I
attended the E-learning Africa Conference 2018 of 3 days held at the Kigali
Convention Centre-Rwanda from 26th -28th September 2018.
My participation was funded by the Swedish Library Association. Each
day started and ended by a plenary session. All the themes were addressed
through a range of sessions focusing on the technology transformation. Below is a summary of my impressions.
The
Internet is the driver of e-learning, it is the key networking for education
professionals, investors, and training; E-Learning becomes possible when there
is an integration of ICT in the education system, which requires a policy and
strategy of its own.
The
conference explored creative ways which E-Learning can support the development
and help to build a sustainable future. Here are the key principles of effective
online facilitation: creation of knowledge and opportunity, transfer of
knowledge to the local team, digital literacy got to be responsible technology
transfer, solutions of problems and mechanisms, online learning as a catalyst
for change in higher education.
We
learned about the benefits of technology and its role, how to manage students
on the e-learning program: handle their questions, management of the FORUM… The
role of a mobile phone (smartphone) on the online facilitation in learning and
teaching online and blended courses: it is cheaper and portable.
Despite
all the challenges facing the academic libraries in Africa, they try to
establish themselves modern online centres of research, find out how infrastructure,
quality assurance of information and collaboration are crucial factors in
building Africa’s higher education research base.
The
E-Learning faces some challenges such as inadequate human capacity leading, power
cuts, no backups even at the campus, non-reliable Wi-Fi connection and so on. In
conclusion, the E-learning will meet their goals when they have a clear plan
and fund; internal policies to be adjusted, consistent budget, training and
support of teaching and the technical staff in place to provide greater
resources to facilitate learning.
The
E-Learning Africa Conference 2018 enabled me to develop my knowledge as well as
to enhance my expertise and abilities to improve the practice of E-Learning
across a range of key sectors including education, healthcare, agriculture, and
security. My
Thanks go to the Swedish Library Association for the generous opportunity you
offered me. It will be such a big help for the URLIS. It’s much appreciated.
Gahongayire Odette
Acting Director of Campus Library Services
University of Rwanda
