KIU, Main Campus - Educational institutions have been advised to exploit the online mode of learning as much as possible to prepare for other challenges to come. This is because online learning has shifted the mode of teaching from the traditional classroom and face-to-face interaction to a virtual environment with positive results.

The former executive director of the Uganda Bureau of Standards (UNBS), Dr Ben Manyindo, said these institutions must now learn to seize the opportunity since online programmes are less costly, convenient and offer flexibility.

“With online education, you will be able to plan study time around the rest of your respective engagements and at your convenience. This has worked well for learners and institutions that were accredited for online learning,” Dr Manyindo said.

Many education institutions resorted to online learning following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 to try and keep learning ongoing.

For our part, Kampala International University (KIU) provided lecturers with the web-based Learning Management System (LMS) platform to interact with students and other staff members on a regular basis.

According to Associate Professor Ayodeji Awobamise, the platform allows lecturers to upload notes and interact with students, set questions, and even grade them. It allows students to continue learning even while at home.

"LMS is a very great platform. It was not improvised because of the pandemic but it was already in the works and we have done a series of trainings on E-learning. It even came in handy during the lockdown," he said.

Associate Professor Ayodeji also emphasised that all students ably access the online material through LMS because it is very easy to use and does not consume data. Students are also able to access study material using their mobile phones.

"It's an exciting opportunity for students to explore and with or without the virus, the students should always use the platform regularly," he said.

He advised students to stay strong throughout this period and take advantage of the LMS platform and study as school resumes staggeringly.