The JCPC Department Initiatives Intervention aims to build eLearning communities at the University of Jos through a fellowship program and by supporting departmental initiatives. The fellowship program provides modules for participants to master online pedagogy and share their knowledge. It encourages collaborative teaching and active, application-based learning. Supported departmental initiatives also focus on using technology to address discipline-specific challenges and encourage collaboration between faculty members on experimental learning projects. Both programs ultimately seek to empower university departments and units to improve teaching, learning, and research through the use of information and communication technologies.

1. JCPC Department Initiatives Intervention Building eLearning Communities at the University of Jos

2. Donna Oti, PhD Consultant

3. Overview DII background Goals and objective The ICT environment which necessitated them The eLearning Fellowship The concept Roles and responsibilities The Departmental Initiatives learning model significance

4. DII Background Goal: To support and empower departments, faculties, and units to use ICT to improve the quality of teaching, learning, research, and administration

5. DII Objectives To stimulate the use of existing ICT facilities for effective teaching and learning To support ICT initiatives at the department and unit level by awarding innovative ideas To empower academic staff to use technology to improve the quality of teaching and learning To encourage female participation in ICT departmental initiatives

6. JCPC eLearning Fellowship What is a Fellowship? A professional or academic community or like-minded individuals collaborating to achieve a common goal or advance the discipline What is your primary role as a Fellow? To boldly go where no woman has gone before To master the online pedagogy literature To solve pedagogical challenges facing Unijos To share your knowledge with wider academic communities

7. eLearning Fellowship Curriculum Module 1: Building the Foundation for Successful eLearning Initiatives Module 2: Enriching Teaching and Learning Through the Use of Technology Module 3: Pedagogical Challenges for the Jos Context Module 4: Discipline Specific Pedagogical Issues

8. JCPC eLearning Fellowship

9. eLearning Fellowship Example Web Initiative in Teaching Fellow, 2001-2002 Created course web site for journalism Advised student newspapers for three universities Created online newspapers for two universities Trained individual to teach online at the University of Maryland University College Consultant for educational software for test administration and course management

10. Departmental Initiatives To support ICT initiatives at the department and unit level by awarding innovative ideas To encourage active learning, to support collaboration, and emphasize application and relevance

11. DI Learning Model Active teaching and learning Collaborative teaching and learning Emphasis on application and relevance

12. Active Learning The assumption that the learner’s active involvement in the learning process is essential to good practice. Instructors serve not only as lecturers but also as facilitators of learning who manage the learning process by engaging learners in a variety of activities (lectures being but one) that lead students to an understanding of course content and the development of academic and professional competence.

13. Collaborative Learning Structures that encourage and facilitate collaboration are central to the Teaching and Learning Model. Students find benefit in instructional practices that encourage collaboration. This adds a robust “horizontal” dimension to the learning exchange as students teach and learn from one another.

14. Application and Relevance There is wide agreement in the literature that the best learning occurs when bridges are built between new knowledge and the learner’s experience—it makes learning relevant to the learners.

15. Significance and Similarities eLearning fellowship Engage students by teaching with technology Team course development encourages intra and inter-group collaboration Emphasis on a number of technology solutions for enabling students to apply knowledge and learn in context: games, simulation, case studies… Departmental initiative Using technologies to address discipline-specific challenges Departmental initiatives support varied perspectives on teaching and learning challenges Opportunities for lecturers to collaborating on experimental learning projects

16. Summary The fellowship and Departmental Initiatives help support the common goal of empowering departments, faculties, and units to use ICT to improve the quality of teaching, learning, and research.

17. Conclusion – what now? It’s all about you Your role Your leadership style Your responsibility It’s time to set goals Learning Sharing Commitment is Key Ask questions Finish the race

18. References Engaging the Online Learner: Activities and Resources for Creative Instruction (Online Teaching and Learning Series (OTL)) by Rita-Marie Conrad and J. Ana Donaldson (2004) Exploring the Digital Library: A Guide for Online Teaching and Learning (Online Teaching and Learning Series (OTL)) by Kay Johnson and Elaine Magusin(2005) Faculty Development Companion Workbook Module 9:: Teaching Online by Amy Solomon and Quantum Integrations (2006) Teaching Online: A Practical Guide, 2d Edition by Susan Ko and Steven Rossen, (2004) The Tools for Successful Online Teaching by Lisa Dawley(2007)