The Nation Newspaper

Tag: e-learning

  • E-learning experts visit

    E-learning experts visit

    Another group of IBM experts have visited EKSU in relation to enhancing e-learning facilities of the university.

    The EKSU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oladipo Aina said the visit was relevant and in tandem with, the vision and mission of the University becoming an institution of repute.

    The group, made up of experts on e-school promised to study the strategic plan of the university, particularly, on ways to enhance a standard Distance Learning Programme.

    Members of the e-school group were: Laora Sharp from Canada, Peter Thompson from United States of America, Bianka Boguar from Hungary and Bhuvana Natarajan from India.

    Also present were: the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ekiti State on ICT, Mr Toyin Owolabi; a Director in the Ekiti State Ministry of Education, Mr Kayode Ogunyemi; a Deputy Director, Mr Sunday Babalotimo and Mr. Adesina Taiwo.

  • Lagos explores alternative energy for e-learning centres

    Lagos explores alternative energy for e-learning centres

    The Lagos State government is planning an alternative energy source to run the computer laboratories it is building for secondary schools in the state, its Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr Adebiyi Fatai Mabadeje, has said.

    He spoke in Lagos, saying the state government sees the need to encourage pupils to embrace technology at an early stage, adding that a smaller version of the magnificent e-Learning centre built by the government in Lagos would be built in all the secondary schools across the state.

    This is against the backdrop of the incessant power failure by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). He said using solar energy to power the computer labs would be a nice option going by global trend and reliability of using alternative energy source.

    “Fossil fuel is increasingly becoming unfashionable because of its impact on the ozone layer. In Germany, more than 50 per cent of the energy needs of the country is met through solar energy. We have the advantage in our part of the world. So, we are looking at all the options to power the e-learning centres that will be built in the schools across the state,” the commissioner said.

    To underscore the reliability of solar power, he said an office in Alausa Secretariat has been running on solar power in the last one year without hitches. “The office has been running perfectly on solar in the last one year or so. The only thing we do is to bring the solar panel down and clean the surface. It has been functioning. The only problem could be the initial cost of entry which may be high,” he said, adding that the cost will begin to fall after installation.

    He said the state government places high premium on Information Communication Technology (ICT) training as an integral part of education, thereby underscoring regular training of personnel of the state in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) beginning from basic to knowledge to engineering. He said the state trains 600 teachers yearly on ICT tree, an international standard training recognised globally.

    He added that the government through the Ministry of Science and Technology has an ICT vision to improve the quality of education in institutions of learning and improve access to information for various research activities.

    Speaking about the e-learning Centre, he said it was upgraded from the then Lagos City Library built in 1964 and embodies a state of the art ICT learning environment utilizing the latest electronic and digital technology.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • ‘Chatting can pay bills…if’

    ‘Chatting can pay bills…if’

    Chatting does not have to be an exercise a school leaver does to kill time. With training on how to use the social media to reach millions, CEO of Learn4Change Mr Sinari Bolade Daranijo said a person can earn an income as a marketer.

    But that is just one of the many opportunities Daranijo said are available in e-learning.

    Contrary to the belief that there are no jobs, Daranijo told The Nation in an interview that so many exist for persons with the right skills. He added that as technology changes the way the world does business, more people should embrace e-learning to gain skills relevant to the new opportunities that technology has brought up.

    “There are a lot of database jobs available. In Nigeria, we have one billion vacancies. We have new skills that are opening new opportunities for jobs that were not there before. These are jobs for young people. In India, 90 per cent of youths are online doing all kinds of ICT work because their environment provides limited opportunities. Nigeria is in the same helpless situation,” he said.

    Daranijo said the large number of youths unable to secure admission into tertiary institutions yearly can do online courses and earn internationally-recognised certificates that can get them paid employment or position them to start their own businesses.

    To this end, he said his firm has entered into a partnership with the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to offer online courses in International Computer Driving License (ICDL), Certified e-Commerce Consultancy, Project Management, Certified Internet Security and Web Design Foundation.

    Highlighting the job opportunities that can result from taking the programmes online, Daranijo said with the ICDL, which will acquaint the trainee with the use of the various software applications used by business organisations to manage files, databases, transact businesses, he can get administrative jobs. The two modules of the Certified e-Commerce Consultant will enable those trained to either specialise in internet marketing or running an online business.

    Given that more companies are seeking greater web presence, Daranijo said the certification in website design would provide opportunities for those with the skills to get jobs building websites for organisations; while anybody that learns about internet security has skills sought by banks, multinationals, governments and so many others to protect their businesses.

    Daranijo said the about 60,000 candidates that missed out of admissions of the university for the 2011/2012 academic session can apply for the programmes, which will run for three months, beginning from next month.

    Learn4Change is also partnering with the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), an arrangement under which students will be required to take online programmes that can give them an edge.

    “For YABATECH, we are trying to do stuff directly for the students so that in every department, there will be a programme students can take. For instance, a student studying engineering can do Project Management; one doing Business Administration, can do the Certified e-Commerce programme,” he said.

    For non-students or others seeking to change their careers, Daranijo said his firm is partnering organisations like eTC and Chams so their online centres can by used by these learners for tutorials and examinations.