER, A. 2001. Comprehension and Usability Variances among Multicultural Web Users in South Africa. Proceedings of CHI-SA: Pretoria, SA, September 2001.

DE WET, L & McDONALD T, 2006. Gender and Cultural Differences (If Any!): South African School Children and Computer Games, Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Computer Games (CG 2006): Turin, Italy, May 2006.

Verkijika, S & De Wet, L. 2010. A Unique and Innovative ICT Approach to Empowering Businesses in Africa. 3^rd International Conference on ICT for Africa: Yaounde, Cameroon: 25 - 28 March 2010 (presentation and poster session).

Mabanza, N. & De Wet, L. 2010. Measuring the Usability Effect of Incorporating Educational Agents in Adult Computer Literacy Training in the South African Context. IST-Africa (Information Society Technologies in Africa) 2010: Durban, South Africa: 19 - 21 May 2010 (poster session).

DOLLMAN, G., DE WET, L. & BEELDERS, T. 2013. Effectiveness with EEG BCIs: Exposure to traditional input methods as a factor of performance. Proceedings of SAICSIT 2013. SA

NEL, W. & DE WET, L. 2013. An investigation into the Internet and search engine experience of a diverse group of first year university students. Proceedings of the WWW Conference: Potchefstroom (November 2013).

Mabanza, N. & De Wet, L. 2014. Adult Learner Interaction with Pedagogical Interface Agents during Computer Literacy Training. 2nd International Conference on Applied Information and Communications Technology - ICAICT 2014. ISBN: 9789351072850. Elsevier

Venter, MI, Van der Walt, AB & De Wet, L. 2014. The implementation of linked courses for graduate students at CUT: A pilot study. Proceedings of the SATN Annual Conference 2014 SA.

DOLLMAN, G., DE WET, L. & BEELDERS, T. 2015. Commercial Brain Computer Interfaces: Potential as a Natural User Interface. Proceedings of SAICSIT 2015: SA.

Nkalai, T. S., de Wet, L. and Schall, R. 2015. Comparing the Sensor Glove and Questionnaire as Measures of Computer Anxiety. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Physiological Computing Systems (PhyCS), pp. 93-103, Angers, France: 11-13 February, 2015.

VENTER, M., DE WET, L., VAN DER WALT, A. & SWART, A. 2015. An Investigation of the Use of Mobile Mathematics Applications: An African Perspective. Proceedings of FIE 2015. El Paso, Texas: 22-24 October 2015.

VERKIJIKA, S.F. & DE WET, L. E-government Development in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): Relationship with Macro Level Indices and Possible Implications. Proceedings of IST-Africa 2016: Durban, 11-13 May 2016.

VENTER, M.I. & DE WET, L. 2016. Continuance Use Intention of Primary School Learners toward Mobile Mathematical Applications. Proceedings of FIE 2016. Erie, Pennsylvania, USA: 13 – 16 October 2016.

WARIO R, IRERI BN & DE WET L. 2016. An Evaluation of iPad as a Learning tool in Higher Education within a Rural Catchment: A Case Study at a South African University. Proceedings of 7th International Conference on Internet Technologies & Society (ITS) 2016 (ISBN 978-989-8533-58-6), Page 91-99. Melbourne, Australia: 6 - 8 December 2016.

MABANZA, N. & DE WET, L. (2018). Influence of Previous Computer Experience on Adult Learners’ Satisfaction. Proceedings of International Conference on Big Data, Computing and Data Communication Systems: 6-7 August 2018 (Durban, South Africa): p.542 – 546.

DE WET, L. & POTGIETER, L. 2019. The impact of binaural beats on user performance and emotions using a BCI for robot control. Proceedings of the International Conference for Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics (AHFE 2019): Advances in Usability and User Experience Springer Digital Library, Vol 972, 93-105: Washington DC, 24 – 28 July 2019.

NEL, W., DE WET, L. & SCHALL, R. 2019. The Effect of Search Engine, Search Term and Occasion on Brain-Computer Interface Metrics for Emotions When Ambiguous Search Queries Are Used. Proceedings of the 3^rd International Conference on Computer-Human Interaction Research and Applications (CHIRA 2019), Editors: Siva, H.P., Ramirez, A.J., Holzinger, A., Helfert, M. & Constantine, L. p.28 - 39: Vienna, Austria: 20-21 September 2019.

BOTHA BS, DE WET L, BOTMA Y. 2020. Usability of a Foreign Body Object Scenario in VR for Nursing Education, 2020 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces Abstracts and Workshops (VRW), P787-788, DOI 10.1109/VRW50115.2020.00242. IEEE Catalog Number: CFP20X08-ART, ISBN: 978-1-7281-6532-5

LONERGAN, M., DE WET, L. & BURGER, A.J. 2020. Technology as a Tool to Improve Student Understanding of Assessment Questions. Proceedings of the International Conference for Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics (AHFE 2020): Advances in Usability, User Experience, Wearable and Assistive Technology, Springer Digital Library, Vol 1217, 250 – 256: Presented virtually by Dr. Lizette de Wet.

Nel, W.; De Wet, L. and Schall, R. (2020). Randomised Controlled Trial of the Usability of Major Search Engines (Google, Yahoo! and Bing) When using Ambiguous Search Queries. In Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Computer-Human Interaction Research and Applications - Volume 1: CHIRA, ISBN 978-989-758-480-0, pages 152-161. DOI: 10.5220/0010133601520161

CASAM, N.N., WARIO, R.D. & DE WET, L. 2021. Pedagogical Interface Agent for Kenyan Sign Language. In Proceedings of the International Conference for Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics (AHFE 2021): Advances in Usability, User Experience, Wearable and Assistive Technology, Springer Digital Library, Vol 275, 461 – 468: Presented virtually by Dr. Ruth Wario, 25-29 July 2021.

