The COVID-19 Third Wave has again disrupted schools, this time the scourge is proving more devatsting as it continues to claim an average of 50 people every day. How are colleges coping with this situation? Were any lessons learnt from the experience of the previous wave? At the time, many colleges panicked to switch to e-learning. Many of them did not have learning management systems in place. Others improvised and used the most easily accesible one, Google Classroom (you may wish to know that this year, 2021, Google has enhanced this platform to now include many LMS features that have transformed it into a serious learning management system). Now, from the time of the earlier COVID-19 waves to-date, it will be interesting to know if:
- Colleges were able to transform the then impromptu decisions into formal strategic plans.
- Colleges were able to incorporate e-learning into their standard operating procedures.
- TEVETA now accepts, and has formally incorporated and communicated, e-learning pedagogies and online forms of academic assessment.
The last item should be of foremost concern. This time we ought to be ahead of COVID-19, and instead of discussing e-learning implementations, stakeholders should have been strategising on the integration and use of proctored-exam applications into learning management systems. A proctored exam app enables an institution to conduct an online exam securely; it has electronic tools that monitors a student's conduct, wherever he or she could be. For example, any attempt to open a new browser window during an exam will terminate a session. These systems are used by universities around the world. The systems are also used in certification exams provided by well known tech firms such as CISCO, Oracle, and Microsoft Corporation.
If you are a head of a training institution please be admonished:
1. Experts have said COVID-19 could be an endemic, that is, it will linger for years to come. You have no option but to take e-learning seriously. When I say "seriously" I don't mean raising your voice or keeping on talking about it during your staff meetings; this is what I mean: Be proactive and invest in resources, training, and development of standard operating procedures and quality assurance plans for e-learning at your institution.
2. Do not succumb to 'resistance to change'. Many factors can hinder adoption of e-learning. "Some students have no access to Internet", "Lecturers do not have equipment for teaching" - are these sentiments familiar? There is no problem if they come from your operational workers or your followers, but if you are a leader, be informed that when the world changed from the Hunter-gatherer age to Agrarian, it was because some people rose above the challenge of the scarcity of animals by innovating to start domesticating and repopulating them in their residential places, whilst a few others were too conservative to give up on hunting. Later, industrialisation mechanised equipment leading to quicker methods of production; some nations were quick to adapt but many lagged behind and are still called Third World today! Simply put, change is always inevitable and it is your work, as a leader, to help your workforce adapt or they will become irrelevant to economic forces in their environment.
3. Take on a leading role. Always remember that strategic change can never successfully take course in an organisation if it is being propelled by low-ranking workers, no matter how innovative they could be. If there is no strong will from senior management to take the lead, 'Talk' instead of 'Action' is what will succeed. Secondly, do not foolishly retreat with the excuse of being a 'BBC' (Born Before Computers); don't be naive! As long as your brain, eyes, and ears are still working, you still have the ability to learn or you risk becoming irrelevant in this fast-changing world. Take interest to understand what an e-learning system is, how it works, what products are available on the market, and what competitive benefits e-learning brings to a college. You do not need to be a computer expert to aquaint with e-learning; it is now a necessary tool that senior management at a training institution ought to aquaint with.
It is my hope and prayer that phobia for the e-learning vaccine can subside, and that managers of training institutions can provide the much needed lead for their staff to take the jab. We will overcome, take care!
This excellent contribution sir🤝
ReplyDeleteE learning is the only way to access education due to covid. But on the other hand it will not cover all people in Zambia due to luck of good network system in some areas like remote area. Few moths ago I was in southern province gwembe district that side all network is bad due to mountains around and poor transmission system.
DeletePersonally, am agreeing to the first admotion made. Soon nor later covid-19 will be declared as endemic. covid-19 has come to stay as many exparts says. see other countries like singalore. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/moving-from-covid-19-pandemic-to-endemic.
ReplyDeleteHowever, heads of institutions has to take covid-19 like part of climate change because most people are aware of climate change and are adapting to its conditions. Therefore, institutions need to adapt to e-learning. If the institutions can be commited by providing quality and serious e-learning platform, learners will have no option than to cope.
