UDS organizes Training Workshop for Lecturers of Dambai College of Education

The University for Development Studies (UDS) has organized a one-day training workshop for the academic staff of Dambai College of Education. The workshop aimed to enhance the lecturers’ research and teaching capabilities. It featured sessions on action research, test item construction, portfolio assessment, and academic promotions, all designed to improve the overall quality of teaching and learning at the college.

Dr. Mrs. Benedicta Awusi Atiku, Principal of Dambai College of Education, underscored the critical role of academic institutions in addressing educational challenges in her welcome address. She encouraged staff to seize the opportunity to enhance their skills for the benefit of their students. Expert facilitators from UDS led the sessions, including Prof. Ibrahim Mohammed Gunu, Dean of the Faculty of Education at UDS; Dr. Simon Alhassan, Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Distance and Continuous Learning; Dr. Mohammed Zubello from the Department of Basic Education; and Madam Muniratu Braima, Junior Assistant Registrar.

The workshop was divided into three parts. The first part focused on practical skills and methodologies to improve academic delivery. Led by Dr. Mohammed Zubello, it emphasized action research as a method to solve local educational problems. Dr. Zubello explained how action research can help identify and address specific classroom issues using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. He provided participants with detailed steps for crafting effective research topics and designing comprehensive research studies.

The second session, facilitated by Dr. Simon Alhassan, explored the intricacies of test item construction. Dr. Alhassan emphasized the importance of clear and effective test design. He briefed participants on the stages of test construction, administration, scoring, and analysis, helping them create well-balanced test items and accurately assess student performance.

Dr. Zubello returned to lead the third session, which focused on portfolio assessment. He explained how portfolios, which compile a student’s work over time, serve as an essential tool for evaluating student progress. Various types of portfolios and their purposes were discussed, ensuring participants understood how to assess them based on clear criteria and student development.

The second part of the workshop focused on promotion issues for academic staff. Prof. Ibrahim Mohammed Gunu led this session, providing valuable insights into career advancement. He emphasized the importance of academic writing, publication, and research in securing promotions. The session also covered best practices for avoiding plagiarism and selecting appropriate journals for publication.

The one-day training workshop proved to be a vital resource for the academic staff of Dambai College of Education. It equipped them with essential tools and strategies for improving their research skills, test item construction, assessment methods, and knowledge of academic promotions. Through the collaborative efforts of UDS and Dambai College of Education, the workshop fostered a greater sense of professional development and academic excellence.

This capacity-building initiative is part of UDS’s ongoing commitment to improving educational standards across its affiliated Colleges of Education, ensuring lecturers are equipped with the necessary tools to foster a more engaging and effective learning environment.

Source: Graham Kofi Baldwin