MZUMBE UNIVERSITY
(CHUO KIKUU MZUMBE)
DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
Introducing Mzumbe e-learning system
Target: Mzumbe management
Author: Mohamed a. Ghasia (ag. Ass. Director – DICT)
Date: 24th March 2009
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Introducing Mzumbe E-learning System
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Introduction
This document is an abstract and an introductory note to Mzumbe management and community on the elearning system that is about to be implemented at the university. Among other things this note is intended
to introduce to the responsible individuals on the availability of the system at the university, its features and
inform them on the potentials that exist within using the system.
The main objective of conducting this short briefing note is to ask for blessings from the users so that once
the system is implemented, the members involved in this briefing will assist in portraying the necessity of
using the system to their responsive subordinates. It is thought that all Deans and Directors of the university
will be attending the first briefing therefore faculty and directorate members will then be informed on the
need to adopt the system.
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What is Mzumbe E-learning system?
It is a course Management Systems (CMS1) customized to suit Mzumbe university environment in order to
facilitate academic delivery and communication between university organs as well as between students and
their lecturers.
It is a web based application made from Open Source Software (OSS); organized, customized and stored
within university servers. It is located at university DICT and accessible through address
(http://elearning.mzumbe.ac.tz) and will be linked at the university website for easy access. It is now
accessible all over the world; but only users with right credentials are able to brows information within it.
1.2
Mzumbe E-learning system Features
Like any other course management systems, our e-learning system consists of all relevant tools (features)
that will facilitate academic delivery. Those features include facility for uploading and sharing of academic
materials for students to access also facilities that facilitate communication between student and lecturer.
On top of that there are other facilities that give a lecturer capability to assess students through
assignments, quiz, exercises and grading facilities that a student will be able to receive feedback online. The
list below lists the available features in the university e-learning systems of which training on using those
features will be provided to Staff, students and other users of the system.
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CMS is a software platform that provides an easy way to upload and share materials, hold online discussions and chat,
give quizzes and survey, gather and review assignments, and record grades.
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Uploading and share documents
Create content online in HTML
Online discussions
Grade discussions/participation
Online Chat
Student peer review
Online assignment/Quizzes/survey
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Online Gradebook
Student submission of documents
Self-assessment of submission
Student work groups
Lessons with paths
Student journals
Embedded glossary
Why use Mzumbe e-learning system?
The Mzumbe e-learning system is not a replacement of the existing systems of academic delivery. It is
not expected to free lecturers or students from face-to-face teaching in class; instead it is expected to
compliment the available system. Actually it is believed to have three systems of academic delivery; online systems which all the teaching is done through online system, such systems are much used for
distance learning. Face –to-face systems which involve teachers and students meeting in class and all
materials and academic delivery is done there, such system is what we do have at Mzumbe University.
And Hybrid system which combines both of the previous ways; with hybrid systems Materials would be
shared to student online in advance and during face to face a class will just be focused on areas not well
understood.
There are several advantages of using this system in the university, not only for academic delivery but
for communication and sharing of information. The following are some obvious potential that will be
realized through the use of this stem:Improved academic delivery; by moving most of academic materials online prior to the face to face
meeting it gives students a chance to grasp the coming lecture and get prepared to. This will enable the
lecture to use the class hours to solve unresolved questions, and engage with students in discussions.
This is likely to allow an in-depth analysis and understanding of the topic.
Improved communication between students/ Staff and the university; the current system used for
academic delivery is challenged with several issues, one of them being some students are reluctant to
speak in class because of shyness, Uncertainty or language issue. This system allows those kinds of
students to take their time and compose their questions online. The lecturer will thereafter respond to
these questions for the rest of class.
On top of that, we are currently facing communication problems at the university. There are so many
happenings that cannot be shared across the community. For examples several issues such that require
public opinions could be discussed within this system. Members from all university campuses will be
able to share their opinions openly and consensus being reached on an open and transparent grounds.
Also some important documents such as meeting minutes, reports and others would be available to all
users at a click rather than what is happening now. News from campuses/faculties and directorates are
not known by the community; which make it useful to adopt this system.
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Course availability even at tight schedule; At present not once students and staff are forced to miss
face-to-face meetings in class. Some of the reason being travels to different locations such that they
cannot attend class. In the current system that happening has a significant impact in the delivery of
materials. By adopting this e-learning system; lecturers and students will have extra chance of attending
classes from a distance provided such person can access the internet. Lecturer can upload materials
from remote so as to engage in discussion, send assignment to students by using the available features
of the system hence reducing the impact of missing face-to-face meetings.