However heads of institutions need to ACCEPT CHANGE and start mornitaring there subodinates CLOSELY.
I second this comment, institution have to provide serious learning platforms in order for e-learning to be taken seriously by learners indeed.😊
DeleteThe covid 19 virus is here to stay i agree with you. As educators in the education sector, we need to adapt and find ways to teach our students. Despite us as a nation currently experiencing the third wave. Heads of institutions have been very relaxed to switch to e-learning platforms, which needs to change. Beacuse change ought to happen and if we teachers don't move with the times. We shall find ourselves lagging behind in so many ways.
DeleteI confidently agree with you, traditional class meetings have been cancelled because of Covid-19 so online learning is the only way that can facilitate the teaching and learning process amidst the deadly pandemic.
DeleteTrue Mr. Ngulube, institutions should adapt to change and its conditions including students too.
DeleteStudents shouldn’t take e-learning lightly, I believe the lessons learnt online will help a student develop a skill to earn a living in the society.
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ReplyDeleteI personally disagree with admonition 2, e learning has many challenges and looking at a country like Zambia, e-learning is poorly been done. There are many factors that affect e-learning in Zambia not those which the author of the article has written currently The cost of living is high, we have poor internet, it also brings about laziness in students and if you a student does not have an electronic device with internet it means no learning. As for me I think e-learning is contributing to students failing.
DeleteTruly online learning has come along with many challenges. But that does not mean that we should fold our hands and watch our education system die, due to the endemic which does not support grouping.
DeleteHence there is need to improve our e- learning system (Zambia), for example online learning should be balanced and improved at both tertiary and lower level.
(a) Through media channel, like TV and radio stations. Should provide a platform that will enable teacher and pupil communication.
I am disagreeing with you, in as much as e-learning might have challenges but we need to understand that we are currently in the computer error where technology is at a peak henceforth, we need to find possible ways and means of embracing and using it in order to move at the same pace with the entire world in terms of educational delivery otherwise our educational system will remain substandard.
DeleteYes agree with you Mr Mobe you are right. course I once failed with the same system at LBTC.
DeleteDue to poor network system in Zambia.
I agree with the second admonition, people tend to shun away from e-learning due to certain circumstances such as, lack of gadgets, Data and network problems etc.
ReplyDeleteAs a leader, you have to pretend dumb and push your team to get used to the new normal of learning that COVID-19 has brought about in the Education sector. As you do that people will start looking for ways to adapt to the new system of learning, those without resources will begin to workhard and find means of adapting to e-learning.
Together we can fight COVID-19 by embracing the beauty of technology.
I agree with you people have different struggles, be it internet bundles, access to gadgets etc. But as much as that is the case. For the change we need to occur ,we need support from both the receivers(students) and the givers(lectures) in order for the e-learning education to be successful. Support from parents also could go a long way in adapting to the new normal of the corona virus and e-learning.
DeleteI agree with you, the struggle is real more especially we're putting all what it takes to adapt to e-learning is concerned but all in all the process needs to start and soon more people students in particular will follow suit in terms of getting familiar with the e-learning program.
DeleteI agree with admonitin.1.
ReplyDeleteOnline learning is the way to go!. We have seen both first and second waves of covid 19 come and go. We are now in the third wave, therefore covid19 is an "endemic". Now, will our traditional learning system stand?.
However the problem (covid 19), has been identified and it does not support our education mode. Therefore the possible solution in order to carry on with our academic paths is ONLINE LEARNING.
Hence deaths and cases of covid 19 will reduce.Therefore producing a safe and health country. Because a country which is health produce healthy citizens and economy.
Indeed I agree with you. Learning should not stand still because of COVID 19, as can be seen that all over the world people tend to focus on Online learning. Therefore, we have no option but to use it. Additionally, it reduces the chances of aquiring the disease because there are no unnecessary movements.
DeleteThe only consistent thing in life, is change. The Covid 19 pandemic is rapidly becoming a virus the entire word is learning to live with like AIDS. The Corona virus has only pushed the change from traditional learning to e-learning to come much quicker. With that said, I agree with the admonition number two. The MOE together with institutional leaders needs to provide all forms of support (Equipment, train lecturers, educate the masses).We as teachers need to adapt to this transmute.
