'54% of educators lack proper understanding of technology implementation' - report

folarin okunola

April 28, 2017 12:35 PM

Nigerian educators deem themselves highly proficient and believe they should be the ones to lead the digital revolution in the classrooms of the nation.

The Nigerian delegation at BETT Middle East 2017.

Microsoft Nigeria has released findings from a new education survey of 50 educators in Nigeria and it shows the challenges and opportunities in optimizing technology for the classroom as well as the skills required to succeed at it as expressed by the surveyees.

The survey, commissioned by Microsoft Nigeria and conducted by market research firm YouGov, was shared at the just concluded annual British Education and Training Technology (BETT) Middle East 2017 event held in Dubai on April 25–26. Nigerian educators were present at the event, led by Microsoft Nigeria’s Education Programs Manager, Jordan Belmonte.

Per the survey, Nigerian educators deem themselves highly proficient and believe they should be the ones to lead the digital revolution in the classrooms of the nation. They are also most interested in apps that help coordinate teaching materials.

90% of them believe their school leaders have a definitive understanding of how to use technology to improve the classroom experience, 54% affirmed that technology was used in some way in their school, and 64% agreed that problem-solving was an important skill required by students.

In terms of how the absence of technology impacts the student body, 46% believed that it would deride students of entrepreneurial opportunities. Even worse, 54% of the educators surveyed lack proper understanding of technology implementation and integration into the way they teach.

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“Over several decades, Microsoft has worked with institutions and educators around the world, and gained a deep understanding of how technology in schools can transform the learning experience,” said Anthony Salcito, Vice President, Worldwide Education, Microsoft Corporation, according to a statement made available to Pulse Tech.

“We continue to bring our leading-edge products, services and programs to bear on this challenge, always taking into account that technology is not the lone agent in such transformations, and can even complicate or slow down the process if not implemented with due diligence. We recommend that education leaders take a curriculum- focused approach to technology adoption, keeping in mind their educational goals, and then integrate those technologies that facilitate tangible benefits for students and teachers.”

The study shows that the biggest factor needed to transform education and learning experiences was educator skill sets, especially knowing how to make the most of tools and resources that are available.

“Lack of digital proficiency is the biggest challenge facing the youth, especially in the Middle East. It is crucial to take the steps for equipping educators with the right tools and providing them with trainings that will help address the technological challenges in the classroom; empowering students with key 21 st — century skills to deliver immense change,” said, Jordan Belmonte, Education Programs Manager, Microsoft Nigeria.

Check out the survey itself here.

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