The University of Technology, Jamaica is committed to providing a learner-centred learning environment that encourages learners’ direct involvement in the learning/teaching process.  Such involvement includes students’ working in groups (as communities of learners) and presenting their findings to their peers and to groups of professionals from their field of study; investigating problems in a learning group, and individual research.

To this end, since Academic Year 2000-01the OCDE has been conducting training seminars in student-centred learning for both staff and students upon request, and has also mounted a series of workshops in programme and syllabus design, testing and assessment strategies and team-based learning.  These workshops have been organised across the University; however, the Office also responds to special requests for coaching and mentoring.

TRAINING PHILOSOPHY OF THE OCDE

The Office of Curriculum Development & Evaluation employs a participatory training methodology in its workshops.  This training strategy is called Visualisation in Participatory Programming, (VIPP) and involves participants directly in the workshop activities.  The modelling experience provides participants with the experience of group learning and cooperative learning.