Improved IT Literacy to students; the current job market demands the IT literacy to our students.
Despite university having included ICT syllabus to all courses at the university, wisdom shows that many
students graduates without IT skills. Some students take these classes just for passing exams but in real
sense they finish ICT illiterate. If we adopt the current system it will force our student to go and work
with computers and hence boost their IT literacy level.
Reduced university expenses on papers and Ink; The University is spending a lot of money currently
through printing of documents. Sometimes some printing is done for the purpose of sharing of
information; such printing includes weekly reports, key university documents, minutes and reports and
so many. It is even worse as each printing is done on singe side of the paper that makes almost half of
the budget spent in ream of paper is being thrown unused. That can be analyzed in terms of cost
implication; these printings can now be reduced through the use of this system. Most of documents can
be shared online for users to access and therefore save the cost used to buy reams of paper and ink.
3.0
Using Mzumbe E-learning System
The e-learning system will work as University Intranet system. That means regardless of where it can be
accessed; only university users will access and use the system. Although other people outside university
will be able to open the page, they will not have capability to get into the system and enjoy its content.
It is expected to be the main communication platform for issues that matters to only Mzumbe
community.
To realize this commitment, all staff and students will be given access to the system through special
accounts. The username and password will be provided by DICT. Moreover, these users will be assigned
roles that will allow them to carry-out specific activities within the system. This means the administrator
of the system will have more power than other users; also lecturers will be powerful compared to
students in all issues related to the course administration. On top of that,
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Student will not be able to access their lecturer environment; this is basically for the security
and privacy purposes
Each staff and student will only have access to the subject to which they are enrolled on. No
lecturer or staff will be able to access materials that are not belonging to them without concern
of the owner.
In the case where a certain staff/ lecturer leave a subject or employment; within receipt of such
information, that individual’s rights will be revoked from the system.
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Therefore soon after the briefing meeting the DICT will start working on the user accounts, and then
provide training to all staff and students whom will be involved in the usage of the system.
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Challenges facing the implementation of the system at the university
The implementation of this system is not as straight forward as one might have thought. Being one of IT
project, there are several issues that if not taken care off they would bring this effort down. Among
others, The DICT is keen to mention some of the challenges that have direct impact on the success of
the system.
It literacy; At present the IT skills to students and some staff is very low, some have never even touched
a computer for their life time. Challenge comes as to how can be done so that to help these students to
be able to work with system? If they are not helped there is a chance they will be left behind and hence
problem. The special training on the use of the system will be given to student but without computer
knowledge, very little can be expected from those trainings.
Availability of computers to student; for the system to be useful, students should be able to interact
with computer more often; this calls for additional computers to students. The directorate is working to
make sure that all computer labs are available to students and all computers are working properly. The
directorate has also started talking with Library on the possibility of deploying more computers in the
library for student access. Also the deployment of wireless internet and LAN to class rooms and around
university is some of efforts that aim at reducing the gape. To assist in this the university needs to
provide enough funds for repairing available ICT equipment as well as procuring new ones. Also the
university should assist in provision of security so that these items are not vandalized.
Internet connectivity; internet connectivity is at the heart of the success of the system. Users will be
connecting to the system through internet; therefore enough bandwidth within limited downtown is
necessary. There are efforts going on to better manage the available bandwidth, but also the university
is keen to improve the current bandwidth to 1MBS down/up. Also wireless LAN expansion will allow
many users to have access to the system. It is our challenge to make sure these demands are met.
Security; without proper security this system will not be usable. Users need to rely on the system for
security, privacy and integrity. There are challenges associated with Virus outbreak, hacking, and
confidentiality. Some arrangements to have reliable anti-virus are on-process and also access to the
servers hosting the system will be controlled. These controls are both manual and technical measures
such as having firewalls to block unused ports.
Support to students and Staff in Mbeya and Dar es Salaam Campuses; it not expected for users of the
system just jumping into using system without training. Even if so, support to these users should always
be available whenever needed. For Mzumbe main campus this will be covered by all DICT staff. For Dar
es Salaam Campus there is only one staff available that is overwhelmed by his responsibilities. In Mbeya
campus we do not have DICT staff; calls to recruit one have become a song of the day but yet to be
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fulfilled. The directorate will equip skills to the available staff at Dar Camps but in the long term, the
university need to add another staff at Dar Campus and Mbeya.
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