MAK-CEES Launches the blended-online Instructional Technology Degree program

On 3rd April 2018, the Institute of open distance eLearning held a briefing session for Master of Instructional Design and Technology online students.

On the same event the Director DRGT and Principal CEES launched the Master of Instructional Design and Technology Programme, a blended learning programme. The Master degree in Instructional Design and Technology (MIDT) supported under the NORHED institutional bilateral programme

Prof Buyinza, the Director, Directorate of Research and Postgraduate Studies, congratulated the College Leadership for the visionary decision to promote online pedagogical methods in the University.  He was grateful specifically to Prof Fred Masagazi-Masaazi, Principal CEES; Assoc Prof. Paul Muyinda Birevu Deputy Principal CEES & Project PI; Dr. Alex Okot, Dean School of Distance and Lifelong Learning; Prof Jessica Aguti Programme Coordinator; Mr. Karembe Ahimbisibwe, Chair, Department of Adult and Cpmmunity Education; Dr. Jamiah Mayanja, Ag Chair,  Open Distance and eLearning. He added that with this development, Makerere has officially joined another leagues with the ranks of University of Liverpool; University of Florida, Edinburgh Napier University; West Texas A &M University; the University of Southern Mississippi; Miami University; and Franklin University.

Prof. Buyinza said that the MIDT program is designed to be a flexible, 60-credit hour curriculum that can be completed as an online degree or on campus – whatever best fits your individual schedule and needs. Both online and face-to-face classes are taught by the same professor and have the same requirements, thus quality of instruction will never be questioned.

He also stressed that it is a fact that in our increasingly technology-driven educational landscape it is imperative that Makerere, the premier University mounts this program. It is planned that the graduates will become proficient in the use of technology in the classroom in order to effectively facilitate the teaching/learning process. For the first cohort, 16 students have successfully enrolled for the program, however, it is indisputable fact that we all (academia) must therefore re-tool urgently  to be able to design, deliver and manage learning environments both face-to-face and online.

The Associate Professor of eLearning at CEES, Paul Berivu Muyinda (PhD), the Deputy Principal College of Education and External Studies  thanked and said that he was humbled to have  Prof Buyinza Mukadasi at the launch of the Master of Instructional Design and Technology programme. `He also said that Prof. Buyinza Makadasi support to the development of this programme since 2013 has been remarkable

Assoc Prof.  Paul Berivu Muyinda stressed that the success of this programme will mean a lot to Makerere University in particular and other higher education institutions in Uganda in general.  Also said  that Makerere University is indeed joining the league of premier universities in South Africa, Canada and Malaysia offering similar programmes

He pointed out that the experience gained while developing this blended learning programme has trickled down to other programmes in the University saying that the College of Education and External Studies has worked with mother units to: 1) Onlinise the Bachelor of Commerce (External) programme. This implies that all business related programmes at Makerere University can be offered as blended learning programmes, 2) The Bachelor of Youth Development Work is running as a blended learning programme, 3) Master of Public Health (Distance) is hosted online on MUELE,  4) The proposed Master of Palliative Care (Distance) is already onlinised, 5) Master of Biostatistics and Epidemiology (Distance) is being developed as an online compliant programme

Assoc Professor Paul Muyinda said that CEES is now in the process of onlinising other distance learning programmes.

Meanwhile, the Institute of Open, Distance and e-Learning is now here to work with all other Colleges at Makerere University  to increasingly integrate e-learning within the conventional programmes, develop blended learning programmes and train staff in blended/distance education pedagogy, materials development and student support

 

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