Lydia Namatende-Sakwa – Kyambogo University, Uganda

APHRC Campus, Manga Close, Nairobi, Kenya

Elizabeth Opit – Kyambogo University, Uganda

Bashir Kishabale – Kyambogo University, Uganda

Email: cisabirye92@gmail.com

Abstract: This qualitative case study explored the practices of implementing collaborative learning in health tutor education in Uganda. Using a qualitative research approach and case study design, the study specifically examined the collaborative practices enacted by lecturers during lesson delivery at Health Tutors’ College Mulago. Following purposive sampling, data were collected through in-depth interviews with lecturers, focus group discussions with the students and non-participant observations of lessons conducted by the lecturers interviewed earlier. Data analysis involved thematic analysis using both deductive and inductive approaches, with the assistance of the Nvivo14 data analysis software. Regarding collaborative lesson delivery practices, the study revealed that lecturers used various strategies, such as co-teaching (team teaching), students’ group discussion and presentations, peer teaching, as the practices of collaborative lesson delivery. The study further illuminates a mismatch between knowledge and practice regarding the delivery of collaborative learning, whereby the lecturers’ self-reported practices of co-teaching as a collaborative lesson delivery strategy were evidently missing in the observed lessons. By illuminating the collaborative practices regarding lesson delivery at Health Tutors’ College Mulago and proposing actionable recommendations, this study makes a remarkable contribution to collaborative learning research, curriculum development and implementation in health tutor education in the Ugandan context. The study also recommends specific college-based feasible interventions such as trainingprogrammes for both lecturers and students to adopt and optimize collaborative lesson delivery practices to improve health tutor education in Uganda.