E-Business

Intel: Impacting Learning with Technology Via Teacher Education

Published

8 years ago

November 30, 2015

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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 centered 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, emphasized the need for a student-centered 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.

Moreso, 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.

“Yes, they might have the right content, but in terms of delivery, things have changed. Attention span for children has changed, reading method and culture have also changed. We have to meet the kids at their needs. What are the things they relate to? They relate to devices. So, we need to know how to use these devices both to teach and to promote learning.”

Commending Intel for the initiative, Dr. Niran Adetoro, director Academic Planning, Quality Assured and Research, Tai Solarin University of Education (TASEUD), said the training could not have come at a better time, given that the school is looking for exciting and innovative ways to help teachers and by extension the children learn better.

On the mode of implementation, Adetoro added noted that, “We will do a report to the University management and thereafter, we will want to step it down to teachers within the University that technology can be very useful in facilitating learning.

We intend to pass on the knowledge to teachers in the Secondary school and we are also going to do Pilot. We hope to do a lot of studies from this and ask for some funding from government and TETFUND. We will be doing this first and foremost with the Secondary schools and the schools around for the piloting.”

While noting that the management of the school is very committed to the program and would do everything within its power to pass on the knowledge learned from the exercise, he stressed that, “The level of commitment from the management team is very high, especially from the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluyemisi Obilade, who herself is a thoroughbred teacher that believes in innovative ways of impacting the profession.”

On his part, Dr. Yomi Okunowo, fellow, African Humanity Programme (AHP) and American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) noted that a lot of advocacy will be carried out to project the usefulness and possibilities that are open to employ technology into teaching and learning.

Okunowo stated that, “For us, we have been discussing how to go about making people to join the bandwagon from what we have gained from here. And we believe, beyond the university authority, there should be a survey of the technology we have in schools and conduct a survey of the professionals in the school.

The survey would address questions like, what do they know? What is it that they do not know? What are the facilities on ground? From what we see on ground, how then can we intervene and help to project the knowledge we have learnt from here?”

Describing the training as an eye opener, another participant, Dr. Kemi Banjoko, a senior lecturer in Chemistry remarked that, “The one that intrigued me more, had to do with the use of mobile phone and tablets in teaching. Though, we use them majorly for social networking, the training has opened up a world of new possibilities for me in using them to enhance learning and teaching. I learnt that you could even create a group for your students using mobile devices, where you discuss topics, post information, where you even post questions and get instant feedback.”

Aside training the teachers, there was also a 2-day workshop for Intel business partners. According to Intel, the training for business partners was strategic since they also fit into the chain of learning and teaching.

Akinola said that, “Because they are the ones that go out to deploy the feature solutions, we wanted them to understand that it is not just enough to deploy feature solutions, but they need to also focus on teachers and provide the right content for teachers for them to be comfortable.”

With more than 200,000 teachers trained in the last 10 years, Intel Teaching program in Nigeria has become the most successful of its kind and stakeholders within the industry express optimism that, Intel’s partnership with TASEUD would yield more results in the coming years.

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E-Business

FG to Fnalise National Intellectual Property Policy Soon– NCC Boss

Published

7 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Comms Week

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Dr John Asein, director-general, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), has said that the federal government is taking steps to finalise its National Intellectual Property (IP) Policy and Strategy for the country.

Asein disclosed this on Friday while commemorating the 2024 World Intellectual Property Day with the theme “IP and the SDGs: Building Our Common Future with Innovation and Creativity’’ in Abuja.

The that the Day is observed every April 26 to celebrate the importance of intellectual property (IP) rights to encourage innovation and creativity.

The director-general was represented by Mr Emeka Ogbonna, director of Legal.

NCC boss said the policy would serve as a blueprint for a more efficient modern and responsive legal and administrative framework for the country to leverage on its creative and innovative potential.

He said that the day underscored the power of innovation and creativity in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and shaping a sustainable and inclusive future for humanity.

According to him, the SDGs represent a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by the year 2030.

