A Solution to Strengthen Nigeria’s Education Standards is E-Learning

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Do you think that quality education is possible only with an instructor, a classroom and a few books? What about technology and new learning tools? What about the concept of social networking? Well, the majority of academic institutions in Nigeria were deprived of all these resources that made the country go through criticisms for decades. However, the rapid developments in the telecommunication industry helped the nation regain confidence in re-educating their students, and today, Nigeria has gathered over 4 million internet users.

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E-learning – an integral part of Nigerian education

Today, electronic learning has become an integral part of the Nigerian classrooms. Using diverse tools related to electronic media in education is indeed one of the brilliant innovations that has brought Nigeria students and working professionals a new ray of hope to complete higher studies with absolute flexibility. So, e-learning has brought a lot of alternatives for numerous academic institutions in Nigeria. For instance:

• ·        Learning processes enhanced by technology
• ·        Training through computers
• ·        Web-based training programmes for employees
• ·        Social networking
• ·        Collaboration of people worldwide

Owing to the initiation of online learning, the majority of new age learners today are finding the brick and mortar classrooms no more interesting and creative. As per Mr. Titi Omo-Ettu, the chairman of one of the technical sessions and former President, Association ofTelecoms Companies of Nigeria, it’s very important to have broadband internet access that would actually justify e-learning. He said it clearly that e-learning is futile without broadband access.

E-learning is an amazing innovation, agrees experts

Professor and former vice chancellor of University of Lagos, Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe said that e-learning has been such an amazing innovation that it has made the learning ambiance easier and flexible. In fact, this has been such an incredible learning mode that allows educational content to get delivered without depending on time and place.

According to another stakeholder, Mr. DayoOgunniyi, who also works as the Executive Chairman of Spectrum Books Limited, opined that e-learning has the potential to bring Nigeria out of all those issues popping out of their degraded educational system. Mr. Chris Uwaje, the President in the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria, has said it correctly, “E-Learning is very important but there is no standard. There should be standards to create lessons because IT can enhance knowledge.”  

A qualified teacher is essential for e-learners

However, what’s important for easy accessibility of online learning is having an efficient instructor who would play a key role in making students understand and thereafter access their lessons with ease and enthusiasm. “There cannot be e-Learning without e-Teachers”, said Dr. Steve Nwokeocha, Director, Professional Operations, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria. Unless students get a good and qualified instructor, they would never feel the urge to complete their lessons in time.

Besides, e-learning has given a lot of organisations a new and cost-effective technique to train employees. Employee training execution processes are usually expensive and this is where e-learning comes as a high scoring option for the employers. In fact, online education has experienced a boost in the last few years owing to the implementation of several e-learning tools.

A day is sure to come when e-learning would stand compulsory for not only employees in receiving quality training but the remote would find it an easier alternative to meet their career goals from any corner of the world they wish.  

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Latest Tools that Heighten the Effects of Learning

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Learning and teaching can be made much more enjoyable with the employment of the latest technologies in the process. And, in an age when in-person classrooms are mostly replaced by virtual learning environment, use of technological marvels has become somewhat essential to have the latest educational trends perfectly matched up with the modern ways of lifestyle.

This is the reason why more educational institutions are transforming their curriculum solely based on online learning opportunities. Because of the wide usage of smartphones, tablets, netbooks and similar mobile devices among young people, they prefer a learning process via digital technology, rather than sitting in front of their instructor and following a boring session of lecture.

There are many learning devices available these days, making education a new-generation affair. Let’s have a look at them.

Various Learning Management Systems

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With different variety of learning management systems like Blackboard, Haiku etc educators can design their assignments in more organised ways, and get to instant access to the learners profile. At the same time, students get the quickest and easiest way to share learning information, interact with their teachers as well as peers, and collaborate on their projects.

Features like peer instant messaging, Google Apps integration, Android and iOS compatibility, web conferencing, voice authoring etc are some of the most incredible in today’s student-centred Learning Management Systems.

Video Conferencing

According to modern educators, learning tools that combine both audio and video are the ‘ultimate means to encourage interaction and collaboration’. Using webcams, remote teaching sessions can be conducted, and far distant guest lecturers can be brought to address a classroom remotely. Through this technique many learning activities like virtual field trips, math panel contests can be conducted with ease, which otherwise are very time and effort-consuming processes.

