Peter Sinyangwe, Zambia.

Working closely with the Ministry of General Education in Zambia, TESSA Zambia conducted a workshop for 41 Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) facilitators. The three day workshop was officially graced by the Director of Standards and Curriculum, Mr. Sunday Mwape, who represented the Permanent Secretary (Ministry of General Education-MOGE). Facilitators for the workshop came from The Open University (United Kingdom), and included Kris Stutchbury (Academic Director), Olivier Biard (Senior Project Manager) and Sandra Amos (Retired OU Lecturer, Consultant). The workshop was also attended by the Director, Teacher Education and Specialized Services, Mr. Muyamwa Kamutumwa and the Provincial Education Officer for Central Province.

The MOOC Facilitator Training workshop, was held from the 20^th – 22^nd September 2017, at the Misuku Lodge, Kabwe and was attended by 41 participants from all the twelve Colleges of Education, Provincial Resource Centres and MOGE officers. TESSA Ambassador, Zulu Charles William (DRCC in Petauke) also attended and has already established a WhatsApp Group of TESSA MOOC Facilitators. The active participation of a significant number of MOGE officers was greatly appreciated.

The aims of the works were to help participants to become familiar with the TESSA, to consider the implications of online learning, to understand the role of a MOOC facilitator, to make a plan to promote the MOOC in their institution or Provinces and to familiarise with the details around registration and weekly meetings.  The TESSA team also created a test version of the MOOC so participants were able to interact with and become familiar with the content, designed to support teacher educators in embracing active learning practices and learner-centred attitudes and values.

The MOOC has since been conducted in Zambia, running for 4 weeks from the 30^th October. The TESSA MOOC introduced teacher educators to the ideas behind the TESSA OER; to practical strategies for introducing ICT into classroom practice; and the opportunities afforded by OER in general and TESSA in particular. Through studying the MOOC teacher educators were better equipped to support teachers in teaching the Revised Zambian School Curriculum, and in particular skills and values. In June, the TESSA OER were mapped to the Zambian curriculum.

Following this workshop, the MOOC in Zambia has been successfully conducted, enabling about …… participants to complete the course. Zambia had the highest number of registered participants in Africa.

TESSA MOOC workshop at Kyambogo University, Uganda

Doris Kaije

The TESSA MOOC workshop at Kyambogo University was organized by George, David and Doris, as the three TESSA Ambassadors. The team were joined by Dr Jane Cullen from Open University UK, as the chief facilitator on 23^rd October 2017.

With her good facilitation skills, she was able to interest staff members the more to participate in the MOOC. Her coming changed some members’ perception; those who thought TESSA MOOC was a myth not a reality. In addition, Kyambogo University TESSA Team is indebted to Jane for her lucid sharing about what the TESSA MOOC is all about, as well as giving useful tips for successful registration and completion of the MOOC.

By the start of FutureLearn, registered members of the university and outside the university were quite expectant.

From the comments forwarded by the FutureLearn participants, there are members who have keenly continued with the MOOC, an indication of the interest sparked-off by the workshop of 23^rd October. Those that registered and dropped off along the course due to unavoidable circumstances reiterate to join the course again, next time it is offered. We remain hopeful and encouraging.

Bravo Jane, Kris, Oli and the entire team supporting TESSA MOOC.