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Prof. Aseka, Prof. Wassermann, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wainaina, Executive Dean S.O.E.L.L, Prof. Ondigi and Chair, Comtech, Dr. Miheso during AHE International conference in collaboration with University of Pretoria
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Collaboration with Linneaus University
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Departmental Lecturers during AHE conference in collaboration with University of Pretoria
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Educational Communication and Technology

About Us

The Department of Educational Communication and Technology was established in 1986 as one of the departments in the then School of Education. This makes Comtech one of the oldest of the five departments in the School of Education & Lifelong Learning. Since its inception the department has grown over the years with expanded programmes and increased number of students.

The role of a Comtech department as a pedagogical entity in Kenyatta University through the school of education is multifaceted and plays a crucial part in ensuring the effectiveness and quality of education. The departments’ outputs include Curriculum Development, Pedagogical Research, Teacher Training and development, Educational Technology & Mainstreaming, Collaboration and related networking with others locally and globally in the [promotion of desirable educational standards and for quality assurance.

VISION
To be a leading dynamic center of excellence in the provision of customer-driven educational development, research, training programmes, and quality service to community.

MISSION
The mission of the department is to mobilize resources to provide holistic skills in educational and instructional methodologies, by promoting professional leadership roles and provision of educational programmes and service to community through effective training, management and research.

TEACHER TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

The Department provides training and professional development opportunities for educators. This includes workshops, seminars, and ongoing support to enhance teaching skills and keep educators updated with the latest teaching methodologies. The department has focused on intensive training opportunities through online seminars for individuals and groups. Participated in the development of the Modern Competencies for Academic (MOCAT) platform that was created by members of COMTECH alongside eight (8) European universities and is accessible online.

Student and staff mobility opportunities in the department has enhanced capacity and focus through funding from USAID- HED, DPU/ERASMUS+ NRF and Linnaeus Palmer. The department is open to new collaborations that are related to teacher training and development. The most recent collaboration has opened opportunities for expansion of understanding through targeted projects such as Association of History Education in Africa (AHE-Afrika) and African Languages Pedagogy and Development of Indigenous Languages, Africa Association for the International Congress of Mathematics Instructors- AFRICMA.  

Other modes of professional development include cohosting international conferences such as the AHE-Afrika Conference, seminars, webinars and workshops. The department is open to collaboration on grant proposal writing opportunities with other scholars locally and globally.  This effort has borne fruit when tis year, the Department won a Erasmus + Grant through a multinational proposal developed with 6 local and international partners:   “Inclusive and Innovative Digital Education for Migrant Community in Kenya and Somalia” (IIDEMIC)

https://www.ku.ac.ke/index.php/ku/item/2927-advancing-inclusive-and-innovative-digital-education-for-migrant-community-in-kenya-somalia-iidemic#:~:text=The%20Project%2C%20dubbed%20INCLUSIVE%20AND,to%20reflect%20integration%20of%2021st

EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION/MAINSTREAMING
Expectations that innovations can be leveraged or supported by incorporating ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) into the learning and teaching process are widespread. Such innovations are fundamentally changing students' learning experiences. COMTECH continues to explore and implement innovative educational technologies and tools to enhance teaching and learning experiences.
This involves the use of digital platforms, online resources, and learning management systems. The department has developed an app for use by visually handicapped students. Through technology students are enabled to use existing technology for classroom Innovation alters the pedagogical system, improving the teaching process and its results. COMTECH advances the thinking that,among the aims of innovation are increased motivation in teaching and educational activity, an increased volume of material studied per lesson, accelerated training, and more effective time management.
Through collaboration with others the MOCAT:- https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED567059.pdf platform was generated for academic teachers has helped to build capacity at individual level. The department continues to seek collaboration in Educational technology to select and develop technology that can be useful in promotion of classroom learning environment.
CHAIRPERSONS OF THE DEPARTMENT

The following chairpersons have headed the department of Educational Communication and Technology, since its inception as a department in the School of Education.  

  1. Mr. M. McDarmont                                  (1972 - 1977)
  2. Prof. Henry O. Ayot                                  (1977 - 1988)
  3. Dr. Anne Obura                                        (1988 - 1990)
  4. Prof. Peter K. Mutunga                            (1990 - 1994)
  5. Dr. Ndichu Gitau                                      (1994 - 1999)
  6. Dr. Wilson K. Kerich                                (1999 - 2002)
  7. Dr. Ndichu Gitau                                    (2002 - 2004)
  8. Dr. John N. Maundu                               (2004 - 2006)
  9. Dr. Samson R. Ondigi                             (2006 - 2007)
  10. Dr. Mundi Daniel                                    (2007 - 2008)
  11. Prof. Agnes W. Gathumbi                      (2008 - 2011) 
  12. Dr. Mueni Kiio                                        (2012 - 2014)
  13. Dr. Sophie Ndethiu                                (2014 - 2018)
  14. Dr. Adelheid Bwire                                 (2018 - 2022)
  15. Dr. Marguerite Miheso O’Connor          (2022 to date)       

 

Programmes

The department of Comtech offers education course for both undergraduates, postgraduate diplomas, masters and PhD programs. 

