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| Photo: Moses Talemwa |
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| Education Minister Jessica Alupo inspecting pupils in a computer lab at Nakasero PS. Initiatives at e-learning remain a challenge in the sector. |
For years now,
computer scientists have repeatedly stressed that the technology to
improve learning exists in all forms. From computer sets to improved
software to online forms of communication, the technology has evolved to
improve how learners are taught their information.
Last month, the district education officer in Wakiso, Frederick Kinobe Kiyingi, issued a directive calling for the banning of mobile phones in schools. However, the directive has irritated several experts in e-learning.
Kiyingi specifically warned teachers, who spend much of the official teaching hours on WhatsApp as well as surfing the internet, that they run the risk of being fired from work.
"There is time for everything... . the time for WhatsApp and surfing internet as well as time for teaching pupils," Kinobe advised, as he set up a taskforce to end the vice.
"Government and parents pay teachers to teach their children, not to indulge in WhatsApp and surfing the internet."
However, Kiyingi's view is not necessarily well appreciated among experts on e-learning. One of them, Dr Paul Birevu Muyinda, the dean of the school of Distance and Lifelong Learning at Makerere University believes that Kiyingi has failed to appreciate how smart phones benefits education.
Dr Muyinda, an e-learning expert, argues that Kiyingi's attitude is typical in the civil service, and is behind the challenges in effecting modern teaching methods in schools.
“Most civil servants are comfortable with the traditional system of teaching, mostly using the blackboard, which is why teachers see no need to innovate and make learning easier,” Muyinda said.
“We need policymakers to be convinced that integrating IT resources will improve learning in the long run.”
Last month, the district education officer in Wakiso, Frederick Kinobe Kiyingi, issued a directive calling for the banning of mobile phones in schools. However, the directive has irritated several experts in e-learning.
Kiyingi specifically warned teachers, who spend much of the official teaching hours on WhatsApp as well as surfing the internet, that they run the risk of being fired from work.
"There is time for everything... . the time for WhatsApp and surfing internet as well as time for teaching pupils," Kinobe advised, as he set up a taskforce to end the vice.
"Government and parents pay teachers to teach their children, not to indulge in WhatsApp and surfing the internet."
However, Kiyingi's view is not necessarily well appreciated among experts on e-learning. One of them, Dr Paul Birevu Muyinda, the dean of the school of Distance and Lifelong Learning at Makerere University believes that Kiyingi has failed to appreciate how smart phones benefits education.
Dr Muyinda, an e-learning expert, argues that Kiyingi's attitude is typical in the civil service, and is behind the challenges in effecting modern teaching methods in schools.
“Most civil servants are comfortable with the traditional system of teaching, mostly using the blackboard, which is why teachers see no need to innovate and make learning easier,” Muyinda said.
“We need policymakers to be convinced that integrating IT resources will improve learning in the long run.”
EMERGING TRENDS
Muyinda argues that
most teachers are not IT-savvy, but even those are easily discouraged
from using this knowledge in their teaching.
"Many teachers ask themselves why they should struggle to put up a powerpoint presentation for students if they are not going to be appreciated for it - yet it takes a lot of their time to prepare," he adds.
He believes that this argument also prevents those without the knowledge from seeking it, thinking that if the traditional systems have worked well, there is no need to change.
"These teachers know that they have always gotten away with dictating notes to their students in the same way for a long time; so, there is no need for one to consider e-mailing the notes and reserving vital class time for discussion of the subject matter."
At Kampala International University (KIU), the deputy vice chancellor for Research Innovation and Extension, Dr George Nasinyama, agrees.
"The future of learning in Uganda is not where a teacher stands in front of the blackboard, holds a piece of chalk and dictates to learners what they must know. The future is online," Dr Nasinyama adds.
He cites KIU's experience where changes in learning are already taking shape. The university is installing most of its learning modules (courses) onto an internet portal, to make them accessible to learners and reserve lecture room interactions between students and lecturers for discussion of already-studied material.
"Many teachers ask themselves why they should struggle to put up a powerpoint presentation for students if they are not going to be appreciated for it - yet it takes a lot of their time to prepare," he adds.
He believes that this argument also prevents those without the knowledge from seeking it, thinking that if the traditional systems have worked well, there is no need to change.
"These teachers know that they have always gotten away with dictating notes to their students in the same way for a long time; so, there is no need for one to consider e-mailing the notes and reserving vital class time for discussion of the subject matter."
At Kampala International University (KIU), the deputy vice chancellor for Research Innovation and Extension, Dr George Nasinyama, agrees.
"The future of learning in Uganda is not where a teacher stands in front of the blackboard, holds a piece of chalk and dictates to learners what they must know. The future is online," Dr Nasinyama adds.
He cites KIU's experience where changes in learning are already taking shape. The university is installing most of its learning modules (courses) onto an internet portal, to make them accessible to learners and reserve lecture room interactions between students and lecturers for discussion of already-studied material.
"Students will be
able to log onto our secure internet platform, which will enable them to
access the learning modules [lessons] - some will come with tools such
as videos or reading materials," he added.
Makerere University is also moving into the same direction. Since the beginning of this year, preparatory work is already in high gear to transform Dr Muyinda's department into the Institute of Open, Distance and E-Learning, to manage the migration of all learning at Makerere onto online platforms in three years.
"The university council is using the institute to drive e-learning at Makerere, by initially holding trainings for staff in the various colleges to understand online facilitations in their various areas," he explains.
The institute has been mandated to train 40 staff, with 20 of them already undergoing the one-year diploma in online pedagogy at the institute, under funding from the Norwegian government. The remaining 20 staff will join later this year and this, Dr Muyinda believes, will resolve several other problems.
"For instance, teachers are not being trained on ICT in education, but after this, it will be a foundation course for all students, making it possible for them to put into practice what they have learnt, when they graduate."
Makerere University is also moving into the same direction. Since the beginning of this year, preparatory work is already in high gear to transform Dr Muyinda's department into the Institute of Open, Distance and E-Learning, to manage the migration of all learning at Makerere onto online platforms in three years.
"The university council is using the institute to drive e-learning at Makerere, by initially holding trainings for staff in the various colleges to understand online facilitations in their various areas," he explains.
The institute has been mandated to train 40 staff, with 20 of them already undergoing the one-year diploma in online pedagogy at the institute, under funding from the Norwegian government. The remaining 20 staff will join later this year and this, Dr Muyinda believes, will resolve several other problems.
"For instance, teachers are not being trained on ICT in education, but after this, it will be a foundation course for all students, making it possible for them to put into practice what they have learnt, when they graduate."
Source: The Observer (Kampala)
