From DELE OGUNYEMI, Ibadan
Nigerian Lecturers have been tasked to leverage on technological advancement of the 21st century for effective and innovative teaching.
The Registrar, Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Professor Olusegun Ajiboye stated this while presenting a keynote address at a one-day summit of the Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan.
Speaking on the topic “Effective Teaching, Innovation and Ethics in the Arts and Humanities”, Ajiboye urged Nigerian lecturers deploy modern technologies in reaching out to modern students to achieve better learning outcomes.
The TRCN boss who lamented the near absence of trust in lecturer-student relationship in Nigeria stated that such wide trust gap between the teacher and the students results in a negative impact on effective teaching and hinder innovation.
He therefore urged lecturers to “earn students’ trust early with mutual respect, a thriving classroom complete with active and engaging learning opportunities is ensured”
“due to the fast changing society through technological advancement, the 21st century teachers need to change along to ensure that effective and innovative teaching and learning takes place in our classroom. These can be achieved through effective Faculty/teacher-students interaction, applying innovative 21st century teaching strategies and employing appropriate students assessment tools. The 21st century students have as a point of call, when they need to know anything, it is the internet. They use technology to interact with their friends, colleagues and when they have serious learning to do. Modern students do not depend on single expert or opinion; they use modern technology and the internet to draw on many different influences. Teachers can leverage on the availability of the technological facilities to engage students both within and outside classroom for effective and innovative learning.