Discussion Forums

A great learning tool that often comes with a learning management system, discussion forum is very effective way for students to have live interactions with their peers as well as teachers. Educators view this learning tool as a user-friendly as well as quick way to set up a public or private classroom discussion session. Various discussion on topical interest and activities on homework assignments can be taken shape with this magnificent tool.

Social Media Platforms

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Inclusion of different social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter etc into learning as well as teaching activities are already in vogue, and they show great potential to combine teachers and learners in a seamless progress of education. Through these platforms students can conduct a discussion process among their peers, as well as with their instructors.

Student Blogs

Blogs are perceived nowadays as an effective way of sharing one’s thoughts, feelings and expertise on a specific topic in a fast and easy-to-access way. This feature of blog gives it a great potentiality to address a collaborative classroom. Through individual as well as collaborative blogs such as Edublogs, Kidblogs etc, teachers, students as well as parents can constantly share news on learning developments and related activities.

These learning tools have been already taken as the effective learning components of modern education systems. Employed effectively, these tools can elevate education to a greater level.

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Online Learning – A Trend that Journeyed with New Innovations for Career Builders

Since classroom learning dominated for generations, the majority of students, educators and even employers had a belief that there cannot be any other reliable mode of obtaining education. But later when the World Wide Web started easing lives of people, the concept of online education popularised. Despite, a lot of critics had their brows raised in regard to the implementation of such courses into schools, colleges and universities. However, the factors that led people to take up online learning strategies were temperament and self-realisation.

From postal orders to BYOD

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Earlier, distance learning courses were conducted through postal orders and students used to receive their study materials on their personal addresses. Later, the major factor that made online education globally popular was the rapid growth in technology. With the launch of a wide range of digital learning tools, students realised the worth of choosing such a learning mode that can let them study at their own convenience and save a good deal of money.

Although the idea of using digital learning tools and apps for studies came later, there were those dial-up connections that used to be the initial source of connecting students to the virtual platforms. Even the blackboards today have been replaced with new electronic whiteboards that make online learners take more interest in their studies. In fact, the concept of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) learning is slowly grabbing attention of school and university administrators, and experts have even predicted that there will be a time when students would be entering classrooms with their own kindles and tablets instead of books.

As per recent reports:

In the United States, over 2 million undergraduates and 650,000 graduates were reported to be studying at distance

The majority of these students were found to be either over 20s or were balancing their professional and personal duties

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The fact that online education is growing in popularity with the passage of time has been proved with the worldwide acceptance of the Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Moreover, reports said that 6 universities were added to edX, one of the world’s renowned online learning platforms. As per the researchers, MOOCs have already created hype on a global basis and now they are aiming to enable students and working professionals obtain quality education.

As per the Online College Students 2012: Comprehensive Data on Demands and Preferences:

Around 14% of the students were found to enrol in full-time online courses for completing higher studies

31% of the students were found to enrol in at least one online course

Even countries in Africa are now making smarter moves in implementing online courses for remote students. Nigeria was recently declared to be the only African nation with the highest population of internet users and the Iranian government has also taken the initiative to get scholarship programme for the Nigerian students.

So, online education can be called a future resolution for new age learners who would be rather exposed to new opportunities and high career prospects. What we need to find out now are the new innovations and implementations that would give virtual learners a new set of expectations to meet their career goals with ease.

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Digital Education is Gaining Relevance even in African Nations

 

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In this digital era, it’s quite surprising to find many students still asking about the effectiveness of studying online. Where not less than 90% of the jobs today are demanding candidates with digital literacy, students and career professionals are getting more concerned towards taking up courses online.

Spending 5 to 6 hours for attending lectures in a brick and mortar classroom is turning out to be an ineffective option for new age learners. Probably, this is why a lot of online learning providers are now giving career aspirants the opportunity to complete higher studies with ease and convenience. Moreover, the Babson Survey Research Group has given a crystal clear report of the demand of online courses over the past years:

• More than 6.7 million students enrolled in various post secondary online courses in the year 2011

•  9 years ago in the year in 2002, only 1.6 million students enrolled online for completing higher studies

• In 9 years, about 5 million students were added, and this clearly indicated the growth of online learning

• In the year 2002, there were around 72% of online schools, and surprisingly, it went up to 87% in the year 2012.

