Seventy-two members of faculty from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and affiliate institutions of KNUST have completed a two-week in-person courses as part of a training programme in online content development using online pedagogy which would run for six weeks. The training workshop, a collaboration between the Mastercard Foundation e-Learning Initiative and KNUST saw attendance of faculty from KNUST including the Obuasi campus, KNUST Affiliate Universities, Colleges of Education and Ministry of Health Training Institutions.
The second Masterclass and Content Creation Workshop for faculty saw a blended tuition of online and in-person, including a two-week residential training fully sponsored by the Mastercard Foundation, through the Mastercard e-learning initiative Project at KNUST. The participants also toured the KNUST ultra-modern e-learning studios and interacted with staff. The training is being delivered by the KNUST e-Learning Centre and e-Learning Champions trained on the project.
The training focused on equipping faculty with the essential skills and knowledge needed to continuously enhance the learning experience for students and deliver learning outcomes effectively using a blended learning approach. In addition, the training sought to ensure that instructors or faculty have the requisite digital skills, tools, and knowledge to design and develop effective online content that reaches diverse learners.
In his closing remarks, the Former Vice-Chancellor of KNUST and Executive Advisory Board Chairman of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at KNUST, Professor William Otoo Ellis, congratulated participants for a successful completion of the hands-on aspect of the training. He was confident that the participants, having undergone blended world-class training in online pedagogy, are poised to make great impact in their respective institutions. Professor Otoo Ellis continued that KNUST’s faculty and students can compete anywhere in the world. For that matter, staff of the KNUST Affiliate Institutions have built capacity to be able to further implement what they have acquired and to train other faculty members. The Former Vice-Chancellor encouraged faculty members from participating institutions not to relax when they go back. He said though their institutions may not have adequate infrastructure and logistics to support its full implementation, they can start on a humble note and progress. He further pledged KNUST’s support to them even after the scheduled training.
During his presentation, the Director of the KNUST E-learning Centre, Professor Eric Apau Asante, disclosed that the participants had completed the in-person/hands-on segments of the training programme. He further announced that the module development phase would continue online over the next four weeks. He highlighted that this period would culminate in a collective, in-person reunion during the seventh week. During this reunion, participants would showcase and celebrate their collaborative efforts through an exhibition of the e-resources and modules they meticulously developed. Certificates and awards will be presented during such event.
The Director of KNUST E-learning Centre also extended a commendation to the facilitators on behalf of the project team, acknowledging their instrumental roles in guiding and supporting the participants throughout the programme. He expressed gratitude for their expertise and dedication, underscoring the facilitators' significant contribution to the success of the training initiative.
Principals of the participating Colleges of Education and Ministry of Health Training Institutions, as well as representatives of the presidents and rectors of the Affiliate Institutions who attended the training, expressed their appreciation as well as their experiences.
Also Participants from the third and fourth cohorts of the training programme shared their experiences with the University Relations Office (URO).
The Director of the College of Health and Well-being, Kintampo, Dr. Kwabena Opoku Adusei, commended KNUST through its Mastercard Foundation e-Learning initiative and the KNUST E-learning Centre. Dr. Opoku Adusei thanked the facilitators for a great learning experience. He stated that the training would help them improve their teaching and learning.
Dr. Samuel Inkoom of the Department of Anatomy of the School of Medicine and Dentistry, KNUST was grateful to the organisers of the training programme. He said before the training he had been introduced to the e-class, but his understanding and usage was different. According to him, he has currently learnt how to make the e-class and presentations or content interactive for his students. Through the training he had learnt to always be online to interact with and support his students. Thanks to the training, Dr. Inkoom can now do breakout sessions, meet timelines, use the online teaching approach, and effectively handle and assign students irrespective of the number of students online. Dr. Inkoom recommended the training to all faculty members of the University.
Representing the St. Joseph College of Education, Mr. Odei Adolf, thanked the organisers most especially the Mastercard e-Learning initiative and the KNUST E-learning Centre for exposing them to new knowledge. He said previously his outfit only used to zoom, record and posting of content for students. Having undergone the training, he has learnt to change his approach to teaching upon the completion of the training. Mr. Odei has learnt through the topics, presentations, and practical sessions especially by visiting and participating in the KNUST e-class. He expressed his appreciation to KNUST and all other collaborators on this training, especially the facilitators.
In a related development, the Principal Investigator and Lead for the Mastercard Foundation e-Learning Initiative at KNUST, Mr. Courage Julius Logah, welcomed the Country Director for Ghana for the Mastercard Foundation, Ms. Rica Rwigamba. Ms. Rwigamba was accompanied by the Head of Scholars Program Partner Network, Diane Kouame; Partner, Scholars Program Communications, Mimi Koranteng; and Program Partner, Scholars, Program, Yewande Apatira; who were in attendance to observe the progress of the training.