Professor of Educational Technology, University of Ilorin, Samuel Onasanya says that the use of ICT is the bedrock for the survival and development of any nation in a rapidly changing global environment.
He, however, advocated for the use of multi-media and internet for intellectual purpose, saying that the use of interactive multi-media and hypermedia instructions encourages individualistic teaching and learning.
Onasanya, stated this in his paper presented at the 185th Inaugural Lecture of the University entitled: “From the Slate Boards to the Webb: Paradigm shift in Educational Resources Deployment”.
According to him, the E-learning is now widely hailed and synonymously associated with more effective and efficient learning outcomes.
He added that research has shown that developed and evaluated virtual labouratory packages for Physics and Biology respectively is adequate and effective for the teaching and learning of selected concepts in physics and Biology.
The University don, therefore urged students to explore the opportunities offered by the virtual Physics and Biology labouratory packages for revision purpose as well as for individualised learning experiment.
“Investigations shown that multimedia can help in sports for facilitating the speedy acquisition of professional motor skills and experiences via monitoring of various styles and techniques,” he said.
Onasanys, observed that despite the numerous advantages of using the social media by students, there are perceived side effects of using it, such that can lead to isolation and addiction that may significantly affects productivity.
Others includes interpersonal and personal behavior of youths, health and psychological disorderliness from addiction to social media and internet, and video games and so on.
The inaugural lecturer warned that internet experience via pornographic sites has negative effects on the Nigerian undergraduates as it can lead to abortions, infections of the sexually transmitted diseases and complications as well as sexual promiscuity, among others.
The Professor, who teaches in the Faculty of Education noted that investigations on the influence of access to internet on the sexual health of some undergraduates in Nigerian universities indicates the acts that lead to unplanned pregnancies.
Onasanya, therefore advised the government and non-governmental organisations to endeavour to procure adequate digital learning tools and technologies at all levels of Nigeria’s educational system.
This, he said, would help the country to compete favourably academically with their counterparts globally.
SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin
