Lagos State Primary Schools authorities have adopted Nokia a
set of mobile phones for the use of its teachers in about 31 schools, under a
joint project called ‘BridgeIT.’
This, would aid the teachers in receiving digital
educational programming through videos, pictures, text and audio files over
mobile technology.
Head of Communications, Nokia West Africa, Mr. Osagie
Ogunbor confirmed this to ITRealms Online saying that teachers in 31 schools
could now use mobile technology to deliver rich media content to students in
their classrooms.
These schools, he said, are part of a pre-pilot programme
that would grow to more grade levels and subject areas over the next two years.
“Thanks to an initiative by Nokia, the Pearson Foundation,
Bharti Airtel and the Lagos state government through the State Universal Basic
Education Board (SUBEB),” he said, noting that the programme combines
technology with teacher training to deliver results.
BridgeIT, he said, leverages familiar mobile devices and
existing wireless technologies to deliver educational programmes to teachers
and students who otherwise would not have access to these materials.
“As a result, teachers receive digital educational
programming; videos, pictures, text, and audio files over mobile technology
already in use in their community, and are empowered to share these materials
with students in ways that improve student learning,” Ogunbor said.
He also said that after viewing educational content,
students participate in interactive lessons facilitated by teachers who have
benefited from professional development workshops that promote collaboration
and the use of mobile technology in the classroom.
The implementation of the programme, he explained, starts
this academic session in schools drawn mostly from suburban parts of Lagos.
“Sixty-two basic-five level teachers, two from each
participating schools, have been trained to integrate the programme into Math
lessons and build student-centered learning through collaborative group work,”
he said.
Adding that these teachers would earn BridgeIT Educator
certification, and 10 of the 60 participants would become Master BridgeIT
Educators who would train colleagues in other schools.
Further, he said, feedback and evaluations from the
pre-pilot phase would be integrated into BridgeIT Nigeria’s expansion to
additional schools and additional subjects, including six-level math and five-
and six-level natural sciences in 2012. This BridgeIT effort will ultimately
train hundreds of teachers and reach thousands of children in Nigeria.
President, Pearson Foundation, Mr. Mark Nieker said that
this effort allows students in Nigeria to benefit from the BridgeIT model and
extends the Pearson Foundation’s commitment to student achievement and teacher
ability across the globe.
The General Manager, Nokia West Africa, Mr. James Rutherford,
Nokia is actively involved in communities around the world to create tangible
social benefits.
Nokia, he said, is committed to enhancing the quality of
life around the world by using mobile technology to stimulate social and
economic development.
“… Realizing that government cannot shoulder the educational
challenges of a developing country like Nigeria alone, Nokia feels a sense of
responsibility to contribute its quota in helping to improve the delivery of
public educational services by improving both the performance of students and
the quality of teaching in our public schools,” he said.
Mr. Rutherford further disclosed that workshops have been
conducted to train teachers in using the software to optimize their lesson
plans using video content and expressed appreciation to Airtel for making it
possible for the videos to be downloaded over its mobile network.
ITRealms Online recalls that the BridgeIT model has enjoyed
success in the Philippines, Tanzania, Chile, Colombia, and India.
Each implementation of the programme, it was gathered, has
been characterized by the utilization of the latest educational technologies,
the empowerment of teachers to fully utilize mobile technology in the
classroom, and the following of a tailored and focused program for a
sustainable, scalable, and replicable implementation in partnership with local
education ministries and agencies.
Remmy Nweke
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
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