All over the world, there is an increasing attention on the role technology plays in preparing students for the 21st century.
Unlike the traditional method of learning which is more about the paper and pencil teacher centred approach, technology-induced learning not only motivates learning in students, but it also offers them the 21st century skills needed to remain competitive in a highly technological knowledge-based economy.
However, most teachers in this current dispensation have little or no knowledge about technology and so come across as averse to this new method of infusing technology into education, explaining why in many schools, the use of mobile devices which could help improve learning process is prohibited.
Although, there have been several interventions from both the Federal and State governments, particular in the use of technology, tablets, desktops and laptops among students, but these interventions cannot work effectively as long as attention is on just the students and not the teachers.
To this end, future teachers, and educators, in general, need professional development, not only in technological skills and applications but also in new academic methods of incorporating technology into the classroom.
At the forefront of promoting technology skills in the classroom is Intel Corporation. The blue chip company recently partnered with the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) on a 4-day training exercise tagged, “Intel Teacher Professional Development Training.”
The training exercise is part of Intel’s global Teach Program to improve effectiveness among teachers through professional development, by helping them integrate technology into their teaching, while promoting among the students, problem-solving, critical thinking and collaboration skills.
Speaking on the training, Shelly Shott, Global Education Specialist, Intel, who facilitated the training sessions, emphasised the need for a student-centred environment which according to her is a perfect environment to introduce technology.
Shott said that, “Intel believes that we have to educate our students for the 21st century. The old format of teaching does not necessarily support technology in the classroom, which is why we are advocating for a student-centered approach to learning.”
Being the first University of Education, the partnership with TASUED, will provide Intel with the opportunity to have a system in place whereby teachers year in year out are given technology skills before they graduate.
Additionally, Intel through the program has provided the school with its curriculum for teachers training which they can apply to both Pre-service and In-service teachers.
Speaking on the initiative, Babatunde Akinola, corporate affairs group manager, Intel, said, “The course we are running is Intel Teaching Portfolio of Courses and we have been training teachers around the world for the past 10 years. The company has invested over 1 billion in education and we still continue to do that. We see TASEUD as a strategic partner because their mandate is Education.”
Akinola added that, “Being a state government University and the first University of education in Nigeria with a mandate to train teachers for the economy, the training will definitely filter down.”
Noting that without the right skill set, the Nigerian child faces a global dis-enfranchisement, he explained that, “The world is getting more global and if you do not fit in, you face being dis-enfranchised. That is not what we want for our children; unfortunately we do not have the teachers with the right skills set to help them stay competitive.
