ICT Integration in Higher Education: Perspectives and

Way Forward6th International Conference on ICT For Africa 2014; Keynote Address by Professor Venansius

Baryamureeba, Chairperson Makerere University Business School (MUBS) Council; 03/10/14 Yaounde Cameroon

www.utamu.ac.ug/barya; barya@utamu.ac.ug

Overview• What is ICT? • ICT in learning• ICT and research• ICT in publishing and libraries• Learner-centered education• ICT integration in higher education• Way forward

ICTsInformation and Communication Technologies

(ICTs) consist of the hardware, software, networks, and media:– for collection, storage, processing,

transmission and presentation of information (voice, data, text, images) i.e. to generate, distribute, collect and administer information

– for communication

Reflections on Knowledge Economy

The strongest currency today is neither the Pound, Euro, Dollar nor the Shilling but it is

KnowledgeToday we live in a knowledge Society which

has two main categories of people• Knowledgeable People• Knowledge able People

ICTs are enabling the Knowledge Economy

ICT in Learning

• E-learning  is the use of electronic media, educational technology and ICTs in education 

• Old and new technologies need to be used in a balanced way. On-the-air and off-the-air radio/radio-cassette, television and offline video-assisted technologies; more interactive computer/Internet-based virtual education or online distance learning

• Possible for anyone, anywhere, anytime to learn • Opened access to reserved educational capital

Learners taking more control over the direction of their

learning with ICT

Learners taking more control over the direction of their

learning with ICT

Social collaboration on joint tasks both face-to-face and

in online collaboration

Social collaboration on joint tasks both face-to-face and

in online collaboration

Learning out of school in other settings and

environments

Learning out of school in other settings and

environments

Deeper analysis of concepts, processes and

visualisation

Deeper analysis of concepts, processes and

visualisation

Use of ICT to locate, gather, synthesis, analyse

reconstruct, communicate and present information and

understanding

Use of ICT to locate, gather, synthesis, analyse

reconstruct, communicate and present information and

understanding

Creative development and media literacy e.g.

digital video, photography animation,

music

Creative development and media literacy e.g.

digital video, photography animation,

music

Developing thinking skills and problem solving strategies

Developing thinking skills and problem solving strategies

ICT in learningICT in learning

Gaining knowledge, understanding and

skills beyond that of the teacher

Gaining knowledge, understanding and

skills beyond that of the teacher

Iteration and modelling using ICT; eg in writing, design, maths,

science PE and music

Iteration and modelling using ICT; eg in writing, design, maths,

science PE and music

ICT and Research

• Data Processing: Improved due to the steady increases in bandwidth and computing power

• Use of online full text databases and online research libraries/virtual libraries

• Communication links make it possible for research teams to be spread across the world

• The combination of communications and digital libraries is equalizing access to academic resources, greatly enriching research possibilities for all institutions

 

ICT in publishing and Libraries• Electronic publishing is basically a form of

publishing in which books, journals and magazines are being produced and stored electronically rather than in print

• Types of Electronic Publishing Models – Electronic Books; Electronic Periodicals; Electronic

Databases; Print on Demand; Digital Content; Electronic Ink; E-mail Publishing; Web Publishing

• Electronic Publishing Models have led to Digital Libraries– Collections of documents in organized electronic

form that are accessible using electronic devices

Learner Centered Education• ICTs in Education have led to a Learning

Paradigm Shift from Teacher Centered to Learner Centered– The Learner-Centered Education (LCE) focuses on both

teacher’s and learner’s experiences – The focus is on each student’s individual needs– The role of the educator shifts from a transmitter to a

facilitator. No longer is the teacher simply someone who stands at the front of the room imparting knowledge on students

• Students become more engaging and attain autonomy in learning – The student is no longer a passive “receptacle” for the

teacher’s knowledge

Learner Centered Education Cont’d

• Rather than revolving around content, the learner-centered classroom centers on learning processes – The learner-centered classroom provides an emphasis

upon higher-order thinking skills, such as the ability to judge and evaluate, critical thinking, self advocacy

• Reluctant learners are more motivated to participate in their own education, since their stake in the process is clearly defined

• Students demonstrate improvement in motivation, learning, and achievement. – There is a higher rate of student retention, and students

are better prepared for success outside the classroom

Teacher-Student relationship in emerging learning society

Learning Models will need to change

• How do students learn in a digital environment?• How do institutions teach in the digital era?• Are institutions ready for E-Learning?• Do we need new learning models?

Delivery Modes will need to change

Lack of facilities and funding

Increase in tuition fees

Growing student population

Privatization of education

Cost effective solutions(e.g. e-learning, virtual

learning, blended )

More virtual universitiesB

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Life Long LearningOnly Authorized Access

ICT in Education Change Drivers

Knowledgeable Society

Education System

Technology Drivers

Technology Driven

Knowledge Able

Society

Digital MigrantTeachers

Dig

ital

Native

Stu

den

ts

Why do we Integrate ICT in Education?

Why ICTIntegration inEducation?

Allows Effective

Networking

Allows Easy Sharing

Of Resources

Allows Effective

Collaboration

EffectiveAccessibility

To Resources

EmpowermentIn Learning

Ubiquitous Education

Enabling ICT Integration in Education

UTAMU Hybrid Model

Community EngagementCommunity

EngagementTransformational e-

Learning Content Space Transformational e-

Learning Content Space Policy Makers and regulatory bodies Policy Makers and regulatory bodies Collaborative Partners

Collaborative Partners

UTAMU e-Learning Content SpaceUTAMU e-Learning Content Space

Digital Teachers Digital Students Digital Family

UTAMU ContentDatabase

Open AccessDatabase

UTAMUE-Library

UTAMU Social Applications

Integrated LayerIntegrated Layer

Digital Teachers

Digital Students

Digital Family

E-Learning Content Space

Personal Content Database

Personal Content Space

Education is opening up….

E-Libraries

Hybrid Learning @ UTAMU:VL Part

25

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empowerempower

extendextend

embedembed

enhanceenhance enrichenrich

exchangeexchangee-learning?e-learning?

enthuseenthuse

entertainentertain

Hybrid Integration of E-Learning has to:

Way Forward • Digital Technology is an indispensable teaching tool

• Urgent need for professional development of teachers that allows teachers to construct professional knowledge about pedagogy, content, and technology, as well as strategies for managing the changing classroom environments

• The use of ICT in education increases access to learning opportunities. Thus, the integration of ICTs in higher education is inevitable.  

Till we meet again!

I THANK YOU