TAM, K., DE WET, L. & NEL, L. 2021. VR Education: A potential catalyst to the next stage of the evolving pedagogy. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Teaching, Assessment and Learning in the Digital Age (digiTAL 2021, 2-3 December 2021).

Nel W., De Wet L., Schall R. (2022). The Value of Brain-Computer Interface Measurements When Using Ambiguous Search Queries. In: Proceedings of the 2022 Future of Information and Communications Conference (FICC), Series Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems 438, Volume 1: 722–740: Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.

MHLONGO, T., DE WET, L. & VERKIJIKA, S.F. (2023). Determining the User Experience and Continuance Use of a Mobile Application and an Online Portal: A Comparative Case Study IN Proceedings of 10th International Conference on Human Interaction &Emerging Technologies, Vol 111: 419-429: AHFE Open Access. Nice, France: 22 - 24 August 2023.

(D) Other Conference Publications and Participation

DE WET, L. 2000. The B.Com. (IT) degree: A Private Sector Perspective. Presented at the South African Computer Lecturers’ Association (SACLA), Strand, SA.

DU PLESSIS, A. & DE WET, L. 2010. Mens-Rekenaar Interaksie: ‘n Nuwe Dimensie, Akademie vir Wetenskap & Kuns Studentesimposium, Pretoria, SA.

Potgieter, L. & De Wet, L., 2010, Die assessering van die impak van virtuele opvoedkundige koppelvlak-agente op volwassenes met beperkte of geen rekenaarvaardighede, Akademie vir Wetenskap & Kuns Studentesimposium, Pretoria, SA.

Potgieter, L. & De Wet, L., 2011, Die assessering van die impak van virtuele opvoedkundige koppelvlak-agente op volwassenes met beperkte of geen rekenaarvaardighede, Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif vir Natuurwetenskap en Tegnologie 30(1), Art. #266, 1 page. http://dx.doi. org/10.4102/satnt.v30i1.266.

GREEFF, F., DE WET, L. & NEL, W. 2011. Die Kombinering van Fisiologiese- en Tradisionele Gebruikertoetstegnieke om Sosiale Netwerke op Verskeie Tegnologiese Platforms te Evalueer, Akademie vir Wetenskap & Kuns Studentesimposium, Pretoria, SA.

Potgieter, L. & De Wet, L., 2011. Evaluering van die impak van Bi-nurale Ritmes op Gebruikerprestasie met behulp van `n Brein-Rekenaar Koppelvlak, Akademie vir Wetenskap & Kuns Studentesimposium, Pretoria, SA.

NKALAI, T. & DE WET, L. 2011. Comparing the Sensor Glove and Eye-Tracker as Alternatives to Measure Computer Anxiety, SAICSIT 2011 Post-graduate Student Symposium, Cape Town, SA.

DOLLMAN, G., DE WET, L. & BEELDERS, T. 2011. The effects of access to technology on the usability of a BCI, SAICSIT 2011 Post-graduate Student Symposium, Cape Town, SA.

DE WET, L., GREEFF, F. & NEL, W. 2012. Comparing Questionnaire and Physiological Usability Testing Results for a Social Network. International Conference on Innovations of Information System & Computer Engineering (ECIISCE 2012), Vienna, Austria. May 2012.

DOLLMAN, G., DE WET, L. & BEELDERS, T. 2013. Effectiveness with EEG BCIs: Exposure to Traditional Input Methods as a Factor of Performance. Short paper presented at SAICSIT 2013 conference.

Nel, W. & De Wet, L., 2014, ‘Dubbelsinnige Websoekstringe: ’n Vergelyking van Soekenjins en Gebruikersinteraksies’, Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif vir Natuurwetenskap en Tegnologie. 33(1), Art. #1021, 1 page. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/satnt.v33i1.1021

VENTER, M., VAN DER WALT, A., DE WET, L. & SWART, A. 2015. The Perceptions of Parents and Teachers toward the Use of Mobile Educational Mathematic Apps for Mathematic Instruction. International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) 2015: Kruger National Park, South Africa: 25 – 30 October 2015.

JANSE VAN RENSBURG S & L DE WET. 2016. Die Bestuur en Beheer van Golfkarretjies vir IT-dienslewering op ‘n Universiteits-kampus. Akademie vir Wetenskap & Kuns Studentesimposium in die Natuurwetenskappe, Potchefstroom, SA: 27-28 Oktober 2016.

VENTER, M.I., DE WET, L. & SWART A. 2016. Perceptions of Parents and Teachers towards the use of Mobile Apps for Mathematical Education. International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) 2016. Kruger National Park, Mopani camp, Phalaborwa, Limpopo, South Africa: 23-28 October 2016.

VENTER M.I. & DE WET L. 2016. Perceived Enjoyment of Educational Mathematical Applications. International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) 2016. Kruger National Park, Mopani camp, Phalaborwa, Limpopo, South Africa: 23-28 October 2016.

Botha B.S, De Wet L, Botma Y, 2020. Undergraduate nursing student experiences in using Immersive Virtual Reality to manage a patient with a foreign object in the airways. The University of the Free State. Teaching and Learning Conference 22 – 23 September 2020

DE WET L. 2021. Brain-Computer Interfaces – worth the effort in research, or not? Invited speaker at the Protea SIGCHI quarterly meeting on 2 June 2021.

DE WET L. 2022. Virtual Reality in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Research. Participated in the showcase on the field of eXtended realities (XR): The Reality of eXtended Rality (XR) at the UFS. 4th Floor, Sasol Library, Digital Scholarship Centre, UFS: 16 March 2022.

Publications (Short List)