Liezel started her tertiary education at the UFS in 1993 where she completed her B.Sc. (Computer Science), B.Sc.Hons. (Computer Science), M.Sc. (Geographic Information Systems) and Ph.D. (Higher Education Studies) degrees.

From 1997 until March 2003 she worked as a lecturer at the Department of Information Technology at the Central University of Technology (former Technikon Free State). During this time she was responsible for the lecturing of various courses, including System Analysis & Design, Databases, Principles of Computers, Artificial Intelligence, Expert Systems, User Interfaces and Internet Programming, from 2nd year up to B.Tech level. 

Liezel joined our department in April 2003. She is currently responsible for the web development and Internet programming modules on both undergraduate and post-graduate level. In 2011, she was awarded the UFS Vice-chancellor`s award for Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. In the same year, she was also one of five recipients of the HELTASA & Council for Higher Education (CHE) National Excellence in Teaching and Learning award. More recently, she was the winner of the 2020 UFS Excellence in Learning and Teaching award in the category: Research in Teaching and Learning.

Her main research interests lie with the integration of various educational technologies to enhance the teaching and learning experiences of Computer Science students. Liezel’s teaching philosophy is geared towards the empowerment of her students – to put them in a better position to take control of their own learning experiences. 

PUBLICATIONS (ACCREDITED JOURNALS)

Van Staden, C., & Nel, L. 2023. Using WhatsApp-based mobile learning environments during abrupt switches to online learning: A duoethnographic account. Perspectives in Education, 41(1): 195-210. DOI:10.38140/pie.v41i1.6294

Khomokhoana, P.J. & Nel, L. 2020. Decoding the underlying cognitive processes and related support strategies utilised by expert instructors during source code comprehension. South African Computer Journal, 32(2): 232-257. DOI:10.18489/sacj.v32i2.811

Nel, L. 2017. Students as collaborators in creating meaningful learning experiences in technology-enhanced classrooms: An engaged scholarship approach. British Journal of Educational Technology (BJET) 48(5): 1131-1142. DOI:10.1111/bjet.12549. 

Pachagadu, S. & Nel, L. 2016. A customised framework for effective podcast integration in a South African higher education environment. Progressio 38(1):14-32. DOI: 10.25159/0256-8853/729

Mase, M.B. & Nel, L. 2016. An exploration of student learning through the use of real and simulated learning environments. Journal of New Generation Sciences (JNGS) 14(1):77-91.

Nel, G., Nel, L. & Cronje, J. 2015. Attributes contributing to students` use of quality software development practices. The African Journal of Information and Communication (AJIC) 15:38-50. 

Rambe, P.J. & Nel, L. 2015. Technological utopia, dystopia and ambivalence: Teaching with Social Media at a South African university. British Journal of Educational Technology 46(3): 629-648. 

Nel, L. & Ndereya, C.N. 2011. Enhancing online social presence: The role of communication. Progressio 33(1): 116-137. 

Nel, E. & Wilkinson, A.C. 2008. Establishing a preliminary framework for effective blended learning practices in the undergraduate classroom: A South African perspective on selected aspects. South African Journal of Higher Education. 22(1): 146-176. 

Nel, L. & Wilkinson, A. 2006. Enhancing Collaborative Learning in a Blended Learning Environment: Applying a Process Planning Model. Systemic Practice & Action Research. 19(6): 553-576. DOI:10.1007/s11213-006-9043-3.

Wilkinson, A.C., Wilkinson, L. & Nel, G. 2001. Balancing quality and access in higher education. Acta Academica. 33(2): 127-145. 

PUBLICATIONS (Chapters in Scopus-indexed Publications)

Khomokhoana, P.J. & Nel, L. 2023. A Framework to Assist Instructors Help Novice Programmers to Better Comprehend Source Code - A Decoding Perspective. In: Gervasi, O., et al. Computational Science and Its Applications – ICCSA 2023. ICCSA 2023. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 13956 . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-36805-9_44

Khomokhoana P.J. & Nel, L. 2022. Mapping the Problem-Solving Strategies of Novice Programmers to Polya’s Framework: SWOT Analysis as a Bottleneck Identification Tool. In: Leung W.S., Coetzee M., Coulter D., Cotterrell D. (eds) ICT Education. SACLA 2021. Communications in Computer and Information Science (Vol 1461). Springer, Cham. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-95003-3_9  

