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Covid-19 forced the University of Ghana to adopt a blend of online and physical teaching and learning. Online learning came with many challenges for students and faculty. Every cloud has a silver lining. Online learning exposed students to Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) offered by many reputable universities and international organizations.
Dr. Daniel Appiah offered his undergraduate and graduate degree students the opportunity to complete either an online certificate course or a free audit course relevant to the topics on the course outlines. Students were encouraged to choose online courses they considered relevant for their career interests. Students who completed the courses automatically earned 30% of the Continuous Assessment (CA) marks. Students who lacked access to internet facilities to do the online courses were given various assignments or sit-in CA examinations.
Students completed the online courses on the Coursera and Edx online learning platforms. 219 students completed certificate courses with renowned institutions including the World Bank Group, International Monetary Fund, Harvard University, Stanford University, Princeton University, University of Rotterdam, and Duke University. Students who completed the free audit versions of courses numbered 402. The students were from the Regular campus, Accra City campus, Distance education programme, and the weekend programme.
Staff of the World Bank Group delivered a certificate program titled Unlocking Investment and Finance in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDEs) to 104 students at a cost of five dollars ($5) per student. Staff of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also delivered to 76 students a certificate course titled Public Financial Management at the cost of $25 per participant. Harvard University’s certificate course titled Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles which cost $199 was completed by three students.
Feedback from students and parents encourages Dr. Apppiah to continue with this innovative learning approach. This innovative approach to learning, and the exposure of students to knowledge from globally renowned organizations, will help the University of Ghana improve the quality of students produced. It is also hoped that the additional certificates gained by the students will give them a competitive advantage in their careers and the job market.