The Department of Educational Communication and Technology was established in 1986 as one of the departments in the School of Education. Since its inception the department has grown over the years and the programmes offered by the department have increased resulting in high number of students. It is one of the oldest of the seven the departments in the school of Education.

Vision 
To be a leading dynamic center of excellence in the provision of customer-driven educational development, research, training programmes, and quality service to community.

Mission
The mission of the department is to mobilize resources to provide holistic skills in educational and instructional methodologies, by promoting professional leadership roles and provision of educational programmes and service to community through effective training, management and research.

Expansion of the Department
In recent years the department has introduced other new areas which are Special Education Methods, Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Methods, Counselling Psychology Methods and Film & Arts methods. The department is in the process of developing Islamic Religious Education Methods curriculum and PhD with course work programme.

Linkages

The department has established links with North Carolina Central University and Syracuse University in the USA in addition to Linneaus University – Sweden and South Africa Institute of Distance Education. Collaborative activities include research, organizing international conferences and seminars thereof. We have joint publications, scholar exchanges and sand-wich PhD programmes for Kenyatta University staff. The department has also benefited from resource materials donated by collaborating institutions.

Community Work

The department has been involved in carrying out community work. For example, in Kamanzi in Kangundo, primary school teachers on the effective methods of teaching various primary school subjects. Through the English Literacy Norms project sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation, about 40 disadvantaged primary schools were each provided with over 2000 books and resource materials. These were meant to assist teachers and learners to teach and learn English language, which is Kenya’s medium of instruction. Lastly many of the members of the department are also members of various primary and secondary school boards of governors, throughout the country.

Student Destination
Our students are mainly prepared to be secondary school teachers. Some have found the courses useful in non-educationsectors. Those with postgraduate degrees are hired by universities and educational sectors.

Chairpersons of the Department

The following chairpersons have headed the department of Educational Communication and Technology, since its inception as a department in the School of Education. 

  1. Mr.M.McDarmont-1972 - 1977
  2. Prof.Henry.O.Ayot-1977–1988
  3. Dr.Anne.Obura-1988–1990
  4. Prof.Peter.K.Mutunga-1990–1994
  5. Dr.NdichuGitau-1994–1999
  6. Dr.Wilson.K.Kerich-1999–2002
  7. Dr.NdichuGitau-2002–2004
  8. Dr.John.N.Maundu-2006–2007
  9. Dr.Samson.R.Ondigi-2007–2008
  10. Prof.Agnes W. Gathumbi - 2008 – 2011
  11. Dr.Mueni Kiio – 2012 – 2014
  12. Dr. S. Ndethiu – 2014 - Date

The department ac has the following subject panels for both under graduate, Masters and PhD programmes:-

  1. Social Science Education.
  2. Science Education.
  3. Language Education.
  4. Mathematics Education.
  5. Technology Education.
  6. Creative Art Education.

The department offers skills training to pre-service students. This is to develop student’s pedagogical knowledge with increasing focus on how to teach large classes, integrate ICT in Teaching and learning and support needs of diverse learners.

(a) Undergraduate programmers – Regular, School based and Digital School (DSVOL)

Course structure

– Communication skills (a unit done by all university students.)
- Instructional Methods.
- Educational Technology.
- Subject Methods.

Mode of study and duration
Full time and school based by lectures and project. The course is done in four (4) years.

Assessment
By Examination and Teaching practice supervision.

(b) Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)

Course structure
Sixteen (16) Education units plus project.

Mode of study and duration
By lectures and projects. The course is done in nine (9) months.

Assessment is by Examination and Teaching practice supervision.

(c) Diploma in Teacher Primary Education
Course structure
Twenty three (23) Education units.

 Mode of study and duration
Full time and school based by lectures. The course is done in two (2) years.

 Assessment is by Examination and Teaching practice supervision.

(d) MED – Regular and school based students.

Course structure 

Ten (10) units (4 departmental core units, 2 school core units, 2 panel core units, 2 teaching subjects and thesis.

Mode Study and Duration
By coursework and projects. The course is a two (2) year programme. Students have access to the departmental resource centre Library for reference.

Assessment
By Examination, proposal presentation and thesis.

(e) PhD – Self sponsored students

 No course work. Dissertation only.

Mode of study and duration
By developing a proposal and the course takes three (3) years.

Assessment
By proposal presentation at the department and final defense at the school of Graduate Studies.

The department has been able to organize four international conferences in education.

  1. Theme: “Language Policies in Developing Countries” was held in June 2006.
  2.  Theme was “Innovations in Education in the 21st Century” was held in July 2009
  3. Theme was, “Education and Societal Transformation”, the department in collaboration with Syracuse University- USA and Makerere University-Uganda organized an international conference on education from 20th to 22nd July 2011 hosted at Kenyatta University.
  4. The department was in collaboration with Syracuse University – USA held a conference on “Technology, Teaching and Learning: Theory and Practice” from 10th – 12th July 2013. All conferences were well attended and participation was high.
  5. Theme “Capacity Building for Quality Teacher Preparation” was held in July 13th – 17th 2015. 

Research and Publications

The department has taken cognizance of the critical role that Technology is playing in enhancing teaching and learning in the 21st century. A lot of interest has been focused in recent years on faulty professional development especially in the area of ICT integration in Teaching. A strategic linkage been Syracuse University (New York) and Kenyatta University has been greatly exploited to this advantage. Apart from several training workshops funded by USAID/HED through a partnership of project “Capacity Building for Quality Teacher Preparation” the department has provided a lap top for each teaching member of department. Other technological digital compatible equipment available in the department includes computers, LCD projectors, digital still/video cameras, iPads and an interactive smart board.
Another research project is the HP catalyst project; “Science and Mathematics Technology Initiative” that focused on equipping science teachers with skills of integrating Technology in the Teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics in secondary schools.

The department has highly qualified academic staff as out of a total of 33 members, 20 have Ph.Ds. There are five (5) professors, 7 senior lecturers, 18 lecturers and 3 tutorial fellows. There are also three (3) technical staff who assist students during media practical. Other supportive staff in the maintenance of cleanliness in the department.