Mase M.B. & Nel, L. 2022. Common Code Writing Errors Made by Novice Programmers: Implications for the Teaching of Introductory Programming. In: Leung W.S., Coetzee M., Coulter D., Cotterrell D. (eds) ICT Education. SACLA 2021. Communications in Computer and Information Science (Vol 1461). Springer, Cham. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-95003-3_7  

Khomokhoana, P.J. & Nel, L. 2020. Decoding Source Code Comprehension: Bottlenecks Experienced by Senior Computer Science Students. In: Tait B., Kroeze J., Grunder S. (eds) ICT Education. SACLA 2019. Communications in Computer and Information Science (Vol 1136, pp. 17-32). Springer, Cham. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-35629-3_2 

Nel, G. & Nel, L. 2019. Motivational value of Code.org’s Code Studio tutorials in an undergraduate programming course. In: Gruner S. (Ed.) ICT Education. SACLA 2018. Communications in Computer and Information Science (Vol 963, pp. 173-188) Springer, Cham. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-05813-5_12

Radebe, F.M. & Nel, L. 2016. Effective Integration of a Student Response System in An Undergraduate Computer Science Classroom: An Active-Engagement Instructional Strategy. In: Gruner S. (Ed.) ICT Education. SACLA 2016. Communications in Computer and Information Science (Vol 642, pp. 95-103). Springer, Cham. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-47680-3_9

PUBLICATIONS (Peer-reviewed Conference Proceedings)

Tam, K, De Wet, L. & Nel, L. 2021. Virtual reality education: A potential catalyst to the next stage of the evolving pedagogy. Proceedings of the digiTAL 2021 conference. December 2021.

Nel, G. & Nel, L. 2015. Improving program quality: The role of process measurement data. In E. Coleman (Ed.), Proceedings of the 44th annual Southern African Computer Lecturers Association (SACLA 2015) (pp.1-6), 02-03 July, Johannesburg, South Africa. Johannesburg: University of the Witwatersrand. ISBN: 978-0-620-65158-5.

Rambe, P.J. & Nel, L. 2013. A reality check on student mobile adoption and content creation in resource-constrained environments. In M. Ciussi & M. Augier (Eds.), Proceedings of the 12^th European Conference on e-Learning (ECEL 2013) (Vol 2, pp. 401-410). Reading, UK: Academic Conferences and Publishing International Limited (ACPI). ISBN: 978-1-909507-84-5.

Rambe, P.J. & Nel, L. 2013. Student perceptions on the usefulness of educational technologies at a South African university. In M. Ciussi & M. Augier (Eds.), Proceedings of the 12^th European Conference on e-Learning (ECEL 2013) (Vol 2, pp. 411-419). Reading, UK: Academic Conferences and Publishing International Limited (ACPI). ISBN: 978-1-909507-84-5. 

Nel, L. 2010. Bridging teaching-learning gaps: Engagement through technology. Proceedings of the 2010 conference of the South African Computer Lecturers Association (SACLA Proceedings 2010). Pretoria: University of Pretoria. ISBN: 978-0-620-47173-2. 

Nel, L. 2010. Blended learning in South African undergraduate classrooms: Directives for the effective use of a Learning Management System. In P.A. van Brakel (Ed.), Proceedings of the 12th annual conference on World Wide Web applications (WWW 2010). Cape Town: Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Available from http://www.zaw3.co.za/index.php/ZA-WWW/2010/paper/viewFile/236/84 

Nel, L. & Wilkinson, A. 2007. Blended Learning, Collaboration and Cultural Diversity: South African Perspectives. New learning 2.0? Emerging digital territories, Developing communities – New divides. EDEN annual conference, 13- 16 June 2007, Naples, Italy. Book of abstracts and electronic proceedings (CD). ISBN: 978-963-06-2655-2.

Nel, E. 2006. Enhancing online collaboration practices in South African undergraduate classrooms. In P.A. van Brakel (Ed.), Proceedings of the 8th annual conference on World Wide Web applications (WWW 2006). Cape Town: Cape Peninsula University of Technology. 

