1. Developing e-learning in rural settings A case of SWOT analysis at Mzumbe University, TZ E-Learn 2014 – New Orleans October 29th, 2014 Prof. Dr. Koen DePryck, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Prof. Dr. Chang Zhu, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Dr. Jennifer Sesabo, Mzumbe University, Tanzania

3. Context Mzumbe University, Morogoro region, Tanzania VLIR-UOS IUC project the Flemish Interuniversity Council, Belgium, Institutional University cooperation project for universities in selected south countries 3

4. GRE@T “Governance and entrepreneurship through Research, Education, Access and Technology” 4 subprojects (2 transversal, 2 thematic) 1.Strengthening teaching capacity/ research capacity/ organisational capacity 2.Improving ICT infrastructure and integrating ICT in teaching and learning 3.Promoting good governance through integrated community-based activities 4.Promoting entrepreneurship development through integrated community- based activities

5. E-learning: need Limited classroom space Part-time students not on campus; Cater to needs of students on different campuses Communication between lecturers and students Newer methodologies for teaching and learning New competences for graduates …… 5

6. E-learning learning facilitated online through network technologies ICT enhanced learning by delivering learning contexts and activities via internet, intranet/extranet, audio/video i.e. via an environment consisting of hardware, software and personnel (Keller, 2007)

7. The current situation Moodle (since 2009) Some courses available on Moodle (mainly repository for documents) Supporting staff present Teaching staff involved Students involved BUT: Low level of ICT adoption, low usage, few features within e-learning system are utilized, low bandwidth

8. Research question What are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) perceived by the academic staff regarding the implementation of e-learning at Mzumbe University in Tanzania? 8

9. Capacity building for the implementation of e-learning Focus on three key aspects of capacity building for e-learning: institution-related –leadership, policies, strategies… instruction-related –beliefs, competencies, capacity… investment-related –infrastructure, selected technologies, match of needs & affordability…

10. Method & procedure Workshops Group discussions Online threaded discussions Surveys 10

11. Academic staff participants ParticipantsMzumbe U-Tanzania Female12 Male23 Age range27-50 Average age37 (SD=6.62) Disciplines Education, Social Sciences, Business Studies, ICT, Law, Science and Technology, Administrative studies, Development Studies

12. Findings & results Strengths Institution-related 1.Top management commitment for implementing e-learning 2.Available computers, internet and increased wireless access points 3.Availability of the MOODLE e-learning platform 4.Internet access on other campuses is increasing Instruction-related 1.Competence of IT staff 2.Willingness and commitment of a large group of staff members 3.Basic IT skills of most of staff and students 4.Willingness of most students to adopt e-learning Investment-related 1.University readiness to invest in e-learning and support of project funding

13. Findings & results Weaknesses Institution-related 1.Absence of university policy on e-learning 2.Inadequacy of computers, PCs & internet access for students & limited facilities per staff; unstable internet connectivity & insufficient bandwidth 3.Limited support for e-learning for staff and students Instruction-related 1.Limited competences (knowledge, skills…) of staff and lack of training for staff for e- learning; e.g. limited capacity of staff to develop e-learning material or design 2.Resistance of some staff to change and new technology 3.Lack of commitment among some staff and students to use e-learning in the teaching & learning processes 4.Lack of student competences, e.g. some new students without computer knowledge 5.Lack of awareness, motivation & incentives to implement e-learning 6.Lack of plagiarism tools to monitor the quality of student assignments Investment-related 1.Limited resources

14. Findings & results Opportunities Institution-related 1.Management support 2.Serving many students in a short time 3.Wider reach into the (regional) community 4.Availability of skilled personnel 5.Saving time, faster communication to students 6.In line with university expansion plans & the growing trend towards e-learning Instruction-related 1.Willingness to learn of staff and students 2.Participation of student from a distance; accessible way of learning regardless of location 3.Enhance teaching and learning interaction (among teachers & students) 4.Communication in online forum can increase the participation of some students, e.g. the students who are shy 5.The assignments can be creative Investment-related 1.Available funding resources from external agencies

15. Findings & results Threats Institution-related 1.Lack of institutional support; Current policy or regulation may be in conflict of e- learning; e.g. classroom attendance 2.Fluctuation of internet connectivity 3.Limited e-learning facilities and training 4.Challenges of new technologies Instruction-related (including social & culture-related) 1.Cultural issues & habits e.g. favouring face to face communication pattern & preaching style of teaching 2.Risk of reduced F2F social interactions 3.Resistance to change of some staff 4.Lack of seriousness and self-regulation among students, e.g. when surfing the internet. 5.Little monitoring of student assignments in e-learning. 6.Higher workload Investment-related 1.Financial constraints

16. Finding The SWOT analysis is a useful tool to analyse the current situation and need and aspirations for capacity building for e- learning. The use of the 3I-model (institutional, instructional and investment-related) provides direction and priorities for capacity building.

17. Discussion of priorities Institution-related aspects  the vision of the university and relevant policies are important Instruction-related aspects  competences of teachers and staff are crucial Investment-related aspects  Securing the external & internal funds to sustain the implementation is crucial

18. E-learning strategies & future Work on policy & strategy Beliefs, competences & learning culture –E-learning courses for staff (eg. academic writing, research skills, …) –Start building an e-learning course with staff (course on entrepreneurship) –Report on the process (= reflection) (presentations in conferences, …) Resources –Further upgrade infrastructure (servers, wireless access on campus, moodle, …)

19. Contacts VLIR country strategy & IUC programs http://www.vliruos.be/en/ http://vlir-uos.mzumbe.ac.tz/ chang.zhu@vub.ac.be Vrije Universiteit Brussel Project leader koen.depryck@vub.ac.be Vrije Universiteit Brussel jksesabo@mzumbe.ac.tz Mzumbe University