Open University to enhance English lit teaching skills via Mobitel’s mLearning

Saturday, 26 March 2011 00:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

There is a growing demand for teacher training programmes that are designed especially for teachers of English Literature.

Having identified the same, the Open University of Sri Lanka embarked on an endeavor to provide English teachers with training in teaching English literature through a course designed to amalgamate practical approaches for teaching the subject in schools along with exercises that will assist to enhance teacher competencies.

The course offered by the Open University will incorporate Mobitel’s innovative learning platform; mLearning, to enable training amongst teachers. Currently being utilised by the University of Colombo, and the University of Ruhuna for degree and development programmes, mLearning has grown immensely since its launch in 2008 to harness learning on a national level.

Commenting on the launch of the course, Vice Chancellor of the Open University of Sri Lanka Professor Upali Vidanapathirana said: “The English language plays a pivotal role imperative to the growth of our nation. We hope the course will assist to fill the need of English teachers amongst Colombo schools, and provide them with comprehensive training. Through the mLearning platform we hope to extend our reach to all those constrained by time.”

The event drew a cross section of 10 principals from leading Colombo Schools, who were invitees to the launch. The participants of the English Literature programme will receive a certificate of training at the end of a 12 week course, comprising of 24 comprehensive sessions on English literature. Commenting on the occasion Suren J. Amarasekera CEO of Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel stated: “English is a subject that needs continuous attention, for a country with proliferating development. With mLearning, we could now step out of the ordinary and transit from traditional to contemporary methods of education that will shape the future of our country and shift society towards a paradigm of change that promote knowledge sharing.”