PIC: Ulemu Chimimba receiving a Certificate of Attendance from the Vice Principal Dr Nancy ChiteraUniversity of Malawi, The Polytechnic has indulged in an initiative to introduce online learning, as one way of ensuring continuation of studies following the Corona Virus pandemic known as; Emergency Remote Teaching and Learning (ERT&L).
The process to implement ERT&L commenced with the consultation of key stake holders on how best the College could resume studies in the face of the dangers associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.
The College is conducting a number of workshops which aims at training members of staff on utilizing online learning through the use of the online platforms; Moodle and the Big Blue Button.
Speaking during the Master Trainer Workshop which took place from September 11-12 2020 at the School of Engineering Lecture Theatre, The Principal Professor Grant Kululanga emphasized that the College through the ERT&L Taskforce organized this as a temporary shift of instructional delivery to an alternate delivery mode due to crisis or emergency circumstances.
“This program will be implemented at the commencement of the next academic year when the face to face mode of learning is still a challenge due to Covid-19,” he said.
Professor Kululanga added that the Moodle tool will be used to reach out to students as long as they have internet accessible gadgets like smartphones and computers where they will be able to acquire learning materials, assignments and progress with their work.
Different presentations were made on various topics like Navigating E-Learning platform (Moodle and Big Blue Button), Developing Online Content; Resource and Interaction tools, Chats and Forums by Dr Patrick Chikumba, Goodall Nyirenda, Alima Jika and many other Information Technology experts.
Polytechnic has also introduced Open Distance Learning (ODL) programs which Lecturers and students could benefit from these online remote teaching and learning platforms that have been implemented.
At the end of the workshop, participants were presented with Certificates of Attendance.
Each faculty will conduct these workshops to its members of staff in different sessions.