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ReplyDeleteNot in support of 2nd admonishion. Technology has become expensive,the economy is in shackles, any personseeking to enroll for an academic program needs to invest in a range of equipment including computer, webcam and stable internet connection. There is absolutely no physical contact between students and instructors as instruction is delivered over the internet. This overdependence on technology is a major drawback to e-learning. In case of any software or hardware malfunction, the class session will come to a standstill, something that can interrupt the learning process. Moreover, the complicated nature of the technology used in e-learning only limits online education to students who are computer and tech smart.
ReplyDeletezambia is one of the developing countries meaning we are not on that level like China,Japan, usa mention, so that we can have quality of technology as they have NO. many students are struggling to access learning equipments YES. but i still think e-learning is the only way can serve student's and teacher's life from COVID-19. Together we can fight covid-19 by staying at home so that we break the spread of this virus so that things can drop back normal.
DeleteThe rise of e-learning has come about because of COVID-19 not just because the government wanted, therefore in as much as people not being tech smart, change has to take place, people will strive to learn about technology and they will learn.for us to avoid COVID-19 and people from dying we surely need e-learning.
DeleteI agree with the inception admonition. According to experts, "COVID-19 could be an endemic, that is, it will linger for years to come. You have no option but to take e-learning seriously." I support this admonition because e-learning provides a lot Of advantages to us learner's, Which include: it promotes higher order thinking skills, Significant Cost Savings, Learn at own pace or greater flexibility, Convenient Learning e.t.c.
ReplyDeleteThanks right! Students usually perform better in places they are most comfortable, these places could even be the comfort of their bedroom, effortless it would seem but very much affordable, avoiding expenses
DeleteI agree with the admonition point stating leaders or heads of institution should not be 'resistance of change' the world today needs people that are very flexible and are able to quickly adapt to new conditions, leaders what ever they do others will follow and, the same people that usually stick to their old ways are the same people that complain about not being on the same level or state as others as the point says they risk being called 'third world’ so to avoid this leaders can make these gadgets available to students inside the school area, while at home students must definitely find means to access the gadgets as they are not only important during these covid times but also in normal instances.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Institutions should not be resistant to change, instead they should focus on by adapting to change. Despite COVID 19, Online learning is a way to go. If not using it, it means most students world wide might be affected, however, Online learning is a way to go for institutions.
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ReplyDeleteFrom my perspective, I agree with the first admonition which says "Experts have said COVID-19 could be an endemic, that is, it will linger for years to come. You have no option but to take e-learning seriously." in support of this admonition, COVID-19 is here to stay just like any other disease e-learning should be considered just like any other traditional classroom learning, e-learning helps learners to come up with great innovation and researchs of what the teacher is teaching as most of the teaching is based on learner centrered. E-learning being it done online in the absence of the physical classroom setup, e-learning will reduce in the raise on contact to contact transmission of the COVID-19 virus as everyone get access to the learning materials in the comfort of there homes.
ReplyDeleteI agree with admonition 1,that Online learning is the way forward to go. Furthermore, COVID 19 is indeed "endemic". But our traditional learning cannot stand still. Although COVID 19 has stricken people, the good news is that Online learning was introduced for conducting lessons. By so doing, we are in the position of reducing the number of people from contracting the disease. In addition, we are creating a conducive environment for the betterment of everyone, therefore, I agree with admonition 1.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Despite the escalating covid 19 cases, learning shouldn't come still, we should embrace and appreciate the value of technology in all sectors which also include the educational sector by conducting e learning.
DeleteIam agreeing to the last admonition. It is obvious that covid 19 will not end soon following the waves we've had therefore the senior educational managers need to take the lead in enforcing e-learning in learning institutions so as to enhance the educational system despite the pandemic. Additionally, e-learning should be made as an ongoing educational program not only during the closure of schools because we are now living in a fast changing world were technology should be used and appreciated fully like what many other developed countries do hence developing the educational standard of the country. We can also make a difference!
