Learners Unit Load
· Full-time learners are expected to take a minimum of eighteen
(18) credit hours in a week, translating to six (6) units and a maximum of twenty-one (21) credit hours in a week, translating to eight (8) units in a semester. This category of learners are expected to regularly attend classes so to earn a certificate, diploma, or degree of Lukenya University.
· Part-time learners are expected to take a minimum of six (6) credit in a week, translating to two (2) units and a maximum of twelve (12) credit hours in a week, translating to 4 (four) units in a semester. They are expected to regularly attend classes so to earn a certificate, diploma, or degree of Lukenya University.
Online, Tutorial and Practical Learning Sessions
· A two (2) hour online session is equivalent to one (1) lecture hour.
· A two (2) hour tutorial session is equivalent to one (1) lecture hour.
· A three (3) hour practical session is equivalent to one (1) lecture hour.
Unit Online Learning Sessions
One 3 hour online learning session per week.
Fourteen 3 hour online learning sessions per semester.
Unit Tutorial Learning Sessions
There are two 2 hour tutorial sessions per semester.
Unit Practical Sessions
There are six 3 hour practical sessions per semester.
Semester Sessions
A full-time learner takes a minimum of 6 semesters and a maximum of 8 semester sessions.
A part-time learner takes a minimum of 12 semesters and a maximum of 24 semesters.
Duration
A full-time learner takes a minimum of three years and a maximum of four years.
A part-time learner takes a minimum of 6 years and a maximum of 12 years.
5. Award of a Bachelors’ Degree
Bachelor Degrees shall be awarded only to learners who have met all programme requirements including a minimum of 2016 contact hours.
The Bachelor degree award minimum number of unit requirement is 48 that are equivalent to 2,016 contact hours as depicted in table 1.
· Full-time learners are expected to take a minimum of eighteen
(18) credit hours in a week, translating to six (6) units and a maximum of twenty-one (21) credit hours in a week, translating to eight (8) units in a semester. This category of learners are expected to regularly attend classes so to earn a certificate, diploma, or degree of Lukenya University.
· Part-time learners are expected to take a minimum of six (6) credit in a week, translating to two (2) units and a maximum of twelve (12) credit hours in a week, translating to 4 (four) units in a semester. They are expected to regularly attend classes so to earn a certificate, diploma, or degree of Lukenya University.
Online, Tutorial and Practical Learning Sessions
· A two (2) hour online session is equivalent to one (1) lecture hour.
· A two (2) hour tutorial session is equivalent to one (1) lecture hour.
· A three (3) hour practical session is equivalent to one (1) lecture hour.
Unit Online Learning Sessions
One 3 hour online learning session per week.
Fourteen 3 hour online learning sessions per semester.
Unit Tutorial Learning Sessions
There are two 2 hour tutorial sessions per semester.
Unit Practical Sessions
There are six 3 hour practical sessions per semester.
Semester Sessions
A full-time learner takes a minimum of 6 semesters and a maximum of 8 semester sessions.
A part-time learner takes a minimum of 12 semesters and a maximum of 24 semesters.
Duration
A full-time learner takes a minimum of three years and a maximum of four years.
A part-time learner takes a minimum of 6 years and a maximum of 12 years.
5. Award of a Bachelors’ Degree
Bachelor Degrees shall be awarded only to learners who have met all programme requirements including a minimum of 2016 contact hours.
The Bachelor degree award minimum number of unit requirement is 48 that are equivalent to 2,016 contact hours as depicted in table 1.
Residential/Face to Face Session
A residential session shall accord learners opportunity to attend tutorials. This shall not exceed a third (1/3) of the unit desired, of which two thirds (2/3) must be virtually covered by the learners.
Two contact hours in a tutorial designed session is equivalent to one instructional hour.
Tutorial Support Services
Tutorial session shall be a period of tuition given to an individual or a small group on an account or explanation of a subject intended for online learning. Learners are required to have attended preceding topics virtually before participating in residential tutorials and face to face. This shall not exceed a third (1/3) of the unit desired, of which two thirds (2/3) must be virtually covered by the learners.
Assumptions
A tutor is not the primary source of information.
Individualized self-instruction materials are the primary source of information.
Objectives
To offer help to learners.
To offer opportunity for learners to interact.
To encourage learners to work independently.
To provide practical experience.
To form self-help groups
Activities
i) Learners are assisted to understand difficult concepts.
ii) Learners may participate in tasks in small groups or individually and share information during discussions
iii) Discussion problems.
iv) Analysis of case studies.
v) Demonstrations.
vi) Conduct practicals.
Organization and Procedures for online course delivery;
To ensure efficient online content delivery, the University has put in place the following policies and guidelines.
