This 3rd training workshop, addressed to teachers from the Jean Lorougnon Guédé University in Daloa and the Houphouët-Boigny National Polytechnic Institute in Yamoussoukro, took place at EPFL for two weeks. This was the opportunity to carry out the first tests of course recordings. Five disciplinary themes were selected in the context of this Ivorian project: Algorithms (algorithmique), Mapping and Sustainable Water Management (cartographie et gestion durable de l’eau), Flood Risk Management (gestion des risques d’inondations), Discovery of the Periodic Table and Linear Programming 1 (à la découverte du tableau périodique et programmation linéaire 1).
An ambitious training programme was prepared by Yuri Changkakoti, Project Manager Collaborative MOOCs, and Désiré Feugueng, Educational Engineer from ENSP Yaoundé and MOOCs for Development consultant. The training focused on two priority areas. On the one hand, to support teachers in an personalized way with the review of the course content, their planning and progress, and on the other hand, to offer studio training (video recording techniques), provided by experienced technicians from EPFL’s CEDE (Center for Digital Education).
The training also addressed the issue of the use of ad hoc formats and media for content production as well as posture and speaking in front of the camera. This traineeship at EPFL allowed the guests to meet EPFL teachers, related to their field of research, who have themselves carried out a MOOC and can thus share their experiences with their African counterparts. They also benefited from the expertise of EPFL’s CAPE (Teaching Support Centre), which offers a wide range of services for all stakeholders in education. For instance, they were able to discuss the principles of the flipped-classroom, the QCM's and the new pedagogies specific to digital education.
Interview with Dr Brice KEDI, professor-researcher at UJLoG, UFR Environment, Chemistry Department, Project Leader of the MOOC "A la découverte du tableau périodique": "Our training at EPFL focuses mainly on video recording. For this exercise, my colleagues Séka KOUASSI, Jérémie KOUA and myself had to prepare the basic scenario and the first two weeks of classes of our MOOC. We learn to structure our presentations and enhance them with, for example, links to online resources, articles or videos to illustrate and animate the various sequences. The presentation by Ilya Eigenbrot, CAPE Teaching Advisor, on the principles of the reverse class was particularly interesting to me. I don't practice it yet, but I could gradually integrate it into my teaching. To participate in this training, I also had to prepare myself by working on my posture and posing my voice. During my first recordings in the EPFL studios, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the supervision of the CEDE's experienced technicians. They very quickly made me feel comfortable, which helped to close the sessions quickly. The next steps for my group are to produce the complete structure of the course and the division of tasks for each one, so that we can start production as soon as we return home in one of the recording studios in Abidjan and Yamoussoukro. Finally, I would like to thank EPFL in particular for the expert coaching I have been offered and, above all, for discovering the new pedagogies that digital educational technology allows." Interview with Dr Arthur Brice KONAN-WAIDHET, professor-researcher at UJLoG, UFR Environment, Earth Sciences Department, Project Leader of the MOOC "Cartographie et gestion durable de l’eau":"This is my second experience at EPFL. During the first, I participated in a four-day immersion where I was then in charge of a distance learning course "GIS, A Tool for Sustainable Development" that is now online on the UVCI platform. With that prior experience, I am returning today with my colleagues Brou DIBI and Stanislas ASOHOUN, who are leading a more ambitious MOOC project. The MOOC we are preparing will provide learners with mapping tools for better water resource management. The preparation of this course, which started in January, allowed us to participate in the two previous workshops in Daloa and Yamoussoukro. Currently, we are entering a phase of content structuring. Our skeleton is ready. We will tour, with my colleagues Dibi in the studios of Côte d'Ivoire and my colleague Stanistlas will be in charge of sequencing and implementing MOOC on the platform after the content has been finalized. Our objective is to have the MOOC online by the end of December. I am also looking forward to meeting and exchanging with my peers, Stéphane Jost and Marc Soutter, creators of the MOOC SIG at EPFL." Interview with Dr Hervé KOUASSI, professor-researcher at UJLoG, UFR Environment, Earth Sciences Department, Project Leader of the MOOC "Gestion des risques d’inondation" associated with Zilé Alex KOUADIO and Jules MANGOUA OI: "As soon as I arrived at EPFL, I saw all my expectations fulfilled. Thanks to an efficient supervision provided by the organisers, we receive answers to all our questions related to the creation of our MOOC, both for the structuring and technical aspects. With each workshop organised within the framework of this project, new concepts are discussed, which allow us to move forward in our project. Like all my colleagues present, I am seduced by the reverse class and all the added value it offers. I will actively implement it in my teaching. I look forward to my learners being able to view our MOOC, having more time to work collaboratively with them and receive their feedback. I see myself as a new MOOC ambassador in my institution and want to convince other teachers to enter this new way of teaching and learning." As part of this expertise mandate, EPFL is committed to regularly monitoring project teams on an customized, remote and face-to-face basis, as two more workshops are planned this year in Côte d'Ivoire during the MOOC development period.
The MOOCs created will be distributed on the UVCI platform, thus allowing the entire university community in Côte d'Ivoire to have access to this content.
