The leadership of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) E-Learning Centre has met with its Instructional Design Team to review plans for strengthening digital teaching and learning as the University prepares for 2026.

The meeting, which followed an earlier engagement, focused on how instructional design can better support teaching, student engagement and university-wide learning systems over the next two years. It formed part of ongoing internal planning at the Centre.

The discussions were led by the Director of the KNUST E-Learning Centre, Professor Emmanuel Kofi Akowuah, and the Senior Assistant Registrar, Abigail Dzama Anderson. Participants included the Head of the Instructional Design Team, Professor Nana Ewusi Mensah, instructional designer Dr Linda Amoako-Banning, and instructional design support staff Nana Adwoa Kwabea Baidu and Samuel Selorm Anane Avotri.

The team reviewed current instructional design practices and identified gaps in content development, learning support and student awareness of e-learning systems.

“One of the gaps we have identified is student awareness. Many students do not know how online teaching systems work or the role instructional design plays in their learning,” Professor Akowuah said.

He said the Centre plans to roll out activities to help students better understand how digital tools support lectures, assessments and classroom interaction.

The meeting also explored ways of recognising lecturers who effectively use technology to enhance teaching, as part of efforts to encourage wider adoption of digital methods across colleges.

“When people see what their colleagues are doing, it changes behaviour. It shows that these tools can be used in simple and practical ways,” Professor Akowuah said.

The Instructional Design Team outlined plans to provide lecturers with templates, guidance and training aligned with the University’s teaching standards.

Professor Ewusi Mensah said instructional design remains central to improving learning outcomes. “Our work is about helping lecturers organise content in ways that students can follow and engage with. Technology supports that process, but design comes first,” he said.

Accessibility and inclusion also featured prominently in the discussions, with the Centre exploring how digital systems can better support students with different learning needs.

The E-Learning Centre further acknowledged the need to improve communication about its mandate within the University. Professor Akowuah said the Centre’s work goes beyond managing online examinations.

“We are here to support teaching and learning across the University,” he said.

Both sides agreed to continue working closely as the Centre finalises its 2026 roadmap, with further engagements expected in the coming months as plans move from discussion to implementation.