1. Accessibility: To ensure accessibility of online course materials, Lukenya University takes the following steps:
i. Use course authoring tools that allow for the creation of accessible materials, such as text descriptions for images and alt tags for links.
ii. Provide transcripts or captions for all audio and video content used in online courses.
iii. Ensure that all online course platforms used by the university are accessible to users with disabilities, such as by following Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 accessibility standards.
2. Technology Guidelines: Lukenya University has established the following technology guidelines for online course delivery:
i. Use a standardized learning management system (LMS) across all courses to ensure consistency for learners and faculty.
ii. Use video conferencing software that allows for easy collaboration and interaction between learners and faculty.
3. Course Design Standards: The design of online courses takes the following steps:
i. Provide clear and measurable learning objectives for each course.
ii. Use multimedia materials to enhance learning, such as videos, interactive simulations, and online quizzes.
iii. Provide opportunities for interaction and collaboration between learners and faculty through discussion forums, group projects, and other collaborative activities.
4. Learners Engagement: Lukenya University is committed to learners engagement in online courses, and has taken the following steps to ensure that our learners stay engaged throughout the course:
i. Set expectations for regular attendance and participation in online discussions and activities.
ii. Provide timely feedback to learners on their coursework to keep them engaged and motivated.
iii. Offer support services to help learners overcome challenges and stay engaged in their online courses.
5. Assessment and Evaluation: To ensure effective assessment and evaluation of learners learning in online courses, Lukenya University has taken the following steps:
i. Use a variety of assessment methods to measure learners learning, such as exams, essays, projects, and online quizzes. Where a tutor deems it necessary, learner-learner assessment be utilized through class presentations and group work/tasks.
ii. Provide timely feedback to learners on their coursework to help them improve their learning.
iii. Use data from assessments to continuously evaluate and improve course design and delivery.
6. Staff Development and Support: To ensure that faculty are well- equipped to deliver high-quality online courses, Lukenya University provide the following training and support:
i. Provide training on effective online teaching strategies, including how to use course authoring tools, manage online discussions, and deliver effective online lectures.
ii. Provide technical support to faculty members on the use of course platforms and tools.
iii. Offer opportunities for faculty to collaborate and share best practices with each other.
7. Academic Integrity: To ensure academic integrity in online courses, Lukenya University take the following steps:
i. Use plagiarism detection software to identify incidences of academic misconduct.
ii. Set clear expectations for citation and attribution of sources.
iii. Provide guidelines for academic conduct and consequences for violations of academic integrity policies.
Organization of the Courses within the LMS
Courses within the LMS are organized in accordance with the Standards and Guidelines for Academic Degree Programs and Standards and Guidelines for Universities 2014. Each course is in the form of modules which is divided into topics, and sub-topics in a hierarchical order. For each module the following are clearly outlined.
The Course duration
This is stated either as contact or credit hours with its span determined by the depth and width of the course.
ii. Course objectives:
Course objectives should describe what learners are expected to learn and achieve by the end of a course in terms of specific knowledge, skills, and abilities. These are written in a clear and measurable manner to help tutors design and deliver effective learning experiences. They are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
iii. Expected learning outcomes
These are statements that describe what learners are expected to know, understand, and be able to do by the end of the course based on the course objectives. They outline the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities that learners should have acquired.
iv. Course Prerequisites
These are the courses, skills, or knowledge that learners are required to have successfully completed before enrolling in a particular course. They ensure that learners have the necessary foundation to be successful in the course and to understand the material covered.
v. Delivery methodologies
These are various approaches, techniques, and strategies that instructors use to facilitate learners learning in a course. These methodologies include lectures, group discussions, case studies, problem-based learning, simulations, fieldwork, or online learning activities, among others and their choice depends on factors such as the course content, learners’ needs, course objectives, and available resources. These methodologies enhance learners’ engagement, promote critical thinking, and foster the development of key skills and competencies.
vi. Core texts and reference materials
Core texts and reference materials are relevant, authoritative, current, and available. The material are written in clear and concise manner easily understood by learners.
A residential session shall accord learners opportunity to attend tutorials. This shall not exceed a third (1/3) of the unit desired, of which two thirds (2/3) must be virtually covered by the learners.
Two contact hours in a tutorial designed session is equivalent to one instructional hour.
Tutorial Support Services
Tutorial session shall be a period of tuition given to an individual or a small group on an account or explanation of a subject intended for online learning. Learners are required to have attended preceding topics virtually before participating in residential tutorials and face to face. This shall not exceed a third (1/3) of the unit desired, of which two thirds (2/3) must be virtually covered by the learners.