Nel, G. & Wilkinson, L. 2001. Where is the "Any Key", Sir? Experiences of an African Teacher-To-Be. In J. Price et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2001(pp. 365-370). Chesapeake, VA: AACE. 

Wilkinson, A. & Wilkinson, L. 2001. Teachers On-Line in Africa: The Issue of Access. In J. Price et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2001 (pp. 3090-3095). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.

Wilkinson, L. & Nel, G. 2001. "Adopt-a-School" – a Program of Hope in a South African Community. In J. Price et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2001(pp. 2822-2823). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.

PAPERS DELIVERED AT NATIONAL CONFERENCES

Khomokhoana P.J. & Nel, L. 2021. Mapping the Problem-Solving Strategies of Novice Programmers to Polya’s Framework: SWOT Analysis as a Bottleneck Identification Tool. The 50^th annual conference of the Southern African Computer Lecturers Association (SACLA 2021), July 2021, South Africa. (Best paper award) 

Mase M.B. & Nel, L. 2021. Common Code Writing Errors Made by Novice Programmers: Implications for the Teaching of Introductory Programming. The 50^th annual conference of the Southern African Computer Lecturers Association (SACLA 2021), July 2021, South Africa. 

Khomokhoana, P.J. & Nel, L. 2019. Decoding Source Code Comprehension: Bottlenecks Experienced by Senior Computer Science Students. The 48^th annual Southern African Computer Lecturers Association (SACLA 2019), July 2019, Alpine Heath Resort, Northern Drakensberg, South Africa. (Best paper award)

Nel, L. & Nel, G. 2018. Motivational value of Code.org’s Code Studio tutorials in an undergraduate programming course. The 47^th annual Southern African Computer Lecturers Association (SACLA 2018), June 2018, Gordon`s Bay, South Africa.

Mase, M.B. & Nel, L. 2016. Effective integration of a student response system in an undergraduate Computer Science classroom: An active-engagement instructional strategy. The 45^th annual Southern African Computer Lecturers Association (SACLA 2016), 05-06 July 2016, Cullinan, South Africa.

Nel, G. & Nel, L. 2015. Improving program quality: The role of process measurement data. The 44th annual Southern African Computer Lecturers Association (SACLA 2015), 02-03 July 2015, Johannesburg, South Africa. (Best paper award)

Nel, L. 2014. Enhancing student engagement through collaborative tablet-based classroom activities. Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association of Southern Africa (HELTASA) Conference. Bloemfontein. November 2014.

Mase, M.B. & Nel, L. 2014. An exploration of student learning through the use of real and simulated learning environments. Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association of Southern Africa (HELTASA) Conference. Bloemfontein. November 2014.

Nel, L. 2011. 21^st Century Teaching Tales. Paper delivered at the annual conference of the Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association of Southern Africa (HELTASA). Port Elizabeth. December 2011.

Nel, L. 2010. Bridging teaching-learning gaps: Engagement through technology. Annual conference of the South African Computer Lecturers Association (SACLA 2010). Pretoria. June 2010.

Nel, L. 2010. Blended learning in South African undergraduate classrooms: Directives for the effective use of a Learning Management System. 12th Annual conference on World Wide Web applications (WWW 2010). Durban. 21 - 23 September 2010.

Nel, L. & Ndereya, C.N. 2010. Enhancing online social presence: The role of communication. NADEOSA-NWU Distance learning and education conference 2010. Potchefstroom. September 2010. 

Ndereya, C.N. & Nel. L. 2009. Online collaboration: Facilitating to Fulfil Cognitive & Social Objectives. Paper delivered at the 2009 Blackboard: Africa User Conference. Bloemfontein. 16-17 April 2009.

Smart, A., Van der Linde, L., Wilkinson, A. & Nel, L. 2009. From Barriers to Implementation: A Case Study in Implementing E-Learning on a Campus. Paper delivered at the 2009 Blackboard: Africa User Conference. Bloemfontein. 16-17 April 2009.

Ndereya, C.N. & Nel, L. 2009. Enhancing social presence to humanise the online learning environment. Poster to be presented at the Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association of Southern Africa (HELTASA) Conference at the University of Johannesburg in November 2009.

