In a move that is set to address the increased demand for improved higher education e-Learning programs in Kenya, Kenyatta University (KU) has launched its new KU Digital School. This has been done in a bid to bring e-learning to the university’s mode of teaching.
The launch of the school is in line with the university’s motto; ‘Education Anywhere, Anytime, At Your Own Schedule and Pace’. It will enable students who are unable to take up full-time on-campus programmes to get access to and benefit from a wide range of quality programmes at Diploma, Undergraduate and Post-graduate levels through Open and Distance Learning modes offered at KU Digital School.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Fred Matiang’i, Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Information and Technology, Kenya said, “There has been a significant investment in Information and Communications Technology in the education sector which has resulted in technologicallyâ€enhanced teaching and learning approaches.â€
All newly enrolled students at KU Digital School will be provided with a free Tablet uploaded with registered units. Programmes will run on a trimester cycle, which means that students enrolled for the undergraduate programmes will complete their studies within 3 calendar years.
KU Digital School programmes will also combine digital instruction, with live tutorials in the Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Garissa, Kisumu, Kakamega, Embu, Nyeri and Marsabit regional centres. The use of smart phone tablets means that students can learn anytime anywhere without real-time internet access, proactively interact through offline and online forums and messages, as well as self evaluate and compare themselves with their peers.