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A team of researchers from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology have established that the uptake of Online Teaching and Learning (OTL’s) methods have tremendously escalated and completely transformed teaching and learning in both private and public Universities in Kenya. The research workshop themed ‘The uptake of the online teaching and learning methods in Kenyan Public and Private Universities in response to Covid 19’ was held yesterday 14th June 2021 at the Kakamega Sports Club.
The workshop was graced by the Director , Prof. Peter Bukhala who noted that Online Teaching and Learning is the way to go considering the changing needs and new applications that has to be incorporated due to the variations brought about by the pandemic. “MMUST has stepped up to support this initiative by funding more than 40 researches that focus on Covid 19, I am pleased to inform you that these researches presented outcomes that have played a great role in Online Teaching and Learning,” added Prof. Bukhala.
Prof. Peter Bukhala presenting during the workshop
The Principal Investigator (PI), Dr. Pamela Buhere, a lecturer in the Department of Education Planning Management, highlighted the research overview and background of the project. The other Research team members were Dr. Lucy Mandillah, Dr. Lydia Anyonje, Dr. Christine Wanjala, and Ms. Cynthia Chikamai, a postgraduate student.
According to the main facilitator, Prof. Pamela Ochieng, the Director Quality Assurance/ Open & Distant Learning at Mount Kenya University (MKU), the transformation of Education system; new teaching and learning ecosystem, Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) University of the current and future will certainly be virtual hence the need to prioritize the virtual classroom and adapt quickly. “Learning Management systems should be adaptable, sustainable, accessible and affordable. Let us be guided by these features as we adopt blended learning approaches in our institutions,” stressed Prof. Ochieng.
Dr. Lydia Anyonje presenting during the workshop
Dr. Gordon Nguka, Director at MMUST tackled ‘Challenges and opportunities in online teaching and learning-MMUST experience’ while Director ICT, Mr. Apollo Waliaro, discussed ‘Supporting digital learning through new technologies’. During one of the plenary sessions, Dr. Jairus Odawa pointed out the importance of ensuring the security of Learning Management Systems. Other notable participants who attended the workshop were Ms. Margaret Amudavi from , Mr. Paul Nasokho and Mr. Zadock Maingi both from MMUST.
Digital transformation in Teaching and Learning can no longer be ignored in Higher Education. Undeniably, the global digital revolution is at hand and apparently it's bigger than the industrial revolution with rapid changes being experienced across the board. The research was conducted in four Universities in Kenya including MMUST, Maseno University, Mount Kenya University and St. Paul’s University.
The research findings indicated that most Public Universities are using Zoom for practical teaching while Private Universities prefer the use of Microsoft Teams. The choice of online platforms was however highly determined by accessibility, institutional policy, familiarity and the type of electronic gadget.
The informative consultative workshop recommended that Universities need more technical preparedness with necessary online educational resources and training programmes for both students and lecturers. In addition, suitable pedagogy and platform for different courses and tasks need to be explored further.
Dr. Gordon Nguka, Director ODEL at MMUST tackled ‘Challenges and opportunities in online teaching and learning-MMUST experience’ while Director ICT, Mr. Apollo Waliaro, discussed ‘Supporting digital learning through new technologies’. During one of the plenary sessions, Dr. Jairus Odawa pointed out the importance of ensuring the security of Learning Management Systems. Other notable participants who attended the workshop were Ms. Margaret Amudavi from St. Paul’s University, Mr. Paul Nasokho and Mr. Zadock Maingi both from MMUST.
Digital transformation in Teaching and Learning can no longer be ignored in Higher Education. Undeniably, the global digital revolution is at hand and apparently it's bigger than the industrial revolution with rapid changes being experienced across the board. The research was conducted in four Universities in Kenya including MMUST, Maseno University, Mount Kenya University and St. Paul’s University.
The research findings indicated that most Public Universities are using Zoom for practical teaching while Private Universities prefer the use of Microsoft Teams. The choice of online platforms was however highly determined by accessibility, institutional policy, familiarity and the type of electronic gadget.
The informative consultative workshop recommended that Universities need more technical preparedness with necessary online educational resources and training programmes for both students and lecturers. In addition, suitable pedagogy and platform for different courses and tasks need to be explored further.
Dr. Gordon Nguka, Director ODEL at MMUST tackled ‘Challenges and opportunities in online teaching and learning-MMUST experience’ while Director ICT, Mr. Apollo Waliaro, discussed ‘Supporting digital learning through new technologies’. During one of the plenary sessions, Dr. Jairus Odawa pointed out the importance of ensuring the security of Learning Management Systems. Other notable participants who attended the workshop were Ms. Margaret Amudavi from St. Paul’s University, Mr. Paul Nasokho and Mr. Zadock Maingi both from MMUST.
Digital transformation in Teaching and Learning can no longer be ignored in Higher Education. Undeniably, the global digital revolution is at hand and apparently it's bigger than the industrial revolution with rapid changes being experienced across the board. The research was conducted in four Universities in Kenya including MMUST, Maseno University, Mount Kenya University and St. Paul’s University.
The research findings indicated that most Public Universities are using Zoom for practical teaching while Private Universities prefer the use of Microsoft Teams. The choice of online platforms was however highly determined by accessibility, institutional policy, familiarity and the type of electronic gadget.
The informative consultative workshop recommended that Universities need more technical preparedness with necessary online educational resources and training programmes for both students and lecturers. In addition, suitable pedagogy and platform for different courses and tasks need to be explored further.
