KNUST Launches E-Learning Week Celebration
On Monday, July 24, 2023, KNUST kicked off the second edition of its highly anticipated E-Learning Week Celebrations, spearheaded by the E-Learning Centre. The grand launch ceremony took place at the Great Hall, setting the stage for a week of exciting activities centered around the theme: "Education Without Borders". This year's focus was on exposing the University community to a wide array of Learning Resources that support teaching and learning in the digital age.
In her welcome and launch address, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson, celebrated the remarkable milestones achieved by the university in e-learning. She emphasized that the quest to create an education without borders demands continuous adaptation, innovation, and the embrace of new technologies and pedagogies. Prof. Dickson highlighted the importance of ensuring that this new frontier is accessible to all, inclusive, of the highest quality, and sustainable. She expressed her heartfelt appreciation to the faculty members, staff, and students for their unwavering dedication and enthusiasm for embracing e-learning. Their commitment to providing a transformative educational experience sets KNUST apart as a leading institution of higher learning.
The Keynote presentation was delivered by the University librarian, Dr. Samuel Nikoi, who spoke passionately on the topic: "Coloring Outside the Lines: Envisioning the Future of Open Education and E-Learning in KNUST". Dr. Nikoi stressed the need to make education more learner-centered, urging educators to create dynamic and interactive learning environments that cater to individual needs and interests. In his address, Dr. Nikoi spoke on the role of the library in providing equitable access to digital learning resources, making screen literacy the new vernacular. He called for institutions to adopt resource discovery tools that support users in their search for library resources, institutional repositories, open access content, and subscription based external resources within a single search.
The Director of the KNUST E-Learning Centre, Prof. Eric Appau Asante, addressed the gathering and gave an outline of the week’s activities. Prof. Asante in his iteration mentioned the maiden online learning festival, which consisted of exhibition booths on various learning resources as well as some of the cutting-edge technology employed by the E-Learning Centre in executing its work.
Ms. Anita Ainoo Krakue, a personnel from the E-Learning Centre, delivered a riveting poem titled “Embracing the Digital Odyssey; An Expedition into the World of E-Learning.”
The Vice Chancellor then officially inaugurated the maiden Online Learning Festival, a new addition to this year's festivities. The festival aimed to immerse the university community in various resources that facilitate online learning and teaching. There were exhibitions from the E-Learning Centre, e-Campus , UITS and the University Library Participants were able to explore exhibition booths showcasing cutting-edge educational technologies, platforms, and resources. The gaming booths added an element of excitement and engagement, making the festival a dynamic and interactive experience for all.
After the launch, there was an in-person professional development session for the University Basic School Teachers on Virtual Teaching and Learning Avenues. This workshop was facilitated by Mr. John Ayeyi. Later in the day, in a webinar facilitated by Prof. Zeno W. Wicks III of the University of South Dakota, participants had the opportunity to be taken through an interactive session on the topic: “Building a World-Class Resume for the Job Market”.
The event epitomized KNUST's commitment to pioneering education without borders, embracing technology, and fostering a culture of innovation in teaching and learning. With a week full of inspiring activities ahead, the university community looked forward to celebrating the transformative power of e-learning and its potential to shape the future of education.
Published:23rd September 2023 Source: KNUST E-Learning Centre