Wednesday 19 March 2014

21st Education System in Nigeria seems Far Refined & Updated

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Education is such a sector where the more you will invest; the better will be your returns, and this is one of the biggest truths that must be realised by governments running underdeveloped nations. Countries like Nigeria always had issues against providing educational support to students. A nation with a deteriorating economy, bleak infrastructure and political disturbances can never expect to ensure quality education to its citizens and Nigeria in this context had been quite industrious over the years to fight out the academic challenges as much as possible.  

21st century comes with a different story for Nigerian education

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The 21st century says a different story about Nigeria. Despite following the 6-3-3-4 education system that engages students towards pursuing education at primary, secondary and tertiary levels, Nigeria has put up a tremendous performance by bringing around 4.3 million internet users in the last few years.

Owing to the grand initiative taken by the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) towards making students study flexible through distance learning, the scenario of education has undergone massive improvements in comparison to those days when there were not even proper platforms under which students can attain quality education.

Distance learning unlocked new learning opportunities for Nigerian students

Distance learning has indeed been an ideal alternative for remote learners in Nigeria being able to enrol in a course without obeying the rule of attending classes has given students new way to complete their courses independently. In other words, distance learning Nigeria has brought opportunities for students to get involved in lifelong learning that would be possible from anywhere one wish.

Hulsmann pointed out four key features of open and distance learning that actually helped students to understand the definition of this learning mode:

1.     The teachers and the learner would remain separated from each in terms of place and often time
2.     Whichever education institution would be offering an online course must be accredited at any cost
3.     Online instructors would make an extensive use of technical media that might comprise web-based learning, pre-recorded videos through DVDs, social networking etc.
4.     A two-way communication process will be involved in this mode of learning. Tutors will be interacting with their students either asynchronously or synchronously.

Nigeria finally welcomed changes in its education system

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Later, distance education in Nigeria had such a positive impact on students and even working professionals that they were finally released from the compulsion of travelling abroad and enrolling in full-time courses. Financing for higher studies was no more a burden for many parents in Nigeria. Major initiatives were taken by the government and there were several renowned universities that also partnered with several Nigerian academic institutions. As a result, students got the opportunity to obtain their education online as per their own convenience.

Finally, the education system that badly required a change since years has now achieved a new look with the implementation of digital learning courses in classrooms at several schools and colleges. Rather, education in Nigeria has now acquired a new meaning and significance with its digital presence which would no more be underestimated like what it had been for years.



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Saturday 15 March 2014

5 Key Factors that Make Online Learning Effective for End Users

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As young people today are growing proximity with touch-screen devices, there is question mark over the survival of current classroom-based education model. The apparent change in higher education has given massive open online courses (MOOCs) a chance to grow its share in academic market. People have greater expectations from the online learning.

When it comes to adoption and completion of courses, online education technology has produced both promising as well as lacklustre results. However, those who advocate for web-based education technology have firm belief that the traditional classroom is on the edge of a remarkable change.

There are some online education companies, working in the partnership with universities and colleges, which have come up with Initial Public Offering (IPO) for raising the huge amount needed for the expansion of online courses across the world. They have roped in a few reputable universities like Berkeley, USC, Georgetown and American University to offer online learning experiences that match or surpass the education quality found on campus.

Advantages of web-based learning platforms

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Web-based platforms have given people the power to replace or assist in many traditional interactive methods, such as shopping, dating and banking. Nowadays, the internet-based platforms have expanded the learning boundary. Let’s have a look at the benefits of web-based learning platforms.

·         Affordability – Students can access more than 300 lecture hours provided by Harvard, MIT and Berkeley for free on YouTube. MOOCs are free and open to the prospective participants. Other online learning platforms are also cheaper for the students keen to enrol in online courses. In comparison to brick and mortar schools, the online learning medium is affordable because of its lower overhead.

·       Convenience – When it comes to convenience factor, online learning lets the end users take courses at their own pace and own time. This learning medium is far more convenient, in comparison to the traditional classrooms. To add to the effectiveness of the distance learning programs, there are several online communities and forums built around the courses.

·      Ease of access – Business schools were the ones to adopt online learning first, because it attracted even those students who were not likely to go for any type of higher education. A number of students with diverse mix of backgrounds, experiences, geographies and motivations are attracted to MOOCs.

·     Customizability – Online learning platforms allow students greater flexibility in terms of what, when, how and how much they intend to learn. According to some well-known educationists, online learning provides learners control over their learning processes.

·    Preparation – The eminent personalities in education and job sector say that future employers look for the job candidates who are well versed with dynamic learning. Though it may sound expedient affirmation from the online education providers, but when we take a look at the training tool in corporations, online learning has become the preferred training tool. Now, the argument might already seem correct to you.

Colleges and universities have always served to both innovation and tradition. In the near future, educational delivery system might become the blend of both in-person and online learning, though a lot depends on the innovators and the likes of young learners. 


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