Prof. Henry Fadamiro
Prof. Henry Fadamiro of the Auburn University, United States of America, has said that if Nigerian students must be problem solvers, government must constantly review the academic curricula of its higher institutions to reflect the present global economy, which is digital.
Prof. Fadamiro gave the advice on Tuesday last week at a workshop, entitled, ‘Educating the Next Generation of Global Problem Solver: Effective Teaching Strategies and Techniques’, organized by Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria, in conjunction with Auburn University.
Prof Fadamiro said, “If we do everything right, we should be producing the next generation of global problem solvers. The curriculum being used in Nigeria presently must be redesigned to give essential skills to the students so that they can be problem solvers. The curriculum must accommodate present global economy which is digital. It is also called internet economy or Web economy
“Though curriculum development or revision is not a simple process, it should be done periodically (3-5years), while curriculum committees should make minor changes yearly to accommodate new developments and research findings.”
He advised Nigeria to emulate China by reforming its curriculum from subject-centered to balanced, integrated and selective curriculum to factor in the need of the changing world.
He also recommended the adoption of problem-solving learning styles and the discontinuation of passive learning and rote-learning style.
Condemning the philosophy of weeding or failing students by some teachers in the higher institutions, the Guest Lecturer advised that teaching philosophy must be tailored towards impacting knowledge irrespective of the academic status of the students.
Prof. Fadamiro said, “If 50 per cent of a class fails a course, it means that the teacher has failed in 50 per cent. Lecturers must find a way to make their classes inviting and move away from defining concepts alone and focus more on application of such concepts.”
He also advised the lecturers to consider the trending teaching method, ‘flipped classroom’, a model in which the typical lecture and homework elements of a course are reversed; short videos about the topic are viewed by students prior to class session; in-class session is devoted to discussions, exercises or projects; and shift priority from merely covering material to mastery of it.
Earlier in his Opening Remark, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, had thanked the Guest Lecturer for his efforts at making active the relationship between AAUA and Auburn University.
Prof. Ajibefun said AAUA would continue to explore the various opportunities and components of the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, between the two institutions.