ReplyDeleteWell said but I somehow believe that e-learning on the other hand works better in developed country's unlike here where getting hands on a piece of technology can cost a fortune.
DeleteWell spoken!, e-learning must continue even in the absence of the pandemic. It will enable students to be flexible, because one is not tied in class whole day. Therefore giving the students a chance to explore their minds. As an IT expert I second the implementation of e-learning.
DeleteDue to the fact that covid-19 cases and deaths in numbers keeps increasing day by day, I strongly agree with the first admonition were experts have said covid-19 could be an indermic, that is it will linger for years to come. For that, as covid-19 has greatly affected learning institutions, it is of utmost importance that institutions accept the situation and begin to embrace e-learning systems to keep the teaching and learning process going.
ReplyDeleteLearning institutions should invest massively into the e-learning systems and see to it that they are productive, effective and meeting the specific intended objectives.
investing is all that is suppose to be done to have quality and successiful e-leaning platfom.
Deletemoreover, when we move to e-learning, to the student part there will be reduction of some other costs like; boarding fee, printing costs if it day scholar students transport money all that can be utilized to invest to learning equipments...
I strongly agree with the first and second admonition reason being covid 19 has come to stay and will soon be declared an endemic as experts say it. In order to avoid the education system becoming stagnant in this covid error, the e- learning management system will be the best strategy to keep the education system moving in this new normal. Schools have to utilize the learning management systems and ensure that they offer the best quality education including both theory and practical courses and this will help students to take advantage And appreciate the technology and in result students will adapt to change and be relevant people in this technological world we are living in.
ReplyDeleteIam agreeing with the first and second admonition because covid 19 has come to stay and will soon be declared an endemic as experts say it. In order to avoid the education system becoming stagnant in this covid error, the e- learning management system will be the best strategy to keep the education system moving in this new normal.
DeleteThe world is changing and technology is at it's peak,so to succumb to resistance to change is as good as one refusing to grow.As the writer rightly put it factors that hinder not only adoption but implementation as well like lack of access to internet services,lack of IT devices but should we fold our hands and put a blind eye on what is happening? Covid 19 is in our midst therefore it's everyone's responsibility to adapt to nature and its challenges.In this covid19 era E-learning is the only way to go.
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ReplyDeleteMutinta mukuwa
ReplyDeleteThe world is changing and technology is at it's peak. So to succumb to resistance to change is as good as one refusing to grow. As the writer rightly put it, there are many factors that hinder not only the adoption of e -learning but implementation as well like lack of access to internet services and it devices, but should we fold our hands and put a blind eye on what is happening? Covid 19 is in our midst, therefore it's everyone's responsibility to adapt to nature and its challenges. In this covid era E-learning is the only way to go.
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ReplyDeletePersonally, am agreeing to the first admotion made. Soon nor later covid-19 will be declared as endemic. covid-19 has come to stay as many exparts says. see other countries like singalore.
ReplyDeleteHowever, heads of institutions has to take covid-19 like part of climate change because most people are aware of climate change and are adapting to its conditions. Therefore, institutions need to adapt to e-learning. If the institutions can be commited by providing quality and serious e-learning platform, learners will have no option than to cope.In order to avoid the education system becoming stagnant in this covid error, the e- learning management system will be the best strategy to keep the education system moving in this new normal.
I agree with the first admonition too. E-learning may have been underutilized in the past especially in developing countries,but the COVID-19 crisis is forcing the entire world to rely on it for education. So it is now important for heads of institutions to adapt to the new normal of E-learning no matter how challenging it may be. E-learning is the safer alternative to conventional classrooms because it will help protect students from unnecessary exposures to the COVID-19 virus. Heads of institutions will have to massively invest in the learning management systems in order for lessons to continue. Hopefully they will be successful in the end.
ReplyDeletewith E-learning platforms its a Sure thing that students will be on a safer side in contracting the virus. The importance of E-learning is that students can have classes at any time due to the fact that, most upcoming platforms like skype lectures are recorded and can be accessed later on.
