As plans near advanced stage for the implementation of blended learning in its academic activities, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, has organized a one-week intensive online training for its academic staff on the use of Learning Management System.
Declaring the training programme open, the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sunday Elom, noted that the training was geared towards building the capacities of academic staff to enable them be in tune with 21st century teaching methodologies, especially in the development and use of the Learning Management System for teaching.
AE-FUNAI VC, Prof. Sunday Elom

The capacity building programme was organized under the auspices of the Partnership Program for Enhanced and Blended Learning (PEBL), West Africa, which started in 2021; aimed at supporting partner-universities to build capacity through training and development of quality-assured, credit-bearing blended courses.
The Coordinator, Partnership for Enhanced and Blended Learning (PEBL) in the university, Prof. Dr. Johnny Ogunji, applauded the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Elom for approving the Expanded On-line Training for all academic staff on the use of university Moodle LMS for academic purposes, adding that the position of the university management on switching to Blended Learning mode was commendable.
He noted that 50% of the University’s academic staff have already been trained but there is need to train more, stating that over 344 staff registered for the On-line training held from 18th – 25th September, 2023.

While sharing her experience during the training, Dr. Maria Obiageli Nwodo, highlighted some challenges which may hinder the smooth operation of LMS Moodle to include: lack of stable internet, inadequate ICT personnel, lack of self-regulation and responsibility as well as learners not having basic digital literacy.

She opined that adding of real courses on the university’s LMS and sharing of instructional materials/ videos URL through You tube will encourage open communication, sharing of experiences and understanding of the Moodle better.

In the same vain, Nwaji Azubuike Raphael, while drawing a conclusive report of the training, stated that AE-FUNAI was among the 12 partner-Universities selected by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) to participate in the two-year capacity strengthening project PEBL WA PROJECT in 2021, adding that selected staff were trained and 11 staff of the university were successfully certified as facilitators hence, the need to train other staff, stressing that in all about 1,000 participants have been trained on the use of LMS.
He noted that the objective was to cascade the training and equip participants with capacity and skills to handle blended learning content development and creation of resources on LMS.
He further added that the training was a chain reaction as trained staff are expected to train others as well as provide technical support at the developmental level.
Highlights of the event was award of certificates to the participants who successfully completed the training programme and the tasks.