Maximizing the Benefits of e-learning in Nigeria

Back in school, there was a particular course that made use of technology—it never held in the classroom. I felt it was never going to work until the test date was announced. Why on earth would a lecturer teach that way? Were we going to learn properly?

However, over the years, I have gotten to observe other means of e-learning, where a physical meeting is not directly necessary as teaching and learning is achieved through the use of technology. This method makes use of electronic gadgets like the computer, phone and others to access educational curriculum outside of a normal classroom.

The teaching and learning process with the aim of impacting knowledge functions better in a favorable and conducive environment. Often times, we have noticed learning environments in this part of the world—in terms of physical classrooms—be filled with crowd hustling for seats to listen to the lecture of the day. This can be stressful, a problem that e-learning can solve. An individual can learn at the corner of the room with comfort with a chance to re-play and re-visit lectures.

Over the years, Nigerian schools have taken tech into the learning process. From the JAMB to Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations, the process is going digital (A niche pass.ng is utilizing to prepare students virtually for exams). Another popular example is the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

As oppose the normal setting of a formal school system, NOUN lectures do not take place in normal classrooms- exceptions inevitable though. A major feature of NOUN is its virtual learning platform—i-learn.

NOUN i-learn provides added benefits like

• Improved interaction between facilitators and students e.g. virtual classrooms with class discussion, course forms and “Ask a Question” functionality.
• Questions can be posted to fellow students and responses can be received immediately.
• First grade facilitation from NOUN lecturers will be obtained. No more third-party facilitator centers.

Also, with a growing population of mobile phone users in the country, learning through mobile phones is a revolutionary new type of edutech that can help people learn remotely. In a country like Nigeria with a low literacy rates and a big issue of children completing their education—whether due to poor school facilities, prevalence of child labour or poor infrastructure etc—learners can engage with all kinds of courses such as adult education courses, exam revision, diplomas, language qualifications and others.

There are a good number of learning platforms on the internet, a google search will give you an avalanche of options.

WHAT MORE?

Looking into future of e-learning, we will agree that as long as tech exists, the probability of its continual existence is high, not discarding evolution; on the long run, it will be more of learning-on-the-go

“In a scene from the movie ‘The Matrix’, Neo lied down in a high-tech dentist’s chair and straps on a wild array of electrodes, downloading a series of martial arts training program into his brain. Afterwards, he opens his eyes and speaks the words geeks have been quoting ever since: ‘I know kung Fu’”. This type of automatic learning might sound like a dystopian future for many but it is where we are heading.

No doubt, e-learning is a system with great possibilities for the future, how best can you explore this amazing resource?