Technology in Higher Education: Mr. Sheikh's Perspective!

In the ever-expanding world of AI chatbots, two names have increasingly stood out to me: ChatGPT and DeepSeek. As someone who’s regularly working on research, content creation, and even technical projects, I’ve spent a fair amount of time testing both platforms. And while both tools are impressive in their own right, I’ve found myself naturally gravitating towards DeepSeek. Here’s why. First Impressions: Polished vs. Purposeful When I first started using ChatGPT, I was genuinely impressed. It’s polished, smooth, and incredibly easy to get into. The interface is intuitive, and it’s great for general conversation or drafting basic content. But over time, I started noticing that it tends to lean into overly polished, sometimes overly generic responses; especially for tasks requiring deeper reasoning and original thought. DeepSeek, on the other hand, felt more raw at first but in a good way. It wasn’t trying too hard to impress. It just worked and worked with purpose. It surprised me...

For my microteaching in FM101 (Financial Mathematics), I wanted to do something a little different and more engaging. My topic is Loan Amortization Schedule and instead of giving every student the exact same question, I added a creative twist. I prepared one base question for the class, but with a small change: the last three digits of the loan amount will match the last three digits of each student's ID . This means that while everyone is working on the "same" problem, each student will actually end up with a slightly different loan amount  and therefore a unique solution. This small tweak brings a lot of benefits. It encourages students to think independently, apply the same method in a slightly different way, and it keeps them on their toes because they can’t just copy answers. It also promotes creativity, as no two solutions will be exactly the same. To take it a step further, I’ll be setting up a Discussion Forum on Moodle . Once students have worked through th...

Hey colleagues! Since we are all working in Higher Education Institutions, we must have noticed a shift toward digital learning and that includes eAssessments. Gone are the days when exams only meant pen, paper, and a nervous wait for results. Now, we’re seeing quizzes, interactive assignments, and even AI-powered feedback systems. What’s the Big Deal with eAssessment? Flexibility – Students can complete assessments anytime, anywhere (no more squeezing into exam halls!). Instant Feedback – Automated grading and real-time responses help learners improve faster. Diverse Formats – From reflective eJournals (like what I use in my nursing course) to multimedia projects, eAssessment encourages creativity. Reduced Bias – Rubrics and AI tools can make grading more consistent and fair. But It’s Not Perfect… Some argue that eAssessments lack the “human touch”or that tech issues can disrupt fairness. And yes, designing good e-assessments takes ef...

Imagine a world where high-quality educational materials are free, accessible, and customizable for every student and educator. That’s the promise of Open Educational Resources (OER). In higher education, OER are revolutionizing how we teach and learn, breaking down barriers like cost and accessibility while empowering educators to tailor resources to their students’ needs. OER include textbooks, videos, lecture notes, and interactive tools that are openly licensed, meaning anyone can use, adapt, and share them. For students, this means no more expensive textbooks or limited access to learning materials. For educators, it’s an opportunity to innovate, collaborate, and create more inclusive and engaging learning experiences. How I Plan to Use OER in My FM101 Financial Mathematics Course Teaching financial mathematics can be challenging, especially when students come with varying levels of math proficiency. That’s why I’m planning to incorporate OER into my FM101 course to enhance ...

 Hello Colleagues! I am here again with yet another interesting blog on Web 2.0 tools! I hope you have an enjoyable time reading it! As an educator and lifelong learner, I’ve always been fascinated by how technology transforms the way we teach, learn, and interact. Over the past decade, Web 2.0 tools have revolutionized higher education, creating opportunities for collaboration, engagement, and innovation that were unimaginable just a few years ago. In this blog, I want to explore the advantages of these tools and highlight some of the most impactful ones, including the ever-reliable Google Scholar. What Are Web 2.0 Tools? Web 2.0 tools are interactive, user-driven platforms that allow individuals to create, share, and collaborate online. Unlike static websites, these tools are dynamic, fostering two-way communication and enabling users to contribute content. In higher education, they’ve become indispensable for both students and educators, breaking down traditional barriers ...