The Directorate of NOUN Press, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), has hosted a 4-day training programme for instructional designers on improved course material to enable students have a pleasurable moment while studying at the university.

The workshop, which was the maiden training of the directorate, kick-started on Monday, March 4 -7, 2024 in Abuja and was aimed at effectively integrating technology into instructional design.

Declaring the workshop open, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Technology, Innovation and Research (DVC-TIR), Prof.  Godwin Akper, said the training was very imperative as a way of improving the university’s delivery system.

“It is the hope of management and senate of the university that after this workshop, the university would move several steps forward towards reviving or revolutionising its delivery system by making it at per with what is obtained in every other university that runs Open and Distance Learning (ODL) across the globe.

“The reason we will remain leader in ODL in West Africa, as we are supposed to be, is for us to catch up with what is happening globally, which birth the instructional designer cadre and has been incorporated into the scheme of service of the university waiting for the approval of the council for us to have it legalised and you have your professional promotion and cadre to follow,”he said.

He urged the participants to be aware of the task ahead as this is a paradigm shift from what they used to do before, to what they are expected to do now. “it’s a total movement from where you were without looking back, if we are to use the concept of conversion.”

The Vice-Chancellor commended the director for his professionalism and diligence in discharging his duties and promised that the management of the university is willing to provide its humanly and financial need as well as provide technical support when needed.

In his opening remarks, the Registrar, Mr. Oladipo Ajayi, represented by the Ag. Director, Human Resources, Dr. Muyiwa Akintola, urged the participants to put on their thinking caps as they were fortunate to be chosen among many that applied for the same job in the directorate.

He enjoined them to “take part in every assignment you are given, put your head on the training. Whatever you are being taught today will usher you to what you will do in the university in the next 15 or 20 years. I beg of you, make sure you are here, not here in absentia.”

In her closing remarks, the librarian, Dr. Angela Okpala, appreciated the VC and the management for their relentless efforts in ensuring that the course materials meet standard.

“I appreciate the VC who is always having interest of our course materials at heart and looking forward for innovative ways to improve the system.

She implored them to apply their heart all through the session of the training and make wise use of the opportunity as instructional designers in improving the study materials.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Director, NOUN Press, Dr. Olubiyi Adewale, said the training would enrich skills, broaden perspectives and ignite creativity of individuals and participants.

According to him, instructional design plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of education, particularly in the open and inclusive environment that NOUN champions.

“At NOUN, we believe in the power of knowledge to transcend boundaries and empower individuals from all walks of life. As instructional designers, you hold the key to unlocking potentials by designing learning pathways that are accessible, engaging and meaningful to learners across diverse backgrounds and contexts,” the director said.

He highlighted that by the end of the workshop, the participants will be able to discuss learning theories and their application to instructional design, demonstrate proficiency in conducting needs assessments to identify learning gaps and performance objectives, create clear and measurable learning objectives, select appropriate instructional strategies and delivery methods based on learning objectives and audience needs and design effective instructional materials.

Meanwhile, the participants were taken through some sessions with sub-themes by different resources persons such as: Introduction to Instructional Designs by Dr. Lukman Bello; Applying Learning Theories in Instructional Design by Prof. Olubiyi Adewale; Community Inquiry Model by Prof. Christine Ofulue; Curriculum Design and Sequencing by Prof. Juliet Inegbedion; Cognitive Processes in Learning by Felix Kayode Olakulehin, among others.

 Participants were also taken through some practical sessions and presentations to ascertain the level of their assimilation and participation.