The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Computer

  • School introduces ‘LearnPad’ computer

    School introduces ‘LearnPad’ computer

    A school in Lagos, St. Saviours, Ebute Metta, has introduced an e-learning computer tablet called: ‘LearnPad’.

    The device, the school said, will make classroom exercises more effective, result-oriented, aid learning and ease teaching.

    It will also offer a whole new experience for pupils who until now, were used to conventional learning techniques.

    Wife of the Lagos State governor, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, said technology is already revolutionising teaching and learning in the state.

    She, however, assured that the state would buy into the school’s model.

    “I think it (Learnpad) should be replicated in our schools. The state would look inwards during the next budget to make provision for similar project to be replicated in public primary schools,” she said.

    Mrs Fashola, who described the technology as “a wonderful innovation” worthy of commendation, added that the government has always been supportive of laudable technological initiatives to enhance learning.

    She said the state has a robust plan for incorporating Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to be incorporated in all schools in the state.

    “We have about 200 schools that are ICT-compliant and we are developing them in phases. Each term, more schools are added. It is an ongoing process and cannot be done in a day,” she added.

    Chairman, Board of Management of the school, Mr. Tom Ogboi, said the introduction of the learning aid is in line with the vision of the founding fathers towards maintaining high standards for which the school is known, stressing that the school’s the academic records are “unbeatable”.

    According to him, what makes the technology unique is the inventors, who are educationists, have an understanding of what pupils and classroom requirements are before coming up with their design.

    Ogboi said:  “Most ICT devices developed by scientists do not have classroom environment requirement.

    “The tablet computer is a touch-sensitive technology that provides a safe and simple way to access a vast range of e-learning content, including applications, websites and flash-based activities, as well as videos, music, e-books, documents and other digital curriculum content, even as it is internet enabled.”

    The school’s headteacher Mrs. Alisa Griffiths, said the technology comes with many benefits such as access to elaborate or worldwide teaching resources, language laboratory, continuous updates in latest teaching and learning materials, e-library capability, link with interactive white boards in the classrooms, complete teacher classroom control and pupils monitoring and total inaccessibility to unauthorised sites, among others.

  • Kuje women trained in computer

    The FCT Administration is training women in the territory, especially women of Kuje Area Council, in different skills including computer literacy programme.

    The FCT Minister of State, Olajumoke Akinjide stated this while inaugurating the Women Development Centre in Kuje.

    The centre, which is a project under the social development secretariat of the FCT, will train women on different vocational skills and acquisition programmes. Some of these programmes are an ICT room for computer literacy and skills development, fashion designing and instruction room and hair dressing and demonstration component.

    Also included is catering and catering service facilities and jewelry making techniques.

    She assured them that the administration will do everything possible to support women in the FCT.

    She also infprmed the women that: “On August 15, women all over Nigeria will be honouring Mr President here in the Federal Capital Territory with a march led by the First Lady, Patience Jonathan. I urge women of Kuje to come out en masse and support the President.”

    The secretary, Social Development Secretariat, Blessing Onuh, in her speech explained that the project is one of the many women empowerment programmes embarked upon by the FCT Administration. They aim at breaking the cycle of poverty among women in Kuje Area Council and the whole of the FCT.

    She said: “We believe that with women taking advantage of these skill acquisition programmes, the impact will be visibly felt in their families as this will improve their socio-economic circumstances.”

    The leader of Market Women Association in the FCT, Blessing Sani, expressed her appreciation over the social development in the areas, even as she said that it is no small job in bringing up women.

  • School heads get computer training

    The need to prepare teachers for a future in which computers and other technological devices rather than the conventional teacher–to-student teaching method will prevail was the focus among school heads and owners at the Third Head of Schools Summit (HOSS) in Lagos.

    The event, which drew participants from within and outside Lagos, had as theme “Leadership that shapes the future.” It was organised by the Standard Mandate International (SMI), a human capacity development outfit.

    Its convener, Mr Nelson Ayodele said Standard Mandate International (SMI) projected into the future to guess how education would look like.

    “For example, there will be a time when children will no longer come to the classrooms with their bags or books but with their (computer) tablets and the teachers will come in with their own computers with a projector to teach.

    “A future where the school heads can become Chief Executive Officers (CEOs); not just a teacher as head of school but somebody that can manage and head the school to the point of profitability. We are talking of a future where the classrooms and school environment will look different; where parents will relate with the schools, pay fees and check students’ results in a different manner. Many people can’t see this future now that is why we are,” he said.

    Any leader that is not learning cannot justify his or her position.