DeleteI concur with you on this one, senior managers need to invest in e-learning because it will surely benefit the institution during this pandemic even after and it will also attract international students to apply. Students all around the world will be able to apply and get the knowledge, skill they intend to acquire.
DeleteVery true, at the end of the day we are meant to adapt and improve whatever we have on our plate, the pandemic calls for heavy investment towards technology and E-Learning in particular, I believe with an outstanding platform for E- Learning will be successful as you hope.
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ReplyDeleteI am agreeing to the second admonition of not succumbing to resistance to change. Currently, the world is fighting the corona virus pandemic which has significantly impacted the globe. However, technologies are advancing and its high time that we all get used to the advancement in technology especially now that covid 19, has taken on the third wave. Notwithstanding the fact that pupils and students have been affected, its high time institutions and the country at large take up technology and invested in suitable E-learning platforms. This will help students and lecturers to have classes effectively even though there are low levels of internet connectivity and accessibility in our country. The world has to keep on moving and everyone has to accept this new normal and embrace the new world of technology.
ReplyDeleteChange is definitely inevitable,so no matter how frustrating this virus is we need to accept the changes it has brought because if we resist we are the ones that will remain behind.
DeleteThe current COVID-19 outbreak is not the only disease to have impacted the world on a global scale. I agree with the third admonish, and I quote “As long as your brain, eyes, and ears are still working, you still have the ability to learn or you risk becoming irrelevant in this fast-changing world.” Change is inevitable, senior managers in training institutions should indeed take lead in making strategic decisions and keen interest in conducting a research on how e-learning can work effectively in their institution. They shouldn’t rely on lecturers (low rankings) to find means on how they will make lessons active in an institution.
ReplyDeleteYes management of schools should find ways to teach their lectures how these learning management systems work so we can move forward.
DeleteWell said Mr.Tembo, I agree with you, if senior managers completely depend on the (Low ranks) to carry the process of E-Learning and brain storm on enhancing the the process of E-Learning, chances are they might fail drastically, so a strategic and critical approach should be a vivid consideration.
DeleteAm sorry Mr Tembe take time to think about poor families in Zambia. Can they afford to have devices to access e-learning the answer is no. So how can you cover all the poor and the rich to have equal education?
DeleteLooking on the remote areas mostly munyumbwe network is bad and very poor transmission system that side the area is covered by mountain up and down. I guess you have been in valley areas before.
Looking to people who live there they standard of living is low mostly, which we add more cost to them. So to help them you need to provide device's to them as well good network system.
I have no problem with new learning system but my brothers and sisters out there. One Zambia one nation all people need to have access to education.
Mr. Chiyala, the fact that people from rural areas shift to urban areas to seek education and pay the same equal amounts with those living in urban areas. I believe they will make the same sacrifices to get educated by meeting to e-learning requirements. Let’s not only focus on the negative side, to every challenge there is always a possible solution. Have a good day sir
DeleteI agree with Mr Ngulume. Covid 19 is here to stay so this serves as a signal to all educational sectors to up their game in terms of learning and e-learning is a solution to this pandemic. Education boards should have management learning systems shouldnt be used for keeping records of the the school and students only it should also have learning activities such as classes assessments exams etc. The world is changing and computers are taking over. Let's adapt to the change
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ReplyDeleteBlogger Joshua Maoka said...
ReplyDeleteAs time goes by I believe COVID-19 isn't phasing away anytime soon as it is believed we will be having the 4th wave surging different parts of the world at large. I agree with the first admonition, Basically technology should be used at it's peak in learning institutions, not only do they equip students with the necessary skill but also training individuals that are in an electronic age per say, society will require us to have some sort of knowledge when it comes to technology. It all comes down to how we utilise vices like the E-learning.
Heads of institutions from get go should critically think the next 5 years to come and how impactful the E-learning process will be despite students not meeting physically for classes to avoid the spread of the virus
Written by Nelson momba
ReplyDeleteI agree with the third point of the school management needs to play a vital role in this pandemic by ensuring that school management systems have a provision for students and lectures to interact which means both lecturers and students need to have the full knowledge of how to use the systems hence making it user friendly...
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