Vice chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Prof Sunday Elom, has urged scholars in the field of education and other related disciplines to develop tools that would add value to both teaching and learning in this digital age.
Elom said developing such tools will help to counter the challenges that confront education in the 21st Century adding that emerging technologies in teaching and learning can revolutionise education in the country.
The vice chancellor made the call during the opening ceremony of the 3rd International Conference of the Faculty of Education of the institution, with the theme: “Emerging Technologies in the 21st Century Teaching and Learning” held at the Abubakar Adamu Rasheed Auditorium.
Elom who was represented by the deputy vice chancellor (Academic), Prof Romanus Ejiaga, said emerging technologies have the power to revolutionise education in developing countries like Nigeria by increasing access, quality, equity, and efficiency.
He said the overall goal is to enable more Innovative and engaging teaching methods and learning experiences, adding that the conference is actually coming at the right time when the university is in the process of incorporating blended learning in its academic activities.
“In the evolving landscape of education, institutions are urged to provide technological support that fit the needs of these diverse groups.
He stated that AE- FUNAI is adopting emerging technologies in its classrooms in order not to be left behind in this technological age, and admonished the teachers and students to embrace the emerging technologies and step up their digital competencies in order to fulfill the required needs of 21st century classrooms.
In her remarks, the dean, Faculty of Education, Dr Francisca Ogba said that the conference is exceptional on its standard as it was aimed at providing a platform for educators, researchers, administrators and other specialists in the field, within and beyond the shores of Nigeria to keep abreast with the changing landscape of education methodologies.
She said the conference also availed the participants the time to discuss the opportunities and challenges in teaching and learning in the 21st Century classrooms.
Ogba said the conference will also afford them the opportunity to explore the potentials of emerging technologies and their roles in enhancing access to quality education.
In his presentation, Professor Olugbenga Akindoju of the Department of Science and Technology Education, Lagos State University, enumerated the advantages of Electronic Learning to include; cost effectiveness , learners- dependent, quick update, boundless opportunities, good for large groups, constant deliver and quick accessibility.
Akindoju noted that embracing e-learning is the key in Educational Research and Development and encouraged students and lecturers to avail themselves of the different relevant online tools which include; teachers aid, e-curriculum amongst others.
He expressed regrets over the numerous challenges hindering e-learning which he said include, electricity, funding, attitudes, internet access, policies, digital literacy, skills of the lecturers and enabling environment.
