In 2023, Samuel Okoli, a middle school student preparing for his high school certificate exam, participated in a virtual field trip during his third semester break.
He did not physically meet with his teachers until after class. Questions were asked virtually and answers provided through the same channel. He used virtual textbooks and submitted assignments electronically.
“It was an exciting experience for a child,” said Dorothy Okoli, Samuel’s mother.
“This was smart, less stressful, and eliminated face-to-face contact, which tends to create unhealthy relationships that cause problems for both children and parents,” she said.
In 2024, Samuel sat the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and achieved an outstanding grade (AI) in four subjects and a ‘B’ grade in three subjects.
Similarly, Aloysius Nkume, a parent, shared his son’s experience using smart devices.
“My son had a speech delay problem. Teachers can’t always provide individual instruction in the classroom, so we gave him a smart device with an educational program. I was able to learn at a fast pace, and the benefits were immeasurable.”
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technology revolution
Education in Nigeria is undergoing a transformation, with dusty blackboards and cramped classrooms being replaced by digital whiteboards and virtual textbooks. Education is moving from blackboards to smartboards, and students are becoming accustomed to e-books.
Mr. Hassan Bala, Managing Director of Learn Africa, said the dynamism of technology in Nigeria’s education sector is improving reading and learning at a cost-effective rate.
“What has changed in educational settings is the mode of reading, not the reading itself. Reading has moved from paper books to e-books.
“Technology is becoming more cost-effective as the cost of paper has increased by more than 300%. Book prices have skyrocketed and parents’ purchasing power is limited,” he says.
Benefits of technology for education
The introduction of technology in education has changed teaching and learning, making education more accessible, efficient, and personalized.
Experts claim that digitization will bring immense benefits to students, including increased reading habits and better output.
Mr. Nubi Achebo, Director of Academic Planning at the Nigerian Institute of Technology, said digitized modes of learning have revolutionized education.
“Rapid advances in technology have made education more accessible, flexible and inclusive.
“Thanks to online classes and digital resources, students and teachers no longer need to be physically present to learn. This removes geographic barriers and allows students to access high-quality education. ” he said.
Teacher Chris Nmeribe said it was wrong to think that children were not reading just because they were not carrying books with them.
“Children still read books, but the clear fact is that the form and format has changed. Many students now want to learn with videos and pictures, not just text.
“Many students are reading intentionally, and it’s no longer the old school textbook way. They’re reading on their smartphones,” he said.
Spread of the Internet
The number of smartphone users in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is expected to grow to more than 140 million by 2025.
According to Statista, “Smartphone penetration in Nigeria is expected to reach approximately 60% by 2025.”
According to DataPortal, there were 103 million internet users in Nigeria at the beginning of 2024, with an internet penetration rate of 45.5%.
Nigeria had 36.75 million social media users as of January 2024, accounting for 16.2 percent of the total population. As of early 2024, there were approximately 205.4 million active mobile phone connections in Nigeria, representing 90.7 percent of the total population.
Digital computers first appeared in Nigeria in 1963. Meanwhile, the introduction of ICT in schools began in 2004 and was revised in 2010 to provide opportunities for secondary school students to develop their digital skills competency and become computer literate.
The proliferation of smartphones in Nigeria is predicated on the advent of mobile communications in 2011. This development enabled the widespread use of mobile phones and the Internet.
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Technology helps students with special needs
Victor Brown, special education needs and speech therapist, said digital platforms have made instructional resources more accessible and provided students with the opportunity to learn more.
“Students can now access interactive learning tools, textbooks, and other resources, learn at their own speed, and get immediate feedback,” he said.
Additionally, Brown said adaptive technology will allow students with special needs to more effectively engage with the curriculum.
“Digital learning provides flexibility for students because there are no time constraints.
“It provides an alternative in places where access to traditional schools is limited due to transportation issues or other infrastructure constraints,” he said.
Teachers need technical training
However, Mr Brown said that in contrast to regulated physical textbooks, digital resources may vary in accuracy and suitability to the Nigerian educational curriculum.
“Therefore, the transition to digitalization requires training of teachers as many teachers in Nigeria lack the digital expertise to facilitate digitalization,” he noted.
A familiar example is when Enugu State conducted a recruitment examination for school teachers. It was observed that the majority of teachers failed computer-based tests.
Friday Elhabor, Director of Media and Strategy at Markrenes Limited, said: “Unlike in the past, when access to books and information was limited by the amount of money, technology has bridged the digital divide between students in developed and less developed countries.
“Students now have access to the world with great smartphones and internet access. Medical students can now watch surgeries in progress live from the comfort of their rooms or classrooms. .”
assignment
Achebo, quoted earlier, said that despite the benefits of smart devices, Nigeria faces challenges in implementing digital learning as infrastructure is inadequate, digital literacy is limited and internet connectivity remains a challenge. He said he was facing it.
“To overcome these challenges, governments and educational institutions need to invest in digital infrastructure, teacher training and the development of online resources,” he said.
Also, Brown, quoted earlier, added, “While online learning is more flexible, it can be difficult for students to maintain attention without the established structure and social interaction of a classroom.” .
Charles Ogwo
Charles Ogwo, Head of Education Desk at BusinessDay Media, is an experienced and proactive journalist with over 10 years of reportage experience.