African nations marching towards online education

Certain countries under the African continent have switched to the concept of studying online. For instance, Nigeria has shown massive developments in their education standards over the years. A country where the education standards were not up to the mark till a decade ago now takes pride in offering online courses and hence gives students the opportunity to enrol in accredited online colleges under UK university.

What it means is that the Nigerian students who had always craved for studying under world class universities will not have to travel overseas anymore and enrol in a full-time course under a university. Instead, being in Nigeria, they can enrol in any of the online colleges under an accredited UK university from any corner of the world in any course they wish.  

What other benefits can the Nigerian students enjoy by studying under UK universities?

Although there are numerous reasons behind the support provided by UK universities for students in Nigeria, getting better job opportunities is certainly one of the biggest advantages. In fact, plenty of undergraduate and postgraduate courses are now offered online to let students remain exposed to high job prospects. 

Well, here are a few more ways through which Nigerian students can enhance their career opportunities by enrolling in UK universities:

• Courses offered by the UK universities are absolutely flexible that makes it easier for students to work and study with ease. One can complete a course online taking his/her own pace.

• Students can choose their online courses as per their lifestyle and convenience. This is why they are able to sustain a balance between their personal and professional lives.

• UK university qualifications carry immense value and therefore help career enthusiasts maximise job prospects.

• Apart from students and working professionals, people of different ages coming from diverse cultural backgrounds can enrol in an online course under an accredited UK university.

So, you see how Nigeria has made it possible to bring students a new ray of hope and expectations in completing higher studies affordably and conveniently. In fact, online courses are now proving to be so lucrative that students are considering them to be the ideal source of strengthening career prospects. The enrolment percentage in accredited online colleges is going high and experts are therefore feeling confident to treat it as a future resolution for students as well as working professionals. Let’s see what more rewards it brings in the long-run.

Nigeria’s Future Looks Bright with the Developments it makes in Education

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Nigeria makes substantial ways towards a lofty development in the country’s education scenario. With the launching of a recent collaboration between NNPC and Chevron Nigerian education is targeted towards an eminent height of excellence.

The General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs of Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Deji Haastrup said that Chevron is committed to improving the quality of education in the country, and the

“joint Venture is committed to contributing towards improving the quality of education in Nigeria because education is important for the development of the country. Over the years, we have demonstrated commitment to qualitative education through investments in education infrastructure, sponsorship of manpower development programs and provision of scholarships. Our corporate belief is that education remains a veritable tool for personal and societal growth and sustainable development. We are pleased that our contributions to education are helping to improve the ability of Nigeria to develop quality manpower in different fields.”

Speaking on the National Chemistry Competition 2013 (Awokoya Memorial) he said, “the competition was initiated by the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture to promote the study of the subject among secondary school students of Delta State and in memory of Professor Stephen Awokoya, a great Chemist, who died on March 15, 1985. The intent is to use the competition to promote the teaching and learning of Chemistry in Nigeria. Consequently, every time we gather to recognize those who have excelled in the competition, we feel a sense of fulfillment because whereas, only a few students can be accommodated for this ceremony, hundreds of students turn in entries and are stimulated to take a deeper interest at the subject.”

Platforms for Online Education

 

Moving ahead, Ravensbourne College which is a world class higher education institution as well as an online platform in the United Kingdom makes its appearance as e-learning provider Ravensbourne College of Federal Republic of Nigeria, and forms a partnership with Courteville Business Solution, a technology-based business solution provider, to start an innovative online learning platform RELAY to propagate learning skills to young Nigerian entrepreneurs of Nigeria dealing with digital technologies. This online platform aims at equipping learners a merged knowledge of business and variety of artistic disciplines like interior decoration, fashion, post-production and web designing. 

Robin Baker, chief officer of Ravensbourne said,

"Our strategy is to develop an economical academic system for youngsters exploitation technology. RELAY online learning Platform provides cheap, versatile and innovative world category education to Nigeria and Anglophone African artistic abilities that are seeking to develop their technical data and skills.”

The ultimate aim of the project is to meet the needs of the Nigerian artistic business, and thereby impact the country’s economy in a positive way.

