Don, Prof. Sanni Calls For Review Of Teachers' Training, Wants Focus On Pedagogical Content For More Effective Leaning

A Professor Of Mathematics Education at the Lagos State University, Rasheed Ishola Sanni has called for a review of teachers training in Nigeria, by improving not only content knowledge but also pedagogical content knowledge for more effective learning in classrooms 

The don from the Department of Science and Technology Education, Faculty of Education, made the call on Tuesday while delivering the university's116th Inaugural Lecture titled "Rethinking Mathematics Teaching Through Pedagogical Content Knowledge: Appropriate Application of the Contrast Between Listening to and Listening for"

Teacher with weak content knowledge  but strong pedagogical content knowledge according to him, is more able to mediate learning in class

The World Bank Education Consultant who has developed a number of  guidelines for training of Mathematics teachers, maintained that pedagogical content knowledge also shapes teachers’ content knowledge

"Pedagogical content knowledge also shapes teachers’ content knowledge. Students learn best in classes where the teachers have strong content knowledge and strong pedagogical content knowledge"

"Teacher with strong content knowledge but weak pedagogical content knowledge almost always tends to display their knowledge rather than focusing on students’ learning. The teacher with weak content knowledge but strong pedagogical content knowledge is more able to mediate learning in class "

"Thus, if we are to achieve the desired shift in teachers’ practices, there is a need to improve not only content knowledge but also pedagogical content knowledge", he submitted 

Prof. Sanni emphasized the need for the review of the training curriculum for teachers beyond the current curriculum in the university system for more effective teaching and learning to fit into 21st century education

"The illiterate of the twenty-first century is not one who cannot read and write but somebody who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn”. 

"Our teacher training process needs to be reviewed; we almost always tend to be satisfied with the status quo. Even when we notice that many other professions are beginning to train their would-be newcomers in situ, old timers in the teaching profession seem to be satisfied with the training of the would-be teachers within the four walls of a university lecture room"

The inaugural lecturer also cited the idea of demonstration mooted to address the concern in  training of teachers which according to him, has been embraced by some schools but not being effectively used 

"The idea of demonstration schools was mooted to address this concern and train teachers in situ. Even though the idea saw the light of day in some institutions, including LASU, with the LASU International school and the LASU Staff School, what are we doing with it?", he asked rhetorically 

Vice-Chancellor of the university Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello who chaired the inaugural lecture later discharged the inaugural lecture presenter for a well delivered paper