The Status of E-Learning and Educational Technology in Makerere University

1. The Status of E-Learning and Educational Technology in Makerere University By Tito O. OKUMU E-Learning Manager

2. Presentation Focus • Institutional Policy • History of e-Learning at Makerere • The Current Status of e-learning • Prospects at the Future Saturday, 16 August 2014

3. Institutional Policy The University Strategic Framework 2007/08 -2017/18 Art 3.2.5 outlines the ICT framework in Makerere. The objectives are: • Harness ICT’s to improve teaching, learning, research & outreach. • Increase access to ICT facilities in the University • Improve the capacity of staff and students in ICT use • Develop an ICT sustainable strategy for the University • Provide faster access to internet services • Harness ICT to improve administration and management and finally • Harness ICT to improve marketing and public relations. Saturday, 16 August 2014

4. Elearning Project • Makerere University ICT Policy • E-Learning policy is embedded in the Master ICT Policy • Goal 1: To improve the quality of graduates, by utilizing modern instructional materials and methods, including increased use of ICT in teaching and research. • Goal 2: To provide greater access to university education, by developing capacity for increased enrolment through non-conventional approaches in teaching and learning i.e. Distance education and virtual university

5. Elearning Plans • Leverage faculty/unit effectiveness by using ICT in instruction, learning and Research. • Create organizational and technical conditions assuring continuous in-house e-learning training capabilities in the long-term. • Ensure and require that all students and academic staff are trained on a continuous basis

6. Elearning Plans Cont’d • Develop university wide and global e-learning networks based on academic interests groups and research collaborations. • Establish the appropriate common DLE infrastructure and software responsive to academic needs through the designated central technological unit.

7. Makerere University Statistics • It has been in existence for over 86 years • It has 22 faculties/schools/institutes + constituent and affiliate colleges • A student population of 30,000 undergraduate & about 3,000 graduate students. • Conducts a Dual-mode delivery of content. • It has 81 degree programmes, 42 of which are in sciences. • Approximately 1,161 faculty teaching staff

8. History of E Learning @ Makerere • 1997 – (AVU) pilot project. • Introduced satellite content delivery, • Use of webnars, Interwise Communication software, CD ROMS, Tapes etc • Introduced WebCT • Digital library

9. 2002 Co-curriculum Development Project • With Makerere University, University of Dar-Salaam and Tuft University in USA • Collaboration with Political Science Departments of the three Universities. • Department of Gender and Women Studies was incorporated in this project especially the E-Learning aspect. • Introduced Blackboard LMS at Makerere in 2002

10. Partnership with Tuft University In Sciences, targeted the Makerere University School of Public Health. • Introduced Tuft Universities Knowledge Base (TUSK), LMS • It is used extensively at the College of Health Sciences Saturday, 16 August 2014

11. Partnership with University of Western Cape SA Knowledge Environment for Web-based Learning (KEWL) http://nextgen.mak.ac.ug KEWL is registered as open source under GPL and therefore carries no licensing costs. Saturday, 16 August 2014

12. Other e-Resources • HURIS – Human Resources Information • ARIS – Academic Records Information System • FINIS – Finance Information System • MakLIBIS - Library Information System, http://http://mulib.mak.ac.ug/col-link/e-resources.html • Research Repository • RMACS

13. Possible Open Educational Resources http://www.wikieducator.org/ http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/ http://ocw.mit.edu http://www.oercommons.org/

14. Other e-Collaboration • Millennium Science Initiative (MSI) • African Virtual \University (AVU), http://www.avu.org • Tuft University, http://tusk.musph.ac.ug • Teacher Education for Sub-Saharan Africa (TESSA) project – http://www.tessafrica.net • Strengthening Agricultural & Environmental Capacity Through Distance Education (SAEC-DE) – Mak, UON, Univ of Florida, CIAT with USAID Funding • EDULINK and other e-learning projects in the Faculty of Agriculture • RENU • NUFFIC • Association of African Universities and • South African Institute of Distance Education http://www.saide.org.za

15. Infrastructural Support • Connectivity • Makerere total internet bandwidth is 25 mbps • Access points, 7,838 • Computers/laptops 5,191 • Students; Kiosks 12 (multimedia labs ) • A university-wide fibre optic cable network • Introduction of iLabs in collaboration with MIT. • Wireless networks in 2 Halls of residences (Dag & Africa) Saturday, 16 August 2014

16. Contribution from Development Partners • Carnegie, • FORD Foundation, • NORAD, • Rockfeller • UTL and • SIDA Saturday, 16 August 2014

17. Source: DICTS Makerere University, Oct 2008 Saturday, 16 August 2014

19. Source: DICTS Makerere University, Oct 2008 Saturday, 16 August 2014

20. Computer Connectivity @ Makerere University Saturday, 16 August 2014

21. Human Interface Leadership Lecturers Students Supporting Staff Saturday, 16 August 2014

22. Leadership • Council Committee on E-Learning in form of a Management Unit- University wide • E-Research Group at Faculty of Computer and Information Technology • E-Learning Faculty Committees at Faculty level • ELearning Coordinators at Faculties and Departments in the University • E-Learning Unit at IACE Saturday, 16 August 2014

23. Lecturers • Some staff have been trained on online facilitation using Blackboard, TUSK and KEWL LMS • Under NUFFIC e-Learning Project, 20 trained in Europe and others trained locally; training has also been undertaken for FCIT, WGS, FEMA and others under Carnegie funding. • Staff graduating recently from abroad have had exposure on a variety of LMS • Several staff pursuing graduate studies are researching in e- and m- learning. Saturday, 16 August 2014

24. Lectures cont’d There is training being offered by CIT for all staff who are interested. Individual Units of the University have trained staff Computer access has been provided by the Ministry of ICT for those interested. Staff have some access to computers Saturday, 16 August 2014

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26. Students Constructive approach to include students Training of students in basic computer skills Makerere University approved an introductory level computing course for all University students. Students belong to the age bracket which is keen in IT. Fliers have been distributed to all students for enrolment on the blackboard platform Saturday, 16 August 2014

27. Support Staff Invitation for training was made to all staff. Administrative support to improve communication between education providers and students. ARIS, FINIS MakLIB and HURIS are operational Most can access the intranet and have Makerere email address. Saturday, 16 August 2014

28. Materials online Learning Management Systems Information Presentation Collaboration Communication E-Portfolios Weblogs WiKis Communities From Distribution… Transmissive Learning Expansive Learning …to Collaboration

29. Critical Areas to be addressed • Ratio of Computers to Users • High cost of Connectivity • Low Computer literacy rate at the University among staff and students • Power Outages • Incentive mechanisms that encourages staff embrace educational technology • Increasing demand for end-user access infrastructure

30. Critical Areas cont’d • Elearning Critical Mass to champion implementation at Makerere University. • Identify Specific Deliverables • Proprietary software access • Quality assurance • Gender mainstreaming

31. Thank You for Your attention