Assumptions
A tutor is not the primary source of information.
Individualized self-instruction materials are the primary source of information.
Objectives
To offer help to learners.
To offer opportunity for learners to interact.
To encourage learners to work independently.
To provide practical experience.
To form self-help groups
Activities
i) Learners are assisted to understand difficult concepts.
ii) Learners may participate in tasks in small groups or individually and share information during discussions
iii) Discussion problems.
iv) Analysis of case studies.
v) Demonstrations.
vi) Conduct practicals.
Organization and Procedures for online course delivery;
To ensure efficient online content delivery, the University has put in place the following policies and guidelines.
1. Accessibility: To ensure accessibility of online course materials, Lukenya University takes the following steps:
i. Use course authoring tools that allow for the creation of accessible materials, such as text descriptions for images and alt tags for links.
ii. Provide transcripts or captions for all audio and video content used in online courses.
iii. Ensure that all online course platforms used by the university are accessible to users with disabilities, such as by following Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 accessibility standards.
2. Technology Guidelines: Lukenya University has established the following technology guidelines for online course delivery:
i. Use a standardized learning management system (LMS) across all courses to ensure consistency for learners and faculty.
ii. Use video conferencing software that allows for easy collaboration and interaction between learners and faculty.
3. Course Design Standards: The design of online courses takes the following steps:
i. Provide clear and measurable learning objectives for each course.
ii. Use multimedia materials to enhance learning, such as videos, interactive simulations, and online quizzes.
iii. Provide opportunities for interaction and collaboration between learners and faculty through discussion forums, group projects, and other collaborative activities.
4. Learners Engagement: Lukenya University is committed to learners engagement in online courses, and has taken the following steps to ensure that our learners stay engaged throughout the course:
i. Set expectations for regular attendance and participation in online discussions and activities.
ii. Provide timely feedback to learners on their coursework to keep them engaged and motivated.
iii. Offer support services to help learners overcome challenges and stay engaged in their online courses.
5. Assessment and Evaluation: To ensure effective assessment and evaluation of learners learning in online courses, Lukenya University has taken the following steps:
i. Use a variety of assessment methods to measure learners learning, such as exams, essays, projects, and online quizzes. Where a tutor deems it necessary, learner-learner assessment be utilized through class presentations and group work/tasks.
ii. Provide timely feedback to learners on their coursework to help them improve their learning.
iii. Use data from assessments to continuously evaluate and improve course design and delivery.
6. Staff Development and Support: To ensure that faculty are well- equipped to deliver high-quality online courses, Lukenya University provide the following training and support:
i. Provide training on effective online teaching strategies, including how to use course authoring tools, manage online discussions, and deliver effective online lectures.
ii. Provide technical support to faculty members on the use of course platforms and tools.
iii. Offer opportunities for faculty to collaborate and share best practices with each other.
7. Academic Integrity: To ensure academic integrity in online courses, Lukenya University take the following steps:
i. Use plagiarism detection software to identify incidences of academic misconduct.
ii. Set clear expectations for citation and attribution of sources.
iii. Provide guidelines for academic conduct and consequences for violations of academic integrity policies.
Organization of the Courses within the LMS
Courses within the LMS are organized in accordance with the Standards and Guidelines for Academic Degree Programs and Standards and Guidelines for Universities 2014. Each course is in the form of modules which is divided into topics, and sub-topics in a hierarchical order. For each module the following are clearly outlined.
The Course duration
This is stated either as contact or credit hours with its span determined by the depth and width of the course.
ii. Course objectives:
Course objectives should describe what learners are expected to learn and achieve by the end of a course in terms of specific knowledge, skills, and abilities. These are written in a clear and measurable manner to help tutors design and deliver effective learning experiences. They are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
iii. Expected learning outcomes
These are statements that describe what learners are expected to know, understand, and be able to do by the end of the course based on the course objectives. They outline the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities that learners should have acquired.
iv. Course Prerequisites
These are the courses, skills, or knowledge that learners are required to have successfully completed before enrolling in a particular course. They ensure that learners have the necessary foundation to be successful in the course and to understand the material covered.
v. Delivery methodologies
These are various approaches, techniques, and strategies that instructors use to facilitate learners learning in a course. These methodologies include lectures, group discussions, case studies, problem-based learning, simulations, fieldwork, or online learning activities, among others and their choice depends on factors such as the course content, learners’ needs, course objectives, and available resources. These methodologies enhance learners’ engagement, promote critical thinking, and foster the development of key skills and competencies.
vi. Core texts and reference materials
Core texts and reference materials are relevant, authoritative, current, and available. The material are written in clear and concise manner easily understood by learners.