FSTE launches 2013 Open Day free regional online and SMS-based quiz as part of mLearning
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 | FSTE Associate Dean L& T Dr Bibhya Sharma with smartphone winner and Environmental Science student Peni Vetaukula |
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With the new Strategic Plan 2013-2018 emphasising an added priority of Information Communication Technology (ICT), the University of the South Pacific is actively utilizing advanced technology to engage current and prospective students in pedagogy.
USP’s Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) recently activated the mLearning initiative spearheaded by Associate Dean, Learning and Teaching, Dr Bibhya Sharma.
The aim of the mLearning initiative is to introduce learning at a new level, moving away from traditional practices of teaching and learning and integrating new and advancing mobile technology to make pedagogy more interesting and stimulating.
For the first time, the University conducted a quiz for 2013 Open Day through a mobile platform. It was a Short Message Service (SMS) based quiz in which students had to correctly answer three questions to go into the draw to win a smartphone or net-book.
Additionally, every tenth person to complete the quiz with all correct answers received a $6 Vodafone or a $5 Digicel recharge token depending on their service provider. The quiz was for Open Day visitors, and proved quite successful, drawing the interest of many to the different booths.
Earlier this year, FSTE decided to build on the concept of Edutainment which is an act of learning through a medium that both educates and entertains.
Dr Sharma said, “Often, when we think of education, we think merely of classrooms where formal (or even informal) learning take place. However, there are many other environments and platforms which can be utilized to educate and engage people, sometimes in a more effective manner”.
“Sometimes we feel that learning is sheer hard work, and when we are done “learning” for a period of time, we may want to take a break for “entertainment”.
He said that traditionally, learning and entertainment are kept separate but with recent findings that entertainment provides one of the best platforms for education, this new learning tool is making its mark, with the inclusion of ICT.
In May 2013, FSTE announced a number of mLearning services that were activated for students. The service included receiving timely SMS notifications for courses and also checking assessment marks in Moodle via SMS.
In June 2013, students were given the opportunity to access their Semester I final exam timetables – free service available throughout the region.
A mobile game called Go-Nuts has also been developed, and consists of three modules: English grammar, C++ Programming and getting to know Moodle.
The faculty has also launched a mobile application (app), known as the Course Finder, which helps students to get information on courses offered at USP from their mobile devices.
FSTE is currently working with mobile telecommunications companies, Digicel Fiji and Vodafone, to advance the mLearning initiative in Fiji.
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