scholarly journals Conceptualisation of Ubuntugogy as a Decolonial Pedagogy in Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-104
Author(s):  
Bunmi Isaiah Omodan ◽  
Nolutho Diko

The concept of ubuntugogy appears as an ordinary grammatical prowess to some, while it also remains unknown to many. This conceptual paper attempts to conceptualise ubuntugogy, not only as indigenous teaching and learning but also as a decolonial pedagogy with liberating potentials. An assumption exists that today’s pedagogical process in Africa is still laced with subjectivism, and it fails to challenge the Eurocentric hegemony that lies within school systems.  The failure to address Eurocentrism explicitly leads to the need for ubuntugogy. Ubuntugogy, therefore, needs to be unpacked for better understanding. That is, this study is not to challenge the hegemony of westernised classrooms and their pedagogical process in Africa but to conceptualise the hidden potential of ubuntugogy to fill out the limited literature of the concept in the world of academics. Hence, the study provides answers to questions such as; what is ubuntugogy? What is the epistemology of ubuntugogy? What are the transformative tendencies of ubuntugogy, and how does ubuntugogy relevant in 21st Century classrooms? The study concluded that the idea of ubuntugogy is to create a learning environment where everyone feels empowered, encouraged and free from the burdens of Eurocentric and Americentric imposition with an open tendency of knowing and being human. 

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumera Nisar ◽  
Usman Mahboob ◽  
Rehan Ahmed Khan ◽  
Durraiz Rehman

Abstract Background In recent days when mankind is passing through the difficult times of COVID-19 pandemic with lock down, almost all over the world, online communication has taken over the world. Overburdened physicians in this pandemic cannot get enough time to teach clinical skills online to the students. Also, due to student’s safety issues, the students cannot attend the clinics. Therefore, in this scenario online PAL sessions for clinical skill teaching and learning can be an effective alternative for undergraduate medical students. The academic limitations caused by the COVID-19 related lockdown however can have a pleasurable outcome if certain challenges, related to online PAL, are overcome. Therefore, the present study aims to identify the challenges of Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) sessions during online clinical skills training in Ophthalmology module of undergraduate medical students.MethodologyThis qualitative exploratory study, utilizing online focus group discussions to explore the challenges of online PAL in training and learning of clinical skills was carried at Ophthalmology department of Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah; Saudi Arabia. Ethical approval was taken from the college and purposive convenient sampling technique was used to collect data. Data was transcribed and analyzed by using thematic analysisResultsThe study identified six themes for argument and classified into further smaller subthemes. The subthemes derived from the collected data were organized under major themes; infrastructure, learning environment, psychological problems, interaction deficit, learning desires and desire for feedback on performance. In our study, major challenge faced by the medical student during online PAL sessions was infrastructure in terms of network connection, scheduling, timing of the session which overpowered by other challenges of online PAL. Unprofessional learning environment, psychological problems in terms of behavioral issues and personality changes, interaction deficit with peers, tutor and patient, learning desires and desire for feedback on performance were the other important challenges faced by the students. ConclusionThe challenges explored by our study can be used by the medical educators to incorporate online PAL as an effective, efficient and alternative teaching and learning modality in the curriculum especially in compromised circumstances like current COVID-19 pandemic.


Author(s):  
Muriel Wells ◽  
Damien Lyons

In the 21st century young people live and learn in a technological world that is fast paced and in a constant state of change. As technology becomes more and more accessible outside of the classroom, educators are challenged to re-consider the literacy skills required to be successfully literate. Enacting literacy teaching and learning in and for the 21st century requires teachers to update their pedagogical knowledge, skills and contextual understanding of the world children live and learn in. This chapter offers a brief overview of the Australian Curriculum, locating it within a 21st century learning discourse. The authors interpret and analyse one young student's creation of a digital text in a movie modality. Attention is paid to how the case study teacher created meaningful digital literacy learning experiences and opportunities for children to create and interact in social, multimodal textual environments, both within and beyond the school.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Phạm Minh Giản ◽  
Đặng Quốc Bảo ◽  
Tăng Thái Thụy Ngân Tâm ◽  
Phạm Văn Tặc

Building “happy schools” has been one of the key concerns by many countries in recent years with an aim to create a friendly, safe, and happy teaching and learning environment so that teachers and students can have more motivation in improving their teaching and learning achievements, thus bringing forth more happiness to the involved individuals and organizations. The article introduces the concept of a “happy school”, outlined the perspectives on building happy schools by the world and Vietnamese political, cultural leaders, educational researchers as well as organizations so that they can be applied in the process of educational innovation. Thereby, the authors identify the key elements and criteria for such a “happy school” model, clarify the roles of the schools’ headmasters as well as summarize a set of ten messages for a happy school to prepare under the current situation of school innovation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 85
Author(s):  
Tajularipin Sulaiman ◽  
Suzieleez Syrene Abdul Rahim ◽  
KaiYan Wong ◽  
Wan Marzuki Wan Jaafar

