Prof. Nelson Turyahabwe
Innovation Coach
Project
Enhancing the Capacity of Faculty and Students on the Bachelor of Agricultural and Rural Innovations (BAX) External Degree Programme for E-Learning at Makerere University
Summary of the Problem
Many students in higher education institutions are increasingly becoming attracted to distance- learning degree programmes partly due to flexibility regarding where and how to complete coursework. The Department of Extension and Innovation Studies (DEIS) started the Bachelor of Agricultural and Rural Innovation (BARI)-External degree programme, a distance education programme, with the intention of serving mid-career professionals who were unable to attend Makerere University full time. Currently, about 99% of the study materials provided for distance-learners still remains in print-based form with minimal use of online platforms and social media. To develop a distance programme, flexibility in both teaching and learning must be enhanced, but this has been impeded due to challenges related to operationalisation of the Open Distance and e-learning (ODeL) policy framework. In addition, the drastic shift in teaching and learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic has also presented issues for streamlining the ODeL. In particular, staff participating in the delivering the course/programme have not been trained in ODeL pedagogy and andragogy. In addition, both academic staff and the students have not been fully oriented on how to access and use online teaching and learning materials. Both outcomes are unfortunate, as ODel is perceived to be an interactive tool to enhance learning when students are away from campus.
Description of the Innovation
The innovation intends to improve the quality and flexibility of teaching and learning for students in undertaking Agricultural Courses in Uganda on distance mode. The innovation also ensures students graduate with the required practical skills and knowledge demanded by the labour market and the wider economy. The DEIS intends to do this by developing online learning materials to support remote learning as well as increasing the skills and confidence of instructors who are being asked to teach online or hybrid-courses for the first time. The curriculum and training seeks to improve students’ learning experience and increase their job prospects; develop a stronger level of engagement and interaction between the academic staff and remote learners; and improve flexibility in teaching and learning, specifically amidst COVID-19 disruptions.
Excitingly, not only will students benefit from an enhanced learning experience, but instructors will be capacitated with the knowledge and skills on how to design and develop online teaching and learning materials. The innovative teaching methods and adaptive curricula will enhance the strengths of Makerere educators and their contributions to the country’s need for cutting-edge curricula and adaptive teaching methodologies.
Design Team Members
- Dr. Gabriel Karubanga, Lecturer, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
- Dr. Harriet Nabushawo, Lecturer, College of Education and External Studies
- Rebecca Mukebezi, Assistant Lecturer, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
- Isaiah Mugabirwe, Graduate Student, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Print
Email