The听Directorate of NOUN Press,听水果派 of Nigeria听(NOUN), has hosted a 4-day training programme for instructional designers on improved course material to enable students have a pleasurable moment while studying听at the university.
The workshop,听which was the maiden training of the directorate,听kick-started听on听Monday,听March听4听-7,听2024听in Abuja听and was aimed at effectively听integrating听technology into instructional design.
Declaring the workshop open,听the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters,听represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Technology, Innovation and Research (DVC-TIR),听Prof. 听Godwin Akper, said the training听was very imperative as a way of improving the university鈥檚听delivery system.
鈥淚t is the hope of management and senate of the university that after this workshop, the university would move several steps forward towards reviving or revolutionising its delivery system by making it at听per with what is obtained in every other university that runs Open and Distance Learning (ODL) across the globe.
鈥淭he reason we will remain leader听in ODL in听West Africa,听as we are supposed to be,听is for us to catch up with what is happening globally, which birth the instructional designer cadre and has been incorporated into the scheme of service of the university waiting for the approval of the council for us to have it legalised and you have your professional promotion and cadre to follow,鈥漢e听said.
He urged the participants听to be aware of the task ahead as this is a paradigm shift from what they used听to do before, to what they are expected to do now.听鈥渋t鈥檚 a total movement from where you were without looking back, if we are to use the concept of conversion.鈥
The Vice-Chancellor听commended the director for his professionalism and diligence in discharging his duties听and听promised听that听the management of the university is willing to provide听its听humanly and financial need as well听as听provide technical support when needed.
In his opening remarks, the Registrar, Mr.听Oladipo Ajayi, represented by the Ag.听Director,听Human Resources, Dr.听Muyiwa Akintola,听urged the participants to put on their thinking caps听as they were fortunate to be chosen among many that applied for the same job in the directorate.
He enjoined them to 鈥渢ake part in every assignment you are given, put your head on the training. Whatever you are being听taught today will usher you to what you will do in the university in the next 15 or 20 years.听I beg of you, make sure you are here, not here in absentia.鈥
In her closing remarks, the librarian, Dr. Angela Okpala,听appreciated the VC and the management for their relentless efforts听in ensuring that the course materials meet standard.
鈥淚 appreciate the VC who is always having interest of our course materials at heart and looking forward for innovative ways to improve the system.
She implored听them听to apply their heart all through the session of the training and make wise use of the opportunity as instructional designers in improving the study materials.
Earlier in his welcome address, the听Director,听NOUN Press, Dr.听Olubiyi Adewale, said the training听would听enrich skills, broaden perspectives and ignite creativity of individuals听and听participants.
According to him,听instructional design plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of education, particularly in the听open and inclusive environment that NOUN champions.
鈥淎t NOUN, we believe in the power of knowledge to transcend boundaries and empower individuals from all walks of life.听As instructional designers, you hold the key to unlocking potentials by designing learning pathways that are accessible, engaging and meaningful to learners across diverse backgrounds and contexts,鈥 the director said.
He听highlighted that by the end of the workshop, the participants will be able to discuss learning theories and their application to instructional design, demonstrate proficiency in conducting needs assessments to identify learning gaps and performance objectives, create clear and measurable learning objectives, select appropriate instructional strategies and delivery methods based on learning objectives and audience needs听and听design effective instructional materials.
Meanwhile, the participants were taken through some sessions with sub-themes by different resources persons听such as:听Introduction to听Instructional听Designs by Dr.听Lukman Bello;听Applying Learning听Theories in听Instructional听Design by Prof. Olubiyi Adewale;听Community Inquiry Model by Prof. Christine Ofulue;听Curriculum Design and听Sequencing by Prof. Juliet Inegbedion;听Cognitive听Processes in听Learning by Felix Kayode Olakulehin, among others.
Participants were also taken through some practical sessions听and presentations to ascertain the level of their assimilation and participation.