The department has the following subject panels for both under graduate, Post graduate diploma, Masters and PhD programmes:-

  1. Social Science Education. (CRE, History, Geography, Business)
  2. Science Education. (Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Agriculture)
  3. Language Education.(English, Kiswahili, French)
  4. Mathematics Education.
  5. Technology Education. (Educational Technology) 
  6. Creative Art Education. (Fine Art, Home Science, Physical Education, Music)

The department offers skills training to pre-service students. This is aims to develop student’s pedagogical knowledge with increasing focus on how to teach large classes, integrate ICT in Teaching and learning and support needs of diverse learners.

(a) UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES – REGULAR, CEP AND DIGITAL SCHOOL (VOL)
Program courses are offered through three modes of instruction.(1) Regular mode,  offers face to face instruction (2) CEP ;Continuous Education program mode  is blended and is for Part-time students and (3) DISVOL a fully online mode of study

Course structure for undergraduate level

  • Communication & Collaboration skills (a unit done by all university students.)
  • Contemporary pedagogies in Teacher education.
  • Introduction to instructional design and technology
  • Teaching practicum 1 (Job shadowing)
  • Media Practical and Peer teaching
  • Instructional research and Practice
  • Subject Methods ( for all school subjects)

Mode of study and duration
Full time and CEP and VOL by lectures and project. The course is done in four (4) years.

Assessment
Examination, project and Teaching practice supervision.


(b) POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN EDUCATION (PGDE)
Course structure
Sixteen (16) Education units plus project.

Mode of study and duration
Full time and school based by lectures. The course is done in two (2) years.

Assessment is by Examination, research projects and Teaching practice supervision.

 

(c) MED – REGULAR AND CEP STUDENTS
Course structure
Ten (10) units (4 departmental core units, 2 school core units, 2 panel core units, 2 teaching subjects
and thesis.

Mode Study and Duration
By coursework, projects and thesis writing. The course is a two (2) year programme. Students have
access to the departmental resource Centre Library for reference.

Assessment

Written examination, proposal presentation and Thesis defense at school of graduate studies


(D) PhD.
Mode of study and duration
 Dissertation Only

  • Supervised development of study proposal and dissertation. The course takes three (3) years.

Assessment
Proposal presentation at the department and final defense at the school of Graduate Studies.

Conferences

The department has been able to organize International Conferences in education:

  • Language Policies in Developing Countries” was held in June 2006.
  • Innovations in Education in the 21st Century” was held in July 2009
  • The department in collaboration with Syracuse University- USA and Makerere University-Uganda organized BI-annual international conference on education 2011 to 2015 hosted at Kenyatta University.   
        1. “Education and Societal Transformation “ ( 2011)”,
        2. “Technology, Teaching and Learning: Theory and Practice” (2013)
        3. “Capacity Building for Quality Teacher Preparation” 2015.
  • MOCAT conference “Modern Competencies of academic teachers: 27 th – 29 th January, 2020
  • AHE Afrika Conference History Education in Africa: “Politics, Policies and Practice” 2023

Research & Publications

Projects in the department continue to address how technology can be advanced for teacher education. The collaboration with Syracuse University (New York) and funding by USAID/HED for the project on “Capacity Building for Quality Teacher Preparation” enabled the department to jump start use of technology for classroom use. This support also enabled the department to build her capacity to identify useful technologies that spurred the entry of technology into teacher training.

The use of technology continues to thrive in the department with innovative ideas being researched on its potential and utility. The HP catalyst project; “Science and Mathematics Technology Initiative” that focused on equipping science teachers with skills of integrating Technology in the Teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics in secondary schools helped to demystify the use of technology in teaching science in the schools in the country. Technology is evolving and as more teacher friendly tools are developed, the department is able to share with teacher trainees. Global collaboration in the use of AI for teaching is on the cards for the department.

Together with others such as Linnaeus University Sweden and Dumlupinar University Turkey, student and staff mobility has been sustained as new mobilities destinations continue to be sought. Through mobilities, new programs have been initiated to respond to future work demands. Research in the department is high for both graduate students and staff leading to a high turnover of publications. This has been enhanced by the creation of a research chair in the department by the university.

Faculty Profiles

The department has highly qualified academic staff. The departments hosts a total of 27 faculty members of which 19 are PhD holders. Currently the department has 1 professor, 6 senior lecturers, 16 lecturers and 4 tutorial fellows.

 

 

External Examiners

The following are the current (2024) external examiners for the department. They are recruited to monitor the evaluation quality for each of the key study panel areas. Languages, Science& Mathematics and Social studies

  • Prof Beatrice Manyasi
  • Dr. Catherine Muhonja Aurah     
  • Dr. Juliet Njeri Muasya

Details

Chairperson

Dr. Miheso O'Connor
Chairperson, Department of Educational Communication and Technology

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