Workshop on Innovations in Teaching and Learning

Strengthening the delivery of post-graduate Education in African Universities

Hosted by AquaFish ACE LUANAR & AAU

19-23 November 2018, Lilongwe, Malawi

NEW DATES: 4-8 FEBRUARY 2019

Registration Link: https://www.research.net/r/AquaFish

Background

Teaching if done properly results in “quality” academic outputs, that is, the graduates and research. The indicators of quality graduates include ability to conduct research, possessing critical thinking skills, ability to facilitate multi-stakeholder engagements, having entrepreneurial skills, ability to make presentations, exhibiting good written and verbal communication skills, having confidence, displaying life-long learning skills and having the ability to synthesize key information, among several other indicators. African Higher Education institutions continue to be challenged to produce graduates that can solve problems and contribute to the development of their countries. This therefore implies that universities must review how they teach and reflect on how their students learn effectively.

Examples of Innovative teaching and learning methods

Confucius, a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher is quoted as having said “I hear and I forget. I see and I believe. I do and I understand”. This statement links very well with the concept of being innovative in teaching. Clearly innovative methods of teaching and learning require a total mindset change in terms of the roles of the professors and the learners. The innovative methods also allow the learning to be two-way. These new ways facilitate practical exposure for students, experiential learning and role-based learning. The new learning solutions and methods thus become student centered with the objective of producing that “quality graduate”. Some examples of innovative teaching and learning methods include:

1. Flipped Classroom
2. Role-based learning
3. Internships in relevant industries and corporate organizations
4. Problem Solving linked to real Community Engagements
5. Twinning programs to promote cross-learning
6. Regional seminars to facilitate sharing of expertise
7. Case based learning for fields such as medicine and health
8. Problem based learning
9. Group work assignments
10. Field Visits
11. Technology-assisted learning (mobile, learning management systems, multimedia technologies, etc)

Excellence in Education and Research Capacity and Development Impact

The Disbursement Linked Indicator 2 (DLI 2) under the Africa Centers of Excellence project places emphasis on “excellence in education and research capacity and development impact”. The sub-indicators further expound on “improved teaching and learning environment as per approved proposal”.  The DLI document states that the “implementation plan for each ACE will clearly describe 4 annual main milestones for improving of teaching and learning environment based upon the specific activities to be undertaken by the ACE”. Besides `the creation of conducive physical learning environments through constructing classrooms and equipping of laboratories it is important for the ACEs to articulate how else they are strengthening their teaching delivery methods so that they produce quality graduates.

About the proposed workshop

The Association of African Universities and AquaFish ACE hosted by Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources will deliver a five-day workshop on ‘Innovations in Teaching and Learning’ to spark discussions and understanding how AquaFish ACE is implementing innovative teaching methods and what else they could be doing to improve in this area. The key objectives of the workshop will be to:

1. Discuss key concepts and case studies on innovative teaching and learning methods
2. Deliberate on the challenges and opportunities associated with supervising graduate students
3. Exploring the use of technology to improve teaching delivery methods in African Universities
4. Participate in learning visits to institutions in Lilongwe that have begun implementing innovative methods of teaching and learning

Draft Program

DAY	PROPOSED ACTIVITIES
DAY 1	A broad presentation that lays the ground on key concepts around innovative teaching and learning methods and practices Hold a brainstorming session in small groups: to discuss why teaching methods need to be reviewed and what to change? This is meant to help in identifying major deficiencies in current higher education delivery by African Universities. This will also discuss the question of “are students graduating from the African Universities adequately trained to respond to the needs of the society?” to discuss the ‘How’ question and share ideas – and suggest proposals to correct the identified deficiencies. Role play the practical implementation of Experiential Learning
DAY 2	Challenges and Opportunities associated with Supervising Graduate Students in African Universities – (what is quality supervision, students’ expectations, supervisor expectations) Importance of the student-supervisor relationship and the various factors that influence it. Strategies to overcome the challenges of a range of supervisory contexts Developing resources for effective research supervision practices
DAY 3	A presentation on how selected universities in Africa are exploring with technology to improve their teaching delivery methods – e.g. mobile learning, use of learning management systems, etc Foundational Theories: Review of Relevant Concepts Principles of E-learning Course Design & Development Experiential Learning Visit to an institution in Lilongwe that has done well in implementing e-learning
DAY 4	Hands On Sessions : Course / Learning Management Systems
DAY 5	Experiential Learning Visit to an institution in Lilongwe that has done well in implementing e-learning

How To Register

Registration Link: https://www.research.net/r/AquaFish

What are the deadlines?
• Early round registration deadline: 31 December, 2018
• Regular registration deadline: 21 January, 2019
• Late registration: Dependent on space

Workshop Fees– include Workshop Tuition, Workshop Materials, Refreshments and Certificates

1. USD 500 for staff from AAU Member Institutions
2. USD 600 for staff from non-AAU Member Institutions
3. Participants from Malawi must consult the AquaFish ACE for details on their participation Fees (Email: jkangombe@luanar.ac.mw)

Contact Details

Association of African Universities: Miss Edith LAARI: elaari@aau.org

AquaFish ACE: Professor Jeremiah KANG’OMBE:  jkangombe@luanar.ac.mw

Download the Workshop flyer: AquaFish-Continental Flyer