Van Jaarsveldt, D. & Nel, L. 2009. Culture and technology: A challenge for higher education. Paper to be presented at the New Generation University Conference at Vaal University of Technology in November 2009.

Nel, E. 2007. Communication & Interaction in the Blended Learning Environment: Perspectives Gained in an Action Inquiry. Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association of Southern Africa (HELTASA) Conference 2007. Bloemfontein. 19-21 November 2007.

Nel, E. & Wilkinson, A.C. 2006. Voices from a South African blended learning classroom: Reflections based on an action research diary. Annual conference of the Education Association of South Africa (EASA – OVSA 2006). Bloemfontein. 18 - 20 January 2006. 

Nel, E. 2006. Enhancing online collaboration practices in South African undergraduate classrooms. 8th Annual conference on World Wide Web applications. Bloemfontein. 5 - 6 September 2006. 

Wilkinson, A.C. & Nel, E. 2002.Perspectives on indicators of good practice in South African higher education. Paper delivered at the annual conference of the South African Association for Research and Development in Higher Education (SAARDHE), Peninsula Technikon, Cape Town, July 2002. 

Wilkinson, A.C. & Wilkinson, E. 2001. Quality Practice in Distance/On-line Education – Applying Global Standards in South African Higher Education. Biannual conference of the South African Association for Research and Development in Higher Education (SAARDHE 2001). Bloemfontein. March 2001. 

Wilkinson, A.C., Wilkinson E. & Nel G. 2000. Quality assurance in Higher Education: Will Cybereducation pass the test? Conference on Information Technology in Tertiary Education (CITTE) 2000. Port Elizabeth. June 2000.

Wilkinson, E. 2000. Online Education: Issues of Quality and Access. Technikon Computer Lecturers’ Association (TECLA) Conference 2000. Durban. March 2000.

PAPERS DELIVERED AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

Rambe, P.J. & Nel, L. 2013. A reality check on student mobile adoption and content creation in resource-constrained environments. The 12^th European Conference on e-Learning (ECEL 2013), 30-31 October 2013, Sophia Antipolis, France.

Rambe, P.J. & Nel, L. 2013. Student perceptions on the usefulness of educational technologies at a South African university. The 12^th European Conference on e-Learning (ECEL 2013), 30-31 October 2013, Sophia Antipolis, France. 

Nel, L. & Wilkinson, A. 2007. Blended Learning, Collaboration and Cultural Diversity: South African Perspectives. Annual Conference of the European Distance and E-Learning Network Secretariat (EDEN 2007). Naples, Italy. 13-16 June 2007. 

Nel, L. 2005. Incorporating Student Feedback in the Enhancement of Online Collaborative Activities. Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Computers in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (4th ICCTHE). Beijing, China. July 2005.

Nel, L. & Wilkinson, A. 2005. Design for Interaction: The Implementation of a Collaborative E-Learning Approach in Undergraduate Education. Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Computers in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (4th ICCTHE). Beijing, China. July 2005.

Nel. G. & Wilkinson, L. 2001. Where is the “Any Key”, Sir? Experiences of an African Teacher-To-Be. 12th International Conference of the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education (SITE 2001). Orlando, USA. 5-10 March 2001.

Wilkinson, A.C. & Wilkinson, L. 2001. Teachers On-Line in Africa: The Issue of Access. 12th International Conference of the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education (SITE 2001). Orlando, USA. 5-10 March 2001.

Wilkinson, L. & Nel. G. 2001. “Adopt-a-School” – A Program of Hope in a South African Community. 12th International Conference of the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education (SITE 2001). Orlando, USA. 5-10 March 2001.

Nel, L. & Wilkinson, A. 2007. Blended Learning, Collaboration and Cultural Diversity: South African Perspectives. New learning 2.0? Emerging digital territories, Developing communities – New divides. EDEN annual conference, 13- 16 June 2007, Naples, Italy. Book of abstracts and electronic proceedings (CD). ISBN: 978-963-06-2655-2.

• Computer Science Education
• Decoding the Disciplines
• Educational Technology
• Scholarship of Teaching & Learning
• Culturally Responsive Teaching
• Digital Pedagogy
• Action Research
• Student Voice

• Introduction to the Internet and web page development (Level 6)
• Internet Programming (Level 7)
• Advanced Internet Programming (Level 8)