Background
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed unimaginable challenges on higher education (HE) institutions globally. Ghana recorded its first case of the Coronavirus on March 12, 2020. Consequently, its government implemented a series of measures including a lockdown of all educational institutions to slow the spread of the virus in the country. This government directive interrupted the academic calendar for all institutions through the country, requiring University of Cape Coast (UCC) and University of Education, Winneba (UEW) to implement innovative solutions to address the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and online teaching going forward. Need for this project is derived from lessons learned during the pandemic and aiming beyond in this digitalised HE environment. There is opportunity to change course digital delivery in HE institutions in Ghana and build sustainable digital learning policy in sub-Saharan Africa.
Goal
Scaling up digital education delivery calls for strategic planning and development of existing and innovative pedagogical methods specific to digital delivery. The project will result in the development of an educational research based action plan, which will include the development of the delivery system and training. This will enable the facilitation of digital educational innovation and research at UCC and UEW. The project thus intends to cause a shift towards data-driven and evidence-based methods of providing digital education at UCC and UEW, changing the thinking of researchers, educators and digital solutions providers.
Impact
The project has strong emphasis on professional development of HE teachers in Ghana and the significant impact is founded on building capacity and capability for digital delivery in a sustainable way considering also wellbeing at work dimensions of HE teachers. It is established by having suitable strategy, sufficient policies and putting those into action. Participating universities are current and future forerunners of utilising digital learning environments. The project will build lasting impact on the target area and the results support equality and inclusion among citizens. The results gain directly thousands of people to whom the implementation of new policies and conventions offer chance for education by lowering several geographical, social, or financial thresholds.
Funding
The project is funded by EU’s Erasmus+ programme to support education, training, youth and sport.
Partners and co-operators
The project is coordinated by TRIM- Research Centre for Interactive Media at University of Tampere, Finland and done in cooperation with Centre of Excellence in Educational Innovation (CEEI), Tallinn University (TLU), Estonia, University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana and University of Education Winneba (UEW), Ghana.