“IP rights play a pivotal role in fostering innovation, creativity, and technological advancements. They provide the framework that encourages men and women to develop new solutions that address global challenges.

“It is the lynchpin for incentivising the use of creative and innovative ideas to solve many of the challenges that confront humanity.

“This year’s World IP Day reminds us that intellectual property can be a powerful tool for social, economic, and environmental development.

“It encourages individuals, businesses, and governments to leverage IP rights to drive innovation, create jobs, and build resilient communities.

“By aligning our intellectual property policies and strategies with the objectives of the SDGs, we can accelerate their achievement,’’ NCC boss said.

He said in the spirit of the “Renewed Hope Agenda’’ of the present administration, government had also shown appreciable commitment to the creative industry as a major sector of the economy.

“As one of the agencies responsible for the wholesome development of the creative sector, the Nigerian Copyright Commission will continue to provide the needed institutional, legal and administrative support for the protection, promotion, regulation and enforcement of copyright.

“The commission will pay particular attention to using the copyright system to advance Goal 1 (No poverty); Goal 4 (Quality education); Goal 5 (Gender equality).

“And Goal 8 (Decent and economic growth); Goal 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure) and Goal 17 (Partnerships to achieve the goals).

“We are aware that the goals would have to be adapted to fit the peculiar needs of intellectual property which is an intangible asset.’ ’he added.

The director-general, who said that the commission focused on the 17 SDGs to address emerging challenges, called on authors, innovators, users, IP experts and other stakeholders to reflect on the vulnerability of the nation’s fragile knowledge and creative ecosystem.

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E-Business

NITDA, ICF Train 100 Schoolgirls in ICT Skills

Published

10 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Chike Onwuegbuchi

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Illmi Children’s Fund (ICF) have trained 100 schoolgirls in digital and Information and Communication Technology skills training.

Mrs. Maryam Augie-Abdulmumin, ICF Executive Director, confirmed this in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.

The graduation followed the training of the schoolgirls in ICF and NITDA’s DIGITGALS 2.0 programme, a collaborative initiative aimed to equip adolescent girls in Abuja with critical digital and ICT skills.

Augie-Abdukmumin said the DIGITGALS 2.0 centred around essential digital literacy, programming fundamentals, digital marketing and communication skills, and cybersecurity awareness.

She added that the girls were equipped with the confidence to compete and excel in a globalised digital economy. The graduation was in commemoration of the 2024 International Girls in ICT Day celebration on April 25.

DIGITGALS 2.0 is in its second phase and empowered 100 senior secondary school girls selected from five government schools in the Federal Capital Territory.

The girls aged between 15 and 18 years were equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive in the digital world and address the growing demand for ICT skills in the 21st century.

Augie-Abdulmumin reiterated the importance of bridging the digital gap in the country starting with the girl-child.

“This graduation ceremony on International Day of Girls in ICT is a powerful symbol of our commitment to closing the digital gender gap.

This programme made possible through our partnership with NITDA, and signifies a crucial step towards bridging the digital gender gap.

It also fostering a future where women are active leaders in the tech industry. This is also an opportunity for these girls to take charge of their own future,”.

Mr Kashifu Abdullahi, the Director-General of NITDA, commended the collaborative efforts of ICF in making the DIGITGALS 2.0 a reality.

According to him, building a diverse and inclusive digital workforce is critical for Nigeria’s success.

“We are proud to collaborate with ICF on DIGITGALS 2.0 to empower these young women to become active participants in the tech industry. This programme showcases the importance of collaborative efforts in bridging the digital gender gap.

These girls have been equipped with essential digital skills, and ICF and NITDA are confident they will become active contributors to Nigeria’s thriving tech landscape,”.

ICF is a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the lives of children, from underprivileged backgrounds, through education, healthcare, technology and entrepreneurship initiatives.

NITDA is a public service institution established in 2007. It functions as the ICT policy implementing arm of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy.

