Social challenges of using computers to teach socially disadvantaged groups in the new South Africa

In this paper we describe the social challenges of using computers to teach socially disadvantaged groups in the new South Africa. The majority of people from low socio-economic backgrounds are Africans. There is evidence that these learners perceive good education as a redress to their plight. As a result of this perception, students from historically disadvantaged social groups are in large and increasing numbers entering institutions characterised as \´historically advantaged\´. Be that as it may, these numbers are insignificantly small and are more likely to drop out. This paper reports on the state of the educational system for previously disadvantaged social groups, why the theme of this conference "learning communities on the Internet" remains a pipe dream for these social groups and how the Multimedia Education Group at the University of Cape Town is responding to the challenge through computer-based interventions.