TETFund unveils initiative to enhance online learning in tertiary institutions

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has unveiled Blackboard learning platform, an initiative to improve access to online academic resources in Nigeria. 

Sonny Echono, executive secretary of TETFund, spoke on Monday during the flag-off of a three-day workshop on the implementation of the Enhanced Blackboard Learning Management System and Train The Trainer Programme in Abuja.

Echono said over two million students and staff across beneficiary institutions in the country will benefit from the initiative when fully implemented.

He added that the intervention will further support physical and online modes of teaching and learning in tertiary institutions across the country.

“Online learning remains critical to our collective success, and so today, as we flag off this programme, the goal is that we would have provided the necessary skills for online Blackboard LMS and enhancements to further enrich teaching, learning and research in all 253 of our beneficiary institutions,” he said.

“When Blackboard enhancements become fully operational, over two million students and staff of these institutions will be able to: Access general resources to support learning including online tests and quizzes, submit assignments and electronic grade books which allow immediate review of grades and performance tracking,” he said.

“Carry out self and peer-assessment and collaboration on required projects thereby teaching students to provide constructive feedback and learn from each other.

“Access alternative formats of materials (including audio, Braille, ePub and HTML) to accommodate students with disabilities.

“Access an all-in-one web conferencing platform that will allow instructors to hold classes online, and in real-time, or record lectures or short videos to post on their course sites.

“Access to a community of 4000 other tertiary institutions worldwide. Project Management training.”