    He noted that since school heads drive the school, the outfits then decided to bring them together on an yearly basis to talk to them on development, especially as it has to do with education, Information and Communication Technology (ITC), best management practices, human resource issues and dealing with parents.

    The Chairman of the occasion, Mrs Adenike Adamolekun, who is the proprietor, Supreme Education Foundation Schools, Magodo, Lagos said leadership is not ordering people around but carrying people along with you in establishing and running a system.

    She said: “Present day systems of administering school is not about wielding power, but mobilising people to face the challenges that require new habits, values, or that promotes new ways of doing old things, by inspiring people to do their work.

    “It is about defining a compelling vision while also allowing others to realise their vision, about putting right structures and processes in place so people can sharpen their skills and excel in their jobs,” she added.

    Another speaker, Mr LereBaale who spoke on Benchmarking, advised the school heads to visit other schools, see what makes them better than their’s and emulate them.

    Mr Kaoli Olusanya, Chief Learning Officer, Kith & Kin Educational Schools Ikorodu, Lagos spoke on Envisioning the future school: Educational inquiry approach, said education is not only important for acquiring facts or knowledge or skills to prepare oneself for making a living, but also about learning how to meet the challenges of one’s time-how to solve problems and adapt to new circumstances.

  • Computer Society seeks ICT Ministry

    Computer Society seeks ICT Ministry

    Despite the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Communications Technology by the Federal Government, the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS) has said the creation of an Information Technology Ministry is the only way the nation can fully optimise the huge potential in the IT industry.   Speaking on the sideline during the conferment of honoraray award on Jim Ovia, Chairman, Visafone Communications, in Lagos, Provost, College of Fellows, NCS, Oladimeji Ogunewe, insisted that since the core of information communication technology (ICT) is IT, it is imperative that the Federal Government take a second look at the creation of an IT ministry. This, he argued, would allow for the participation in the design and implementation of IT infrastructure.

    “The core of ICT is IT. So anything you do in the IT profession is computer. We believe in putting emphasis on the core knowledge usage of where IT comes from (which is) computing machinery. Most of what we do in IT now is training. We want to be part of adding value to IT and you can only get that when you are a core participant, part of the design of IT infrastructure.

    “I believe we can get there faster if we concentrate on IT, all other things will be added unto you but again some school of thought talks of convergence but it’s like six and half a dozen. No big issue but our preference is for us to concentrate on core (IT) as a condition for participating in ICT usage worldwide. It is when you begin designing and manufacturing of the infrastructure of IT that your value addition can be patronised by other companies,” he said.

    He lamented that because of the absence of an IT ministry, indigenous original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) were struggling to survive.

    “Even some of our senior colleagues who are manufacturing, there is a lot to get if government were to give total concentration to them to do what they are doing.

    “There are so many infrastructural tools that if you are chasing after as individuals, it will be hard to achieve but if government gives the enabling platform like IT parks and others, this will allow for concentration on adding value and not re-inventing the wheel,”he added.

     

     

  • Computer Society honours Imoke,Obasanjo, Ovia

    The Nigerian Computer Society, a body of over 10,000 computer professionals in the country, has conferred its Honorary Fellowship Award on Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State.

    Also honoured by the society at its just concluded Nigerian Information Technology Merit Award (NITMA) in Lagos were former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former managing director of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia.

    NCS President, Sir Demola Aladekomo, said on the occasion that the awards were in recognition of the exceptional achievements and services rendered by the recipients which have accelerated IT development in Nigeria.

    On the award conferred on Imoke, Aladekomo explained that the governor has been found worthy of the recognition for advancing technology development not only in his state, but also in the South-South region and nationally.

    According to him, through Imoke’s exceptional leadership Cross River State has implemented technology projects that have improved education, public service delivery and job creation.”

    Describing Imoke as “an apostle of innovation”, Aladekomo said the governor’s administration has invested massively in IT deployment and he is a public servant that has continually used his high visibility and influence as Senator and Governor to support and advance the cause of technology development in Nigeria.

    Imoke was also found deserving of the honour for being the engine behind the establishment of the world class knowledge cluster known as the Tinapa Knowledge City (TKC).

    “Furthermore, under his watch, Cross River state has aggressively supported and invested in the promotion of software development in Nigeria by single handedly hosting several National Software Conferences organised by the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), an NCS interest group.

    “Senator Liyel Imoke is a seasoned administrator, innovation champion and technology evangelist,” the NCS President said.

    Receiving the award on behalf of the governor, Special Adviser on ICT to Cross River State, Mr. Odo Effiong, expressed the governor’s appreciation for the recognition, stressing that the award would further encourage the state to continue to invest more in driving ICT development and innovation in the country.