Zoom, Airmeet and google take over varsity lecture halls
Students of St Paul’s University Nakuru Campus during a computer studies session. Universities have adopted online learning programmes.
What you need to know:
- Some students and lecturers had also to learn to live with hackers who would interrupt classes.
- Kenyatta University developed learning management information system where every learner must be registered in order to access learning materials.
- Other universities across the world have adopted Airmeet, an Indian online virtual event platform that personifies the nuances of a typical offline event.
When Universities suspended face to face learning due to outbreak of corona virus in the country a number of institutions had to adjust to online learning.
Universities had to embrace use of video-conferencing platforms such as Zoom, Google Classroom and Google meet among others.
Some students and lecturers had also to learn to live with hackers who would interrupt classes.
Some had to develop their own platforms to conduct online teaching such as Kenyatta University.
Kenyatta University developed learning management information system where every learner must be registered in order to access learning materials.
However, the university did not administer examinations using the platform as a measure to deal with impersonation.
Rehema Lumumba, a student at the University of Nairobi said doing examination online as well as learning has given her a new experience.
Lack of bundles
“It is new to us since we were used to face to face learning and sitting for end semester examinations. However, the new technology comes with challenges such as lack of (data) bundles and unnecessary disruption from family members and friends,” said Ms Lumumba.
At the University of Nairobi, director of communication John Orindi said the technology has served them better since they were able to administer exams.
“We are using Google class, Microsoft teams, zoom and webex,” said Mr Orindi.
Kisii University has also established a robust e-learning system that seeks to reach over 20,000 students and staff who are actively engaging in teaching, learning and research initiatives.
Vice Chancellor John Akama said the university has created a conducive virtual learning environment that is comparable to that of many other likeminded institutions of higher learning globally.
“We are digitizing most of our academic and administrative systems to take our operations into the digital space,” he added.
Other universities across the world have adopted Airmeet, an Indian online virtual event platform that personifies the nuances of a typical offline event.
Unique features
With Airmeet's user-friendly interface and unique features allowing interactions with peers and speakers both publicly and privately, it has become a platform of choice for top schools globally to host admissions, orientations, webinars, seminars, convocations, summits and more. The platform has dynamic features such as backstage, social lounge, the ability to move across tables and allowing communication.
Apart from Indian Colleges, international schools such as Florida International University and Rome Business School have also become patrons of the platform for conducting cultural summits, onboarding of students and advisory sessions.
