Learning Transitions in Studying Development: Design, Methodologies/Approaches, Tools in the Digital and Hybrid Platforms

Abstract

Post-pandemic realities paved the way for certain innovative learning approaches to address the risks associated with traditional educational settings, inefficiencies in mobility, limited access to facilities and resources, and vulnerability to disease of student and teaching population, among others. Learning interactions in digital space remain to be further explored, requiring adjustments in the design of courses, pedagogical approaches, methodologies, and tools employed. The adjustments were seen as imperative at all levels of education and across mainstream fields of studies but even more pronounced, in multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research study areas, such as Development Studies. Development research underwent learning transitions to retain its relevance as an important academic field. The combined online and in-site learning settings still have effective and efficient modalities of studying development, as argued in prevailing literature. This paper aims to find rationality in course design and structure, given the learners’ background and academic program tracks, as well as the teaching tools and instruments necessary in a combined learning modality. The challenge is how learners can be more engaged in discussions and provide participatory feedback. Another objective of this work is to provide documented experience of the issues and challenges in hybrid platforms as seen from the lens of development studies. Pedagogical approaches conform to the changes through case presentations that otherwise solicit lesser attention span and absorption. Teaching methods should complement the approaches by ensuring that the lessons from thematic discussions are reinforced through a learning synthesis. Synthesizing the discussions on development issues consolidates salient points that usually emerge from cross-cutting concerns that are characteristics of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary studies. Recent studies explored how innovation may translate into the creative use of tools and their application in digital space learning, from which institutions of higher education and government may draw lessons from.