Ideas about technologically-mediated education and their practical application to modern education delivery took centre stage at the Maiden Webinar of the Centre for General Studies, University of Lagos, which held on Friday, February 23, 2024.
Two distinguished scholars from the University of Sussex, United Kingdom, were on hand to speak on the title, “Virtual Learning: A Panacea to Future Education”.
Head of the School of Education and Social Work, Professor Simon Thompson, gave the first presentation. He traced the historical evolution of education and its adoption of technology as a tool of delivery. He impressed upon the audience the need to embrace technology as a reality of modern life, but not to cede to it the power of humanity in education pedagogy.
“The reality of technological advancement is here with us. To some extent, educational technology (EdTech) is attempting to replace the human factor in education, as we can see in the availability of modules that a learner can take without having physical contact with an instructor. However, for a more successful education, the human touch of emotional intelligence, experienced on a human-to-human basis, will always be the best option”.
A Lecturer in Higher Education Pedagogy at the University of Sussex, Tab Betts, made the second presentation. He dwelt more on the practical side of the conversation by introducing participants to a number of technological tools they could leverage to deliver excellent virtual teaching and learning. Some of the tools include: Uptale, ElevenLabs, SwallowPoll, and Lumen5 among others.
Director of the Center for General Studies, Prof. A.O. Lawal-Are, expressed the gratitude of the University of Lagos to the two scholars who volunteered their time and knowledge. According to her, “this webinar is proof that we can leverage technology to deliver quality education. I have not met Tad Betts in person, but we had conversations online and we successfully pulled this off. The University of Lagos is thankful to you both.”
The well-attended event had in the virtual audience the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa; and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Lucian Chukwu among others.
The objective of the GST Webinar is to establish the values and advantages of virtual learning to the future education system.
REPORT: Isaiah Kumuyi
PHOTOGRAPH: Isaiah Kumuyi
