Varsity dons urged to embrace ICT

Over 100 lecturers from institutions of higher learning across the country have agreed to integrate ICT in teaching, learning and assessment of their students. They made the resolution at the closure of a two-day workshop in Rwamagana yesterday. The workshop attracted ICT experts from Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. Dr Abdullah Baguma, the Deputy Director in charge of Academic Quality at Higher Education Council (Hec), said the workshop aimed at integrating university pedagogy into web-based teaching. “Lecturers will learn to use ICT in the teaching and assessment of students. We are interested in seeing teachers display their pedagogical skills and the impact of these skills on learners,” he said. He, however, added that the teachers needed computer literacy and technical skills to effectively utilise ICT in educational settings. “We have enough computers and other gadgets like mobile phones that can allow full access to ICT. Our challenge remains the requisite skills and attitude. The university lecturers will inevitably undergo training…the attitude is already positive,” he said. Abel Dufitumukiza, Academic Registrar at Protestant Institute of Arts and Social Sciences (PIASS), said it was high time university lecturers embraced ICT. Dufitumukiza said the lecturers will start using online social networking for teaching and learning. “Web-based learning can make learning content much more available to students, who can download course notes and readings with a single click,” said the don. “Despite the high technological development in our country, university lecturers continue to use traditional ways in teaching and assessment. We can start using facebook, twitter, to increase our interaction with students.” The workshop also explored ways how lecturers can engage their students using the new media. Prof. Daniel C. Rotich, and ICT expert at Moi University in Kenya, said the training was part of integration process of the higher education in the East African Community. “Use of ICT reduces costs in materials, and class in institutions and produces grduates that can ably compete on the job market. In the education sector, Kenya is advanced in use of ICT, Open-learning, E-school at University of Kenyata, etc. It is this vast experience we are sharing with our Rwandan counterparts,” he said.

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Varsity dons urged to embrace ICT