PELLETH Y.THOMAS
CONTACT INFORMATION
- Postal Address: Box 70400, Gaborone, Botswana, Southern Africa.
- Tel: +267 3188 788 (Home) / 355 2922 (Work) / 7168 0472 (Mobile)
- Homepage: www.pythomas.com  
- Email: OR
   
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
- Experienced in designing, developing and delivering online teaching.
- 30 years experience in teaching Physics and computer fundamentals in face-to-face classrooms at secondary and tertiary levels
- 5 years experience in developing (both writing and editing) self instructional materials for distance learners
- Master's degrees in each of these three disciplines: Physics, Science Education & Educational Technology from three Universities in different continents
- Extensive background in facilitating education at different levels and with different models: Primary (in India & Sultanate of Oman), Secondary (Botswana, Nigeria & India), Tertiary (Botswana & India), Teacher Training (Pre-service & In-service, Botswana), distance education and blended learning (with elearning as a component for on-campus as well as off-campus students, Botswana)
-

Extensive research experience in the use of technology in education.

   
OBJECTIVE
To be a part of a dynamic organization that focuses on promoting innovative and effective methods to exploit the potential of Information & Communications Technologies (ICTs) to (i) improve teaching, learning and knowledge generation and (ii) develop a worldclass framework for improving access to and quality of education to people irrespective of their age and place of living through Open and Distance Learning (ODL)
   
WORK EXPERIENCE
2007- University of Botswana - Online Instructional Designer
- Educational Technology Unit, Centre for Academic Development
  
2001–2006, University of Botswana, Botswana - LECTURER + SCIENCE & MATHS COPYEDITOR
- Copyedited Science & Math learning materials for distance learners (using APA style)
- Taught Science/Physics at undergraduate level
  
1992–2001, Secondary School, Botswana - TEACHER OF PHYSICS
- Taught Physics & Computer Awareness courses at Senior secondary level for 5 years
- Taught Integrated Science at Junior Secondary level
  
1990–1992, Indian School Ibri, Sultanate of Oman - PRINCIPAL
- Led to manage and establish a Junior School of high standards
  
1977–1989, Secondary School Bauchi, Nigeria - TEACHER
- Taught Physics at Senior Secondary level
  
1975–1977, Cochin College Kerala, India - TEACHER
- Taught Physics at College level
   
EDUCATION
2001–2003, University of Southern Queensland, Australia.
- Master’s degree in Education Technology (MET, Online Mode)
   
1999–2001, University of Botswana, Botswana.
- Master’s degree in Science Education (MEd)
- Successfully Completed research and dissertation on the impact of computer-based teaching on secondary school students' performance in Physics
  
1973–1975, Kerala University, India
- Master’s degree in Physics (MSc)
  
2001-2002, University of Southern Queensland, Australia.
- Postgraduate Certificate in Online Education (PGCOE, Online Mode)
- Teaching Online: Strategies and Practices
  
1998-1999, NIIT Gaborone, Botswana.
- Honours Diploma (Hon Dip, Part-time student)
- Network-Centred Computing
   
2005, ICDL Foundations, South Africa.
- International Computer Driving License (ICDL)
- Computer Basics + Obtained license to administer ICDL Testing at the University of Botswana
   
RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS
- 9 Journal Articles;
- 5 Conference Proceedings;
- 10 Conference Presentations (includes 5 international, 4 Regional and 1 Local);
- 5 Articles in Conference Proceedings;
- 4 Book Chapters in 'Computing Fundamentals' for distance learners;
- 2 Book Chapters for Writers and Editors of distance learning materials;
- 5 Articles in Conference Proceedings; and
- 2 Dissertations.
   
INTERESTS
- Exploring the potential of computers as a tool for enhancing teaching and learning
- Did a few research projects to explore and implement the use of computers in teaching and learning, and presented the research outcomes in international conferences and also published them in some refereed journals.
   
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
Currently I am doing a doctoral level program on part-time basis with the University of South Africa (UNISA); the study is around developing a Hybrid Instructional Model for Tertiary Education