Compiled by Endashaw abebe
Kenyatta University launches Digitize Learning
Written by Erick Akasa
Monday, 30 June 2014 15:19
Kenyatta
University (KU) has launched its new Digital School in a move set to
address the increased demand for improved higher education e-Learning
programs in Kenya.
According
to Prof Olive Mugenda Kenyatta University’s Vice Chancellor the launch
of KU Digital School demonstrates the University’s understanding of the
unique benefits and advantages of digital technology in the education
sector. At a time when change is faster than ever, a key advantage of
e-Learning - the use of technology to deliver training anytime, anyplace
- is that it has faster delivery cycle times than traditional
classroom-based instruction.
“Today
we live in a technologically-rich nation country where more than ever
before, most of us, especially the younger generation are spending more
time online, and in more advanced and creative ways,” said Prof Mugenda
during the unveiling of the program in Nairobi.
With the motto ‘Education Anywhere, Anytime, At Your Own Schedule and Pace’
students who are unable to take up full-time on-campus programmes, will
benefit from a wide range of quality programmes at Diploma,
Undergraduate and Post-graduate levels through Open and Distance
Learning modes offered at KU Digital School.
According to Dr Fred Matiang’i, Cabinet Secretary Ministry of
Information and Technology, there has been a significant investment in
Information and Communications Technology in the education sector which
has resulted in technologically‐enhanced teaching and learning approaches.
“KU
Digital School will not only allow for a seamless integrated approach
to accessing and sharing information but also empower students as they
will be able to access quality education anywhere and anytime,” said Dr.
Matiang’i.
All
newly enrolled students at KU Digital School will be provided with a
free Tablet uploaded with registered units. Programmes will run on a
trimester cycle, which means that students enrolled for the
undergraduate programmes will complete their studies within 3 calendar
years.
KU
Digital School programmes will also combine digital instruction, with
live tutorials in the Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Garissa, Kisumu,
Kakamega, Embu, Nyeri and Marsabit regional centres. The use of smart
phone tablets means that students can learn anytime anywhere without
real-time internet access, proactively interact through offline and
online forums and messages, as well as self evaluate and compare
themselves with their peers.
Dr.
Matiang’i, however urged lecturers, researchers and professors to
ensure there is enough content on the platform for the students.
“Most
students in higher education institutions in Kenya use content from out
than content from Kenya since there is no enough content in the
country,” pointed out Dr. Matiang’i. “We should see more and more
material generated by our professors and lecturers for our local
learners,” added Dr. Matiang’i.
Rapid
advances in ICT devices such as the smart phone used at KU Digital
School and the widespread adoption of ICT in Africa means that they are
increasingly able to support competency and performance‐based curricula as well as student-based learning.
“Our e‐Learning
programs have the potential to deliver improved services and tools
coupled with quality professional support. Our costs are affordable,
teachers and students can interact through offline and online forums,
thus catering for students’ learning needs,” added Ms Mugenda.
According
to a report by US-based international research company Ambient Insight,
the sharp rise in academic digitisation programmes, enrolment in online
higher education and self-paced e-Learning, has seen Africa become the
most dynamic e-Learning market in the world.
KU
Digital School will engage learners in programs in which they have
control over the pace and direction of their learning. The paradigm
shift brought about by KU Digital School will mean the teacher is no
longer the ‘deliverer’ of knowledge, as the new e-Learning environment
will focus on the learner as the information seeker.
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