9 November – 13 November 2015

Towards the middle of November Michael Walimbwa from the Makerere University will convene this seminar on the impact of emerging technologies on distance education and how new technology opens for opportunities for re-thinking traditional distance education. Please notice on Monday 9 November at 1 pm (GMT+2/CAT)  Michael will host an Adobe Connect Online Live session.  As Michael will be in Cape Town we welcome all to also join us physically at the CILT department, Upper Campus, University of Cape Town for this session

Summary:
New forms of teaching and learning with emerging technologies require new spaces and building capacity to effectively operate in the same spaces. Distance Education Leapfrogging Project (DELP) is helping to facilitate emerging models in distance education, like the flipped classroom, by rearranging learning environments to accommodate more active learning. The project is helping in redesign of spaces to facilitate project-based interactions with attention to mobility, flexibility, and multiple device usage. Wireless bandwidth is being upgraded to create “smart rooms” that support web conferencing and other methods of remote, collaborative communication. Large displays and screens are being installed to enable collaboration on digital projects and informal presentations. The change is based on the premise that as distance education continues to move away from traditional lecture-based face-to-face programs to more hands-on scenarios, university classrooms need to start resembling real-world work and social environments that facilitate living interactions and cross disciplinary problem solving.
Traditional classrooms are being transformed to accommodate new pedagogies; instead of the traditional rows of chairs with writing surfaces facing a podium, DELP intends to create a more dynamic classroom layout, with seating arrangements that foster collaboration and teamwork. However this is not coming easy as many challenges stand in the way

This session has ended – resources are available on the seminar landing page

Michael Walimbwa  is a lecturer at Makerere University in Uganda. His main interest are in Computer Assisted Pedagogy at all levels and Technology Enhanced learning. His specialties include Technology Enhanced Learning, Computer Assisted Instruction and Educational Technology. He is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Cape Town, South Africa.