WSU WELCOMES NEW E-LEARNING PLATFORM

Moodle, a Learning Management System (LMS) designed for various teaching and learning goals, is well on its way to being introduced as one of the E-learning programmes used by WSU.

LMS are software applications designed to execute learning, teaching and administrative programmes electronically. In particular, Moodle enables lecturers to create online course content, add assignments, create tests/quizzes and monitoring students’ projects.

Munienge Mbodila, E-Learning task team member, said “In the current e-society the use of technology has taken the lead and changed the way teaching and learning is taking place. For many years, WSU has been encouraging all its staff to make use of technologies for teaching and learning”.

The program comes after traditional teaching and learning procedures of the institution were disrupted due to the covid-19 pandemic which prompted a negative impact across institutions in the country as classes and administration were suspended with immediate effect in March of 2020.

“For WSU, moving to Moodle is still in line in enabling the use of new technologies to promote excellence in teaching and learning using technology,” he said.

The university has just adopted to being a technology driven university and Moodle will act as a more technologically diverse platform, enabling them the freedom to customize their platform and integrate branded content, innovative plugins, third-party tools, and eLearning best practices into their learning strategy to create a custom learning solution that will meet their specific learning goals.

Mbodila said the platform would differ from other platforms as it offers features that allow academics to create their own private websites with dynamic tools to develop courses that extend learning for students anytime and anywhere.

He added, “Moodle, which is the LMS we use – is going to become central to the blended learning approach at WSU. It is essential that students and staff familiarise themselves with the platform.”

The program also allows lecturers to communicate with their students and encourage communication between them in forums and discussions.

So far Mbodila and the E-Learning Task Team are in the beginning stages of introducing the program to the university. They will further provide training for lecturers and learners of the university.

“As an institution we are looking for ways to improve the use of our LMS, optimize early adoption and smooth implementation as well as create a perfect user experience for as long as the LMS is in operation.” Said Mbodila.

by Ongezwa Sigodi