Intel Initiative

 

A newly-launched initiative by the global leader Intel called The Intel Explore and Learn Marketplace is also expected to provide substantial education solution through free and low-cost digital learning resources. This platform is designed for learners of all ages, and employs interactive learning materials such as instruction videos, e-books, examination papers and podcasts.

A lot of worthy developments taken place in Nigerian education sector through the collaboration of global educational giants announces the bright future of education Nigeria can expect to see. Global orientation in Nigerian education sector also guarantees Nigerian youth of successful career ahead.

Is Online Education A Savior to Nigerian Educational Problem?

Education, especially higher education, in Nigeria has suffered tremendously and the Nigerian youth has suffered along by being deprived of good college education. There are some very good colleges in Nigeria but the education system is highly affected by the political scenario of the country. Moreover, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) goes on strike frequently. This means that the teaching staff members are not present in the college to teach students. This poses to be a huge problem as education is neglected. Also, many students fail to attend college because of unstable economic conditions of the developing nation. The government also provides low funds to the colleges making higher education even more difficult in the country.

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However, students have now found an excellent way of earning college degree, online studies. Online degree courses will empower students with a college degree which is the key to a successful career. Online studies have various advantages that may just be the solution to the education problem in Nigeria. Here are the few benefits that make this mode of study so popular among students.

Reasons why online studies is preferred

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• The online degree courses are extremely flexible which means that the students do not have to change their work schedule for the sake of education. As the financial needs of many families are unstable, students start working as soon as they finish school. Therefore, many do not get the opportunity to attend college classes. This is where online degree courses save the day because of its flexible nature. The courses can be studied anytime, anywhere. You can study them after you get back from work or even before you leave for the day.


• The online degree courses are also less expensive than traditional college courses. Also, online courses help you save a great deal of money. As you study these courses from the comfort of your own home, you save lots of money on conveyance, lodging and even food. The tuition fees are also much less. Another advantage is that the study material is provided to you and you don’t have to spend money on books.


• Online degree courses also expose you to the world. You get to interact with people, who have taken up the same course, from various corners of the world. You get to know more about people from different communities and ethnicities. This kind of exposure is not possible in traditional colleges as people from only your vicinity or country study in it.

Nigerian students benefit highly from getting education the online way. They don’t have to worry about high tuition fees of a teaching staff that goes on strike ever so often. The students can interact with teachers and members of the staff anytime they want to clear doubts regarding the course. They can watch videos online that are explanatory and help them understand the study material very well. 

However, while choosing an online college, students must be very careful. They must see whether or not the college is accredited. If the college is not accredited, then the degree will hold no value at all in the job market. To make sure that they get good jobs, Nigerian students can complete their college degree through online education.

Employers Recognise Only Accredited Degrees

Online education these days is a boon to students who cannot afford to go to traditional colleges to earn college degrees. These courses are meant for students who live in educationally backward countries that are still developing and do not have colleges that support proper colleges and also for those who are physically unable to attend college due to a disability or because they work to support their family.

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Online study programmes these days are extremely popular among students because they are recognised worldwide these days even employers accept people with online degrees. Online distance education has many plus points and that is exactly why so many people around the world take them up to complete their education. Here are some of the reasons why.

They Help You Balance Your Life And Your Studies

Online degree programmes help you adjust your classes and fit them in beautifully in your jam-packed schedule. These courses help you balance your studies beautifully with your personal and professional life without making any compromises.

They Let You Study Anytime, Anywhere

Online degree programmes allow you to study anywhere you want, anytime you want provided you have a computer and a net connection. Therefore, now you do not have to take the pain of getting dressed and attending class. You can study on your couch or in your own study. You do not need to get dressed or waste money on commuting.

They Allow You More Choices

Online degree programmes these days allow you to study a variety of subjects which include

• Business,
• Finance
• Management
• Law
• Psychology
• Health
• Media
• Computing, etc.

 These programmes offer both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. They programmes offer courses that even traditional colleges might not offer.

They Allow Self-Paced Learning

If you are an independent lawyer and study well at your own pace, then online education is perfect for you. These courses do not rush and allow you to study your courses at your own time. Some people take more time to learn than others and therefore are unable to keep up with the class, with online education you get to study at your own time.

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However, make sure that you sign up for courses from accredited online colleges; otherwise your degree will be as good as a blank piece of paper. Employers only recognise accredited degrees and will offer you jobs on the basis of the legitimacy of your degree.