Prof. Bonaventure Nkup Haruna – University of Jos-Nigeria

In the University of Jos, when I was recruited as an academic staff, there was no form of any intervention training on Course Design, Course Facilitation and Authentic Assessment. This was the scenario until the intervention from the Partnership for Africa Social and Governance Research (PASGR) through PedaL that aimed at innovative transformative pedagogy in African Higher Institutions.  

PedaL offered and afforded me the opportunity to learn about Course Design, Facilitation and Authentic Assessment. Hence, I discarded the sterile teaching method of ‘chalk and talk’ which was largely Teacher-Centered to embrace the more innovative, interactive and exciting course delivery methods which included the use of Case method, Videos, Simulations, Role Play, Debate, Group Work and to the Ultimate Online Course Delivery Method (Pedal Online) using Asynchronous and Synchronous tools.  This was without imposing  any financial cost by PASGR and therefore making it possible for me to  acquire the 21^st century cutting –edge knowledge and skills in course delivery. For emphasis, I was not only trained on how to use Cases to teach but also graduated to write an e-Case for PedaL which is being used to teach Courses and Topics in Public Policy, Political Economy and Economics. 

My PedaL Journey has been having the multiplier effect of impacting on the students whom hitherto, depended on the teacher to ‘spoon feed’ them and only, regurgitate what taught without much value – addition to a transition to Student–centered learning that has consequently improved their Research, Critical- thinking competencies and Skill sets. 

My Aha moments are the knowledge of Constructive Alignment in Course Delivery and Technology Enhanced Transformative Pedagogy which have made teaching and learning more interactive, less tasking and ample opportunity to use digital resources.  I am profoundly grateful to PASGR for freely facilitating my acquisition of the 21^st century cutting – edge pedagogy skill.  

https://sites.google.com/s/1EJGSlOecUDotoavAxjUfUXkZhvYvE8Uc/edit?ts=5fc49889