Bukky Funmi

BACKGROUND 

I am a Physiotherapy educator with no background training in education and pedagogy. The only orientation I had when I was employed was on what was expected of me and how to balance my teaching with research to facilitate promotion. Teaching for me was therefore, learning on the job and ensuring contents were covered. The problem with this was that I did not consider learners’ diversity and different learning styles. I had very limited knowledge of using technology for teaching and learning. My only main method of assessment was through CATs and some group work. I had limited knowledge of the need for key transferrable skills and how to be intentional about teaching and assessing them in learners.  

INTERVENTION 

The intervention for me was Pegogical Leadership in Africa (PedaL). I was nominated to attend the onsite PedaL training at my University in May, 2019. The delivery of each module, though fast-paced, was fascinating and engaging for me. There were activities to encourage active participation of trainees. Even the class arrangements facilitated interaction and sharing among learners. I participated in role plays and simulations and the experience was transforming for me. The experience made me rethink how I facilitate my classes and conduct assessment. The intervention went according to plan. With the advent of COVID-19, PedaL trainings were moved online. This too was so timely, apt and appropriate.  

RESULTS 

The intervention led me to adopt technology for teaching. I was one of the people who pioneered the use of LMS for teaching in my College. The LMS had been available in my college but was not deployed for use by lecturers. The PedaL training motivated my deployment of the LMS for teaching/learning and use of innovative assessment methods for my learners. Today, all the courses I take have been migrated to the LMS. My graduate students document their learning journey using e-portfolios. I have been involved in training other colleagues in my college on the use of the LMS and adoption of e-learning. 

LESSON LEARNT 

The strategies used for the training, the task-oriented methods of training worked well for me. The training is compressed, basically due to time constraint and need to reach as many lecturers as possible and this places a lot of pressure on participants. This limited time didn’t work well as participants tend to drop out due to inability to cope with the pace. Others planning similar projects need to consult PedaL for guidance and leadership. PedaL is exceptional and has set a pace and provided a scaffold other projects could build on. Learning to constructively align course objectives with learning outcomes, learning activities and assessment was an AHA moment for me. Inclusivity and being gender sensitive with group composition and course materials was also an AHA moment for me. 

AHA MOMENTS 

I use different pedagogical strategies learnt through PedaL to facilitate my classes and this has made it easier for my students to learn. The use of online tools such as forum and multi-medias such as videos has influenced my students to embrace online learning more. The teaching methods I learnt from PedaL have truly transformed teaching and learning for not just my students but also for me as a facilitator.  

E-portfolio links: 

Funmi’s Site