PNGUoT embracing online learning
The Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT) is embracing online learning modules to impart teaching and learning to the students.
Unitech teaching and learning methods unit director Dr Tindi Nuru said coronavirus has brought about an impromptu transition to online teaching for many universities, where Unitech is no exception but to transit to this new normal of teaching delivery.
Dr Nuru said when Prime Minister James Marape and state-of-emergency controller David Manning allowed tertiary institutions to resume classes on April 27, they had to adhere to all preventive measures outlined by the Department of Higher Education, Research ,Science and Technology.
He said Unitech had to face challenges of learning management system, unfamiliar conferencing technologies and new protocols for formative and summative assessments.
Amid these challenges, we were able to complete semester one successfully.
This is because before Covid-19, the university based on its strategic plan 2020-2024 focused on academic excellence. We have already introduced aspects of blended learning and this has made it possible to activate its systems and processes to support emergency remote teaching.
– Dr Tindi Nuru
He said Unitech senior executive management team had greatly supported this teaching and learning initiative by providing all the support needed and embarked on strengthening the university ICT infrastructure.
He said the university SEMT management paid for a site for Camtasia-video production/editing software, endorsed payment for Zoom app for video conferencing as well as usage of Google classroom as one of the main learning management system.
Plans are underway to shift to module learning platform.
We hold weekly training for staff on how to optimise technology enabled learning and we also provide customised personalised training for staff at their request.
At the end of the semester, we run a survey on Transitioning to online Teaching in semester 1, 2020 (with both staff and students) to help consolidate our experiences and put into perspective our opportunities for improvement.
We expect to use the responses to shape how PNGUoT can take remote learning to the next level.
– Dr Nuru.
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