Abstract: In the teaching and learning process, assessment can be applied in various ways.  In order to ensure the quality of education, assessment should be performed as a platform to support student learning. The role of assessment also ensures that students’ learning outcomes meet the needs of the 21st century skills. “Scratch & Challenge Board” (SCB) can be used to support the 21st century teaching and learning environment through focus group discussions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of university students on the use of “Scratch & Challenge Board” as an alternative assessment tool in enhancing students’ skills. This study applied the qualitative research approach. Data were collected through focus group interviews and related documents such as students’ assignments. A total of 10 focus group were obtained, with 3-4 students in each group, and each discussion was moderated by an experienced moderator. Collected data were analysed using constant comparative data analysis methods to obtain the themes. Four (4) themes emerged in this study: (i) alternative assessment encourages active participation in learning, (ii) integrating technologies in assessment tools, (iii) relevant with 21st century skills, and (iv) improvement in learning environment. In conclusion, the “Scratch and Challenge Board” is an assessment tool that not only supports face-to-face teaching and learning, but can also be integrated with technological devices and social media platforms. The “Scratch and Challenge Board” also enhances students’ 21st century skills   Keywords: Assessment tool, Alternative assessment, Group discussion, Teaching innovation


Author(s):  
Muriel Wells ◽  
Damien Lyons

In the 21st century young people live and learn in a technological world that is fast paced and in a constant state of change. As technology becomes more and more accessible outside of the classroom, educators are challenged to re-consider the literacy skills required to be successfully literate. Enacting literacy teaching and learning in and for the 21st century requires teachers to update their pedagogical knowledge, skills and contextual understanding of the world children live and learn in. This chapter offers a brief overview of the Australian Curriculum, locating it within a 21st century learning discourse. The authors interpret and analyse one young student's creation of a digital text in a movie modality. Attention is paid to how the case study teacher created meaningful digital literacy learning experiences and opportunities for children to create and interact in social, multimodal textual environments, both within and beyond the school.


Author(s):  
Victoria M. Cardullo ◽  
Vassiliki “Vicky” I. Zygouris-Coe ◽  
Nance S. Wilson

Technology has evolved and continues to evolve at a rapid pace, allowing access to learning wherever and whenever students need, creating a ubiquitous learning environment. This rapid evolution of technology will require preparation of students for the 21st century, including post-secondary students, necessitating a fundamental and systematic change in how schools are organized for ubiquitous learning. For mobile learning technologies to truly facilitate student learning and prepare students for learning beyond the 21st century, a paradigm shift in teaching and learning is needed. Ubiquitous computing environments should be viewed through the lens of the learner and the learning environment in which all students have access to mobile learning devices anytime, anywhere, thus transcending the boundaries of the classroom. Integration of m-learning and ubiquitous technology in the K-20 classroom will require a new pedagogical framework for teaching and learning. At the heart of this framework is the classroom teacher: a teacher who is aware of the benefits and challenges of technology in education. This chapter explores the benefits and challenges of this technology in education.


2015 ◽  
pp. 1877-1899
Author(s):  
Victoria M. Cardullo ◽  
Vassiliki (Vicky) I. Zygouris-Coe ◽  
Nance S. Wilson

Technology has evolved and continues to evolve at a rapid pace, allowing access to learning wherever and whenever students need, creating a ubiquitous learning environment. This rapid evolution of technology will require preparation of students for the 21st century, including post-secondary students, necessitating a fundamental and systematic change in how schools are organized for ubiquitous learning. For mobile learning technologies to truly facilitate student learning and prepare students for learning beyond the 21st century, a paradigm shift in teaching and learning is needed. Ubiquitous computing environments should be viewed through the lens of the learner and the learning environment in which all students have access to mobile learning devices anytime, anywhere, thus transcending the boundaries of the classroom. Integration of m-learning and ubiquitous technology in the K-20 classroom will require a new pedagogical framework for teaching and learning. At the heart of this framework is the classroom teacher: a teacher who is aware of the benefits and challenges of technology in education. This chapter explores the benefits and challenges of this technology in education.


Author(s):  
Gladys Palma de Schrynemakers

There has been a great deal written about the three subjects discussed in this chapter. One of the challenges, however, is establishing meaningful links between the first two, constructivism and open source, so that the synergism between them can provide faculty with the tools to create the best possible learning environment for students. Herein, therefore, we examine these connections, first by an overview of how students acquire information and thus learn about themselves and others in the 21st century. From here, the discussion moves on to shed light on the deeply-rooted need of individuals to understand themselves and the world through dialectic, that is by investigating truths through discussion. Intrinsic to this task is an examination of the impact of technology on those interested in pursuing teaching and learning through open source platforms: How, for example, has technology abetted or truncated that dialogue in education? We then follow the linkages between constructivism and open source to examine how both link up to provide support and pedagogical assistance to student learning. The chapter concludes with examples of how the author has integrated constructivist philosophies with open source technology to establish a collaborative and effective learning environment for college students.


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