A Rapid Survey on e- learning/web-based Teaching Potential at the College of Agriculture, University of Ghana, Legon SGK Adiku Dept. of Soil Science, University.

A Rapid Survey on e-learning/web-based Teaching

Potential at the College of Agriculture, University of

Ghana, LegonSGK Adiku

Dept. of Soil Science, University of Ghana. Legon

Introduction• College established;

– first as Dept of Agriculture in 1948, elevated to Faculty and later to College in 2004

– Currently 70 Lecturers and Researchers

Issues/Problems• 1. Students enrolment has increased drastically in recent years

– 1979: 100 students, 60 Lecturers– 2011: 1000 students (900 undergraduate+ 100 post

graduate), 80 Lecturers

• 2. Physical space has not expanded significantly.

• 3. Face-to-face teaching only 30% effective

• Explore alternative ways of teaching and learning (e.g. e-learning)

Materials and MethodsMental Map

Plan of Study

• Activity A: Needs Assessment • A1. Identify stakeholders • A2. Develop mind map from cross

section of stakeholders • A3. Develop and test Questionnaire • A4. Interview stakeholders • A5. Analyze questionnaire • Milestone A:

• Activity B: Prepare Budgets and seek funding

• B1. Identify and determine hardware & software cost elements

• B2. Indentify and determine personnel cost elements

• B3. Develop proposal & seek funding • B4. Prepare procurement bids and

tender Milestone B:

• Activity C: Enhance computing capacity• C1. Employ additional Technical Staff & enhance

bandwidth • C2. Purchase hardware, increase lab capacity &

wireless spots • C3. Purchase and install e-based teaching

software • C4. Strengthen Technical support Unit • Milestone C:

• Activity D: Train staff and students in web-based course delivery

• D1. Digitize all lecture notes • D2. Develop training modules for lecturers and

train them • D3. Develop training modules for students and

train them • D4. Run pilot e-based teaching & learning for one

month • D5. Carry out SWOT analysis on the pilot project • D6. Final project report Milestone D:

Materials and Methods

• Structured questionnaires served on:– 60 randomly selected undergraduate students– 20 randomly Post-graduate students– 20 randomly Lecturers/Researchers

– Questionnaires analyzed using Excel

– Summary statistics, figures, etc.

Modes of Lecture delivery (a) students’ response and (b) Lecturers’ response

2

60

38

Dictation

Lecture notes

PowerPoint

Modes of Lecture delivery: Lecturers’ responses

DICTATE

LECTURE + Handout

POWER POINT

OTHER

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

5.5

56.3

38.1

0

TEACHING MODE

Proficiency in computer literacy (a); students (b) Lecturers

50.631.5

6.8 1.09

MS WORDMS EXCELMS ACCESSOTHER

MSWORD

DATA PROCESSING

DATA BASE

PROJECT PLANNING

0 25 50 75 100

45

36.3

18.1

9

45

54.5

27.2

27.2

10

9

45.4

36.3

9

27.2

EXCELLENTVERY GOODGOODFAIR

Students’ access to Computer laboratory

Yes No0

20

40

60

80

100

Download knowledge by students

YES NO0

102030405060708090

100

Support for laptop ownership scheme by students

92.8

7.14

YESNO

Previous participation in on-line and e-learning by Lecturers

Yes No0

20

40

60

80

100

What are the Challenges to migration to e-learning: students’ view

Training

Availability of Internet

Access point

Policy

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

61.1

66.6

58.8

35.3

27.7

33.3

32.4

20.6

11.1

0

8.8

44.1

Very ImportantImportantNot Important

What are the Challenges to migration e-learning: Lecturers’ viewpoint

BANDWIDTH

INTERNET SPEED

TRAINING

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

SECURITY SYSTEM

0 25 50 75 100

50

20

50

20

20

10

40

10

20

10

20

30

20

20

30

0

10

20

40

10

20

30

Most Necessary

Very Necessary

Necessary

Somewhat Necessary

Not Necessary

Are Lecturers ready to migrate to e-learning course delivery?

40

20

40

READYPARTLY READYNOT READYNOT AT ALL

Conclusion• Lecturers and students in the College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences are

willing to welcome the e-learning/web-based learning and teaching.

• However, there are a number of challenges that must be overcome for a successful introduction of e-learning/web-based teaching into the College of Agriculture. These include:

– Need for improved computer infrastructure/hardware accessibility– – Need for a scheme to support computer ownership by students and Lecturers

– Need for expansion of wireless internet access

– Need for education and training in e-learning and web-based teaching and learning

– Policy framework, prevention of copyright breaches.

Conclusion cont’d

• Need to cost and seek funding to support migration to e-learning,

• Need for a pilot project to study the introduction of e-learning/web-based teaching.

THANK YOU