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E-Business

Confronting the Google Monolith: Survival Strategies for Online Businesses

Published

2 days ago

April 25, 2024

Comms Week

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By Reuben Kalu.

In the vast expanse of the digital realm, Google looms large, an omnipresent force shaping the way we navigate, search, and conduct business online.

From its humble beginnings as a search engine to its current status as a multifaceted tech behemoth, Google has entrenched itself deeply into the fabric of the internet.

Its influence is undeniable, its reach unparalleled, and its ubiquity seemingly inescapable. But can you truly run an online business without Google?

The answer, in today’s digital landscape, is a resounding no. You have no choice.

Google’s dominance extends across multiple facets of the online world, making it virtually impossible for businesses to thrive without engaging with its ecosystem.

From search engine optimization (SEO) to online advertising, email services to analytics, Google’s suite of products and services permeates every aspect of the online business landscape.

Attempting to operate without Google is akin to swimming against a relentless tide, fighting an uphill battle fraught with obstacles and limitations.

At the heart of Google’s influence lies its search engine, the gateway through which billions of internet users navigate the vast expanse of online content. .

Google’s search algorithms wield immense power, determining which websites rank prominently in search results and which languish in obscurity.

For businesses seeking to attract organic traffic and expand their online presence, optimizing for Google’s search algorithms is not merely advisable—it’s imperative.

But Google’s influence extends far beyond search. Consider Google Ads, the company’s advertising platform that enables businesses to reach targeted audiences through paid search, display, and video advertising.

With billions of searches conducted on Google each day, Google Ads provides unparalleled reach and visibility, allowing businesses to target potential customers with pinpoint accuracy.

Attempting to compete in the online advertising arena without leveraging Google Ads is akin to entering a battle unarmed—a futile endeavor destined for failure.

Moreover, Google’s suite of productivity tools, including Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Workspace, has become indispensable for businesses seeking to streamline their operations and enhance collaboration.

With seamless integration across devices and platforms, Google’s productivity tools offer unparalleled convenience and efficiency, empowering businesses to work smarter, not harder.

Attempting to eschew Google’s productivity suite in favor of alternative solutions is not only impractical but also unwise, depriving businesses of the tools they need to succeed in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.

Furthermore, Google Analytics stands as the gold standard for web analytics, providing businesses with invaluable insights into their online performance and audience behavior.

From tracking website traffic and user engagement to analyzing conversion metrics and customer demographics, Google Analytics offers a comprehensive toolkit for optimizing online marketing strategies and driving business growth.

Attempting to gauge online performance without leveraging Google Analytics is akin to flying blind, devoid of the critical data needed to make informed decisions and drive meaningful results.

But perhaps the most formidable aspect of Google’s influence lies in its role as a gatekeeper of information and access.

With billions of users relying on Google’s platforms and services each day, the company wields immense control over the flow of online traffic and the dissemination of information.

For businesses seeking to connect with customers and expand their reach, Google’s dominance presents both a tremendous opportunity and a formidable challenge.

Attempting to circumvent Google’s influence and establish an online presence independent of its ecosystem is a Herculean task, fraught with uncertainty and risk.

In essence, attempting to run an online business without engaging with Google is akin to swimming against a relentless tide, fighting an uphill battle fraught with obstacles and limitations.

While alternative platforms and solutions exist, none possess the ubiquity, reach, and influence of Google’s ecosystem.

To thrive in today’s digital landscape, businesses must embrace Google’s dominance and leverage its suite of products and services to their advantage. You have no choice.

In conclusion, Google’s pervasive influence permeates every aspect of the online business landscape, making it virtually impossible to escape its grasp.

From search engine optimization to online advertising, productivity tools to web analytics, Google’s ecosystem encompasses a vast array of products and services that have become indispensable for businesses seeking to succeed in the digital age.

While alternative solutions may exist, none possess the ubiquity, reach, and influence of Google’s ecosystem.

To thrive in today’s digital landscape, businesses must embrace Google’s dominance and leverage its suite of products and services to their advantage.

You have no choice.

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