DUT is on an e-Learning trajectory with 50 percent of its programmes set to be on an e-Learning platform by January 2015.

This is according to Professor Ahmed Bawa, DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, while talking about how DUT is fully embracing the idea of online teaching and learning, saying digital learning at the University is one of the most exciting projects that it (DUT) has engaged in.

Already, 23 percent of the courses offered at DUT have some level of e-Learning incorporated in them.

“It’s part of a larger strategy to produce active learning at the University and broaden access to learning to students who cannot be on campus. This large, complex project, headed by Professor Graham Stewart, is not a fad, but a direct attempt to improve the quality of learning and teaching via the intelligent and strategic use of technology,” said Prof Bawa.

He said the University’s Ed Tech Division has been providing academics with programmes to improve their skills to produce e-Learning courses.

DUT is already fully wireless. Students and staff have access to broadband wherever they are on campus. Prof Bawa said this is part of a tacit understanding that learning will happen everywhere – in lecture and tutorial rooms, libraries, etc.

Recently, the University introduced an iPad Zone facility comprising of iPads that will be on loan for use inside the BM Patel Library on the ML Sultan Campus. The University also has a project which allows students to borrow laptops from all its libraries. This project is funded jointly by DUT and our SRC out of its operating budget. Kindles are also available from the Library, and as from next year (2014), other forms of e-readers will be available on a loaning system. The University’s Library also has 204 000 titles in e-book form which can be accessed by lecturers and students from wherever they are.

While the University is making strides in the areas of digital learning, one of its challenges is ensuring that students have access to devices (laptops, tablets, e-book readers, etc) that support and enable digital learning. “Ideally, we would like students to bring their own (devices), but because we are aware that our students cannot necessarily afford the devices, we try to make them available via our Library,” said Prof Bawa.

He said the University is currently seeking deals with companies to allow students to purchase devices at reduced rates. “We are also negotiating with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme for the possibility of a grant being made available to poor students for the purchase of these devices. With the use of an e-Learning platform, we hope very much that students will also study while they are commuting to campus. One obvious spin-off of this is that students who graduate at DUT will automatically be technology savvy professionals,” said Prof Bawa.

– Sinegugu Ndlovu