A Professor of Educational Technology at the Lagos State University Ojo, Silas Eniola Egbowon is seeking establishment of of Educational Technology Centre in schools in Nigeria, where capacity building will be organized to enhance digital literacy among staff and students , to enhance teaching and learning in the country
The don who was delivering the recent 102nd inaugural lecture of the university titled,"Educational Technology:The Uninformed, The Missinformed And The Informed , said such Centre would also be used for orientation of newly employed staff and in-service training of those on the job
"In addition the centre will be used for developing of resources for learners with disability and ensuring accessibility to education through technology", he recommended
Prof Egbowon who listed the establishment of the centre as part of recommendations in his inaugural lecture to keep abreast with the development of technology to achieve the millennium goals in education sector, added that the establishment of the centre would ensure installation and maintenance of smart classrooms, interactive whiteboards and other teaching tools while offering assistance to lecturers in packaging on-line courses, organising and updating digital materials for ease of access amongst others
"The University should encourage every lecturer to undergo training in design, production, selection and utilisation of Instructional Materials to enrich their Instructional Delivery"
Students outside Education Faculty, he recommended , should be encouraged to take the course on Design, Production, Utilisation and Evaluation Materials co-ordinated by Educational Technology Unit in order to prepare them for the outside world where they would be involved in training job after their graduation.
The 102nd inaugural lecturer also recommended that every Faculty should be well equipped with materials for instructional delivery like PAS, Multimedia Projectors amongst others which according to him, should be co-ordinated by Educational Technology Experts.
"Broadcasting Outfits should be established at the Educational Technology Centre where students can receive live and recorded lectures".
The former Head of Department of Science and Technology Education, Faculty of Education in the union, equally recommended that LASU Radio programme should be expanded to include slots for Educational Broadcast to reduce class congestion.
"Lecturers should embrace the 4Cs (Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication and Collaboration) in their preparation"
"Experts in Educational Technology should be involved in the installation of teaching and learning facilities in the Lecture Halls during the construction of the Halls", he recommended in the inaugural lecture
The emerging technologies in the education sector according to him, have the potential to improve individual and organisational outcomes of educational institutions (administration, teaching, learning, research, and community service).
"These emerging technologies have provided greater access to quality education through a large amount of digital resources leading to an improved learning outcome and an enhanced learning experience"
Prof. Egbowon who had supervised five PhD candidates and over 90 undergraduates projects, identified security as a major in the online environment, particularly in the field of education, however said such security problem was being addressed with the use of block chain technology
"Block chain technology enables secured and transparent educational data and ensures easy tracking of academic credentials and achievements"
"Emerging technologies have provided limitless opportunities for educational access beyond the conventional school system through technology-enabled learning that allows learning in several educational settings (distance, face-to-face and hybrid education) for educational, instructional, social and organisational goals", he stated
He noted some of the notable technologies to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), saying with AI, Learning is personalised.
AI systems analyse student data to provide recommendations, adaptive assessments and customised learning paths. Learners can experience tutoring systems. AI-powered chatbots and virtual tutors can assist students with homework, provide feedback and answer questions in real time.
"Educators workload can be reduced by automating grading of quizzes, essays and other assessments"
Concluding the 102nd inaugural lecture, he described "Educational Technology" as a comprehensive, systematic approach that utilises both human and material resources to enhance instruction through a process of careful design, application and assessment
It focuses on constant improvement, where technology is not an end but a means to an end. It is eclectic, that is, it is applicable to all disciplines. It should be embraced and people should be informed about its importance in training and skill development. It does not throw people out of jobs, rather, it enhances their productivity on the job and save their precious time. It is cost-effective and interactive." he concluded
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