To Moodle or Not: Way Forward for TVET Institutions

  • James Kosgey Rift Valley Technical Training Institute
  • Shadrack K Kimutai Rift Valley Technical Training Institute
  • Anither J Rotich Rift Valley Technical Training Institute
Keywords: Moodle, TVET, e-learning, E-Learning

Abstract

Moodle is becoming popular as an E-learning environment for teaching and learning in TVET institutions. Every passing day the number of TVET institutions implementing Moodle as a Learning Management System (LMS) is increasing. E-learning remains a digital tool that can be used to effectively bring a lasting change in the current educational system. However Moodle as a technology freely availed as opensourced platform, there are pertinent issues related to its implementation, as compared to traditional blackboard and to whether good use of e-learning technologies would revolutionize teaching and training in TVET institutions. This paper describes the experiences of the authors at Rift Valley Technical Training Institute (RVTTI) in the implementation process of Moodle project in cooperation with Common Wealth of Learning (COL), where a trainer from COL carried out one week long training at the institution, assisting sampled lecturers from all departments to develop a single course unit on Moodle. This research was done with the following objectives in mind: to compare between conventional mode of teaching and teaching with Moodle; to demonstrate how e-learning technologies can be applied to improve both training and learning process in TVET institutions; to find out how Moodle can be used to improve the quality of education in TVET institutions; to establish how Moodle can be used to make the educational system to be more effective and sustainable. Descriptive Comparative research was used to compare the two methods of teaching which are Moodle and conventional mode of teaching where they are described as they are. Purposive sampling was used to select a sample from the targeted population. Document analysis was also used as a mode of data collection. The researchers further describe their experiences in implementing a management information systems course unit in Moodle for Diploma in Information Communication Technology at the institution. The findings indicated that E-learning technologies in TVET institutions remain the only feasible way to ensure continued improvement of quality of teaching and training.

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Published
2016-05-25
How to Cite
Kosgey, J., Kimutai, S., & Rotich, A. (2016). To Moodle or Not: Way Forward for TVET Institutions. Africa Journal of Technical and Vocational Education and Training, 1(1), 75-81. Retrieved from https://afritvet.org/index.php/Afritvet/article/view/14
Section
OPEN AND FLEXIBLE SKILLS IN EDUCATION AND TRAINING