The Network of Teaching and Learning (TL_net) held its inaugural Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Conference on August 20 and 21st 2015, the largest AKU faculty development session involving all AKU entities in Pakistan and East Africa. The Conference, titled “Engaged Teaching for Engaged Learning”, brought together 130 AKU faculty members, in person and online, from Pakistan, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and the United Kingdom. In addition, 20 participants joined from AKDN institutions, includi
ng Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), Aga Khan Education Services (AKES), and the Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS). There were thirty papers and nineteen digital poster presentations focused on innovative pedagogies, teaching with technology, and assessment for learning.
Participants noted that the faculty development workshops were the most useful in terms of rethinking their teaching practice. Workshops were conducted on the following areas:
- The Ultimate Teaching Technology: Studen
"It was great to see how much rich discussion there was in many of the sessions."
Sheila Manji, Aga Khan Foundation Geneva
ts as Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Partners - Arshad Ahmad, McMaster University
- Changing the Culture of the Classroom - Janet Welch, University of Alberta
- Improving Assessment to Promote Learning - Jeff Tan, ISMC London
- Effective Teaching for Effective Learning - Zahraa Bhimji & Zaitoon Shivji, AKUH Karachi
- The Role of Contemporary Educators: Engaged Teaching for Engaged Learning in Virtual Learning Environments - Jacqueline Dias, SONAM Pakistan
- Facilitating Real Learning in Our Classrooms - Jane Rarieya & Tashmin Khamis, TL_net
- Faculty also greatly appreciated the keynote sessions by Professor Arshad Ahmed and Professor Janet Welch which focused on using the science and evidence behind effective teaching as well as the use of technology to promote better student engagement
Feedback from the Conference was exceptionally positive. Below are a few testimonials from participants:
“First of all, congratulations on planning and conducting a wonderful conference. It was good to see (at least for me first time in a conference – I have only observed this in ERC meetings) health and educational professionals working together. Thank you so much. Secondly, the workshop facilitated by both of you was wonderful. Thank you for engaging us in planning and implementing (instead of just telling us theory).” — Dr. Sadia Bhutta, Faculty IED, Pakistan
“I wanted to say all the sessions I attended were very stimulating. It was great to see how much rich discussion there was in many of the sessions.” — Sheila Manji, Aga Khan Foundation Geneva
This Conference has undoubtedly benchmarked Scholarship of Teaching and Learning at AKU. The Network of Teaching and Learning commits to support our faculty, and will be holding the next SoTL Conference in August 2017.
