The University for Development Studies (UDS) recently organized a one-day training workshop for the Academic Staff of Dambai College of Education. Held on Friday, February 28, 2025, at the Mathematics and ICT Laboratory of the College, the workshop aimed at enhancing the Academic Staff’s research and teaching capabilities. The event included sessions on action research, test item construction, portfolio assessment, and promotions, all designed to improve the overall quality of Teaching and Learning in the College.
The workshop commenced with a welcome address by Dr. (Mrs.) Benedicta Awusi Atiku, Principal of Dambai College of Education. In her address, Dr. Atiku underscored the critical role of academic institutions in addressing educational challenges. She encouraged staff to seize the opportunity to enhance their skills and better support their students.
Dr. Atiku introduced expert facilitators from UDS, who led the sessions for the day. They were:
Prof. Ibrahim Mohammed Gunu, Dean of Faculty of Education, UDS.
Dr. Simon Alhassan, Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Distance and Continuous Learning.
Dr. Mohammed Zubello, Department of Basic Education.
Madam Muniratu Braima, Junior Assistant Registrar
Part one of the workshop was focused on practical skills and methodologies aimed at improving academic delivery.
The first session of part one, led by Dr. Mohammed Zubello, focused on Action Research as a method to solve local educational problems. Dr. Zubello explained how action research can help identify and address specific issues in the classroom, offering both qualitative and quantitative approaches. He provided participants with detailed steps in crafting effective research topics and designing comprehensive research studies.
The second session, facilitated by Dr. Simon Alhassan, explored the intricacies of test item construction. Dr. Alhassan emphasized the importance of clear and effective test design. He briefed participants on the stages of test construction, administration, scoring, and analysis. Participants learned how to create well-balanced test items and how to assess student performance accurately.
The third session, again led by Dr. Zubello, focused on portfolio assessment. He explained how portfolios, which compile a student’s work over time, can serve as an important tool for evaluating student progress. Dr. Zubello highlighted various types of portfolios and discussed their purpose, ensuring participants understood how to assess portfolios based on clear criteria and student development.
The second part of the workshop focused on promotion issues for academic staff. This session was facilitated by Prof. Ibrahim Mohammed Gunu, Dean of the Faculty of Education at UDS. Prof. Gunu provided valuable insights on career advancement, emphasizing the importance of academic writing, publication, and research in securing promotions. The session also covered best practices for avoiding plagiarism and selecting appropriate journals for publication.
The one-day training workshop, proved to be a vital resource for the academic staff of Dambai College of Education. It provided them with essential tools and strategies for improving their research skills, test item construction, assessment methods, and knowledge of academic promotions. Through the collaborative efforts of UDS and Dambai College of Education, the workshop fostered a greater sense of professional development and academic excellence.
This capacity-building initiative is part of UDS’s ongoing commitment to improving educational standards across her affiliated Colleges of Education, ensuring Lecturers are equipped with the necessary tools to foster a more engaging and effective learning environment.
Source: DACE Editorial Board
