Faculty Retreat on the Utilization of Sakai E-Learning Platform

The School of Public Health (SPH), University of Ghana, has held a 3-day retreat to offer faculty a hands-on training in the use of the Sakai e-learning platform. The retreat was held from January 14-16, 2014 at the Forest Hotel, Dodowa.

In his opening address, the Dean of the School, Prof. Richard Adanu, welcomed faculty and resource persons for responding positively to his invitation to the training at a time they were expected to be marking examination scripts and getting their results ready. He noted that the SPH, in its resolve to utilize the Sakai platform in its teaching and learning, had a similar training in January, 2014 where a team of instructional designers from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health took participants through instructional design and use of ICT in teaching/learning. The team introduced faculty to the Sakai platform which was then at the trial phase.

 

The Dean, Prof. Richard Adanu delivering his opening address

He disclosed, that the objective of the 2015 retreat was to provide faculty with a hands-on training in the use of the Sakai platform and acquaint themselves with its multiple functions. This, the Dean noted, was critical at a time the university is deploying the Sakai on a large scale to enhance teaching and learning. He was hopeful that the School would be able to fully utilize the Sakai platform in the second semester of 2014/2015 academic year.

Speaking on the topic “Advantages and Challenges of on-line teaching and learning” Prof. Yaw Oheneba-Sakyi, one of the resource persons, mentioned that the use of ICT in education and training has become a priority for the University of Ghana over the last couple of years. Prof. Oheneba-Sakyi noted that the advantages include students becoming less dependent on the lecturer, enhancement of meaningful interaction with lecturers and students; as well as counteracting heavy reliance upon lectures, notes and memorization. The challenges on the other hand, included; unstable power supply; social media interference and poor internet connectivity.

 

Prof. Yaw Oheneba-Sakyi giving a lecture in one of the sessions

Prof. Oheneba-Sakyi impressed upon the School to consider rolling out some of its master programmes on distance education as the University has fully equipped its regional learning centres to facilitate teaching and learning. He expressed his appreciation for the readiness of faculty to acquire the skills in using the Sakai. Other resource persons were Mr. Francis Awuye-Kpobi, Mr. Emmanuel Arthur, Mr. Eric Kemeh from UGCS and Mrs. Theodosia Adanu from the Balme Library. Additional topics discussed were: features of Sakai, turnitin plagiarism software, working with tests & quizzes tool; working with lesson tools.

 

Facilitators offering assistance to faculty during one of the practical sessions

In all 27 faculty members from 6 departments of the School participated in the training.
In his closing remarks, the Dean, implored faculty to develop the interest of utilizing the Sakai platform to justify the investment the School has made into the training. He again, thanked all for their commitment to learning these new skills.

 

A group photograph of participants and resource persons at the retreat