Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
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| Very Rev. Prof. Stephen Mbugua, Vice Chancellor Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) |
Prior to the closure of learning institutions by the government of Kenya due to COVID-19 pandemic, the teaching staff of Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) developed online teaching modules in preparedness for any eventuality, the Vice Chancellor Very Rev. Prof. Stephen Mbugua has confirmed that the online teaching was successful.
“After government ordered for indefinite closure of schools, online learning for our students picked up almost immediately since we had requested lecturers to prepare online modules in case of any eventuality. Students learnt for the three weeks that were left to end the semester,” Prof. Mbugua disclosed.
“Since universities were closed abruptly after the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in the country, there was not enough time to train students on the new mode of teaching. The training was done after the closure,” Prof. Mbugua underscored, adding that the training took a short period since most students are internet savvy and had no difficulties using the new mode of teaching.
Besides, “those who had challenges were trained on how to access learning materials online by the office of the director for distant learning.”
The university hosts Kenya Education Network (KENET), a National Research and Education Network of Kenya and is the hub of internet for learning Institutions located in the southern part of Nairobi city.
“Through hosting KENET, the school had the advantage to continue with online learning,” the Vice Chancellor highlighted and added, “CUEA relocated to KENET platform immediately the closure of learning institutions took place and the lecturers managed to finish the semester with the students.”
“KENET platform is very big since it can host all the students in school who are over 6000. It also has the capacity to train students on how to log in, how to download notes and how to upload the quizzes,” said Fr. Mbugua in an interview with AMECEA Online.
Asked if the students had difficulties in adapting to the new mode of teaching the Professor said, “Definitely, students had challenges because this was the first time, we had the entire university teaching online. Normally we do have blended learning for distant learners, and these are just few students who had been trained on this.”
“Besides, we could not have audio-visual learning since that takes a lot of data bundles and the university did not provide for that. So, the lecturers could download the notes and explain, then they had chats with students where they could interact by asking questions,” the Vice Chancellor explained.
“We have students all over the country and in some parts of the country there is poor internet connection, so going audio-visual way with such a challenge would have not benefited all the students,” he added.
Concerning online exams, the university postponed this due to the diversity of students from various parts of the country and plans to have it when schools reopen, though the management still mulls on other possibilities in case the pandemic persists.
“We have not done the exams but we intend to do that face to face when the schools reopen,” he disclosed and explained further, “Online exams are very technical to handle especially in our university where we have students from all parts of the country even where there is no internet connectivity. Since the government directives restricted movement, it would be very difficult for students from such areas to move to places where they can access connectivity.”
“Meanwhile, we are in collaboration with the Senate and the Commission for University Education on the way forward. We may pilot the exams with the post graduate students and analyze how that picks up,” he underscored and continued, “If the situation persists, we may be more creative and see how the students can have their exams online but after piloting to see how it works.”
Speaking about her experience as student concerning the virtual learning, Kilonzo V. Mutio told AMECEA Online, “It was very difficult for me to download notes because of network problems and lack of enough data bundles. Even though I succeeded, it was a challenge but at the same time, not all lecturers sent us the notes.”
“Amidst that, in case the pandemic persists I would wish we continue with online studies to avoid wasting time, but then all lecturers should send notes. Since all students are not able to purchase data bundles, the university should help us so that all students can benefit,” the third-year student pursuing bachelor’s degree in education underscored.
“We tried our best and did some online Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs), though some students could not manage to do the exams,” Hazael Kogei a third-year student pursuing bachelor’s degree in nursing said in an interview.
“Besides that, E-learning has been a challenge to many students. Some students were unable to access the program, a good number of them do not have smartphones or laptops, but the worst of all is the problem of data bundle,” Kogei who is a student leader, the chairperson in the faculty of science told AMECEA Onlinein an interview.
The student applauds virtual learning as a favorable mode of teaching and appeals to the university to be of support especially in providing data bundles.
“I recommend E-learning as the best way to go especially during this period,” he said, “but it will be favorable and even better for students if the school can provide data bundles so that all students even those in upcountry can benefit.