This unit has forced me into
evaluating how far our own Ugandan education institutions are moving away from
the basic classroom and towards embracing new technology tools in teaching and
learning. I will show case four types of technology embrace and use:
Kyambogo
University has developed an e learning Management system (KELMS)
which encourages all trained staff to develop content for at least two
course units in their area of expertise and upload it in the e-platform. As a
result of this, quite a number of working class students have already expressed
interest to study online.
Makerere
University is using technology to augment traditional teaching
materials and methodologies through using the net as a major teaching aid –
supplementing texts which are costly, in short supply and often out of date.
As a result, Makerere now has a large number
of web-based courses available from reputable universities. As an example, over
900 courses from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are available
for web based learning (http://ocw.mit.edu/). The set of courses includes a
wide range of disciplines from Aeronautics to Writing (almost A–Z). This
OpenCourseWare is freely available, and Makerere has mounted a local mirror
copy18 of the entire set of courses.
Facilities such as MIT’s I-Labs (online
laboratories) is helping to relieve the pressure and deliver world-class
instructional materials (I-Labs are now in trial and will be widely deployed
with the help of MIT and Carnegie grants). Students of Architecture no longer
use drawing tables – They do all of their work using CAD/CAM software tools and
facilities.
At a broader level, a robust Teacher training in the integration of
ICTs in teaching and learning sponsored by the Commonwealth of Learning (CCTI) and using the Learning management systems (LMSs) is
currently on going. Through this platform the participants (as I am doing here)
are able to access the platform using a password. CCTI works modules with our
instructor based in South Africa the instructor selects and presents the
material to us. Sometimes we work individually sometimes we are organized in groups
with opportunities for (online) discussion, we work through the materials at
roughly the same pace, reflect on our blogs and assessment is by end-of-course
tests.
The advantage of using an LMS
(CCTI) platform here is the nature of its multimedia content. Text, video and
audio are fully integrated. Also the online discussion is mainly asynchronous
and the course content is available at anytime from anywhere with an
Internet connection.
Above all, the CCTI platform
is also flexible enough in many ways that break away from the traditional
classroom model.
Finally, The British Council
together with the Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU) and the Ministry of
Education organized the third Teachers Forum 26th- 28th October 2016 , with the theme “Digital
Literacy: The Effective Use of ICT in Enhancing the Quality of Education.”
Gayaza
High school attended the forum and show cased how ICT
integration is working for them. The deputy Head Teacher had this to say
"Technology helps us as
teachers the way we deliver information in the classrooms. It is a great
teaching aid in creating of content by not only the teachers... but thanks to
ICT students too can."
Gayaza High School has proven
that ICT can be used in making learning practical and activity based. As an
example, through Video shooting, students visited the market and designed
marketing tools. As a teaching aid, peer learning is more simplified and
exciting. Here is the link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKUYrGJbkZM
See how far we have come?
This is very resourceful and interesting Florence. I did not know that all this is going on!
ReplyDeleteThank You for the post Nellie. It gives us hope that at the end of the tunnel there is a light. I was only aware of the Gayaza High School use of ICT as I at the beginning of this year attended one of their workshops that was held at Kitante Hill School. I should say it was very good.
ReplyDeletehi Nellie, thanks for that information. I personally attended that workshop and indeed Gayaza has gone a long way. However, they mainly use IT in project based learning to enable their students develop 21st century skills. So far they are mainly putting content online. Real functional changes as you know is still a policy issue and they are yet to implement them!!However they have already moved ahead.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nellie for such an informative post. De can sée where we are.
DeleteThanks Nellie. You have taken us through the journey of Technology integration, Uganda chapter. but as you have noticed we are still miles behind.
ReplyDelete