Don urges problem solving approach to teaching and learning
In view of the adoption of virtual learning in Nigerian Universities, Prof. Chinedum Peace Babalola, Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University,Ogun State has advised Nigerian lecturers to adopt a problem solving approach to teaching to promote deep learning, critical reflection and critical thinking.
The first female Professor of Pharmacy in an interview with Nigerian NewsDirect explained that when teachers stop teaching in a direct manner which encourages memorization, students would be forced to look inwards and learn to transform experiences into knowledge. It is when we do this that we are producing a 21st century workforce
“Problem-solving cuts across domains, from engineering, to biology, to businessand it is what we need in Nigeria.”
Prof. Babalola who shared the experience of Chrisland University in leveraging on technology to run its 2019/2020 session said that the COVID-19 lockdown did not halt the smooth running of activities because lecturers were willing to harness tools like Google Classroom, Zoom, Whatsapp and the institution’s learning management system “Classera” to teach their students.
“If we want to continue to learn without disruption, institutions need to adopt some form of blended learning.
“Virtual learning is not new; it is highly possible, it’s just like distance learning which has been used by many people in Nigeria to earn their degrees abroad. Infact, I think e-learning mode is more effective in monitoring students’ stage to stage performance and attendance.
“While there could be challenges due to the Nigerian situation of slow speed internet and power supply, I believe that benefits of adopting virtual learning using problem solving approach far outweigh the limitations.
“The lecturers and I went an extra-mile to ensure a hitch free delivery. We ensured that the lecturers were adequately trained; we sought the co-operation of parents to make sure that students had data, we partnered with Hewlett Packard (HP) Company to use their LMS called Classera and I also served as facilitator in students’ classroom.
“On partnership with Hewlett Packard, the adoption of “Classera” was a test run. We needed a learning management system that could help preserve the integrity of our examination, we didn’t want to give exams that are compromised and that was how we discovered that the problem solving approach was quite better. With this approach, you could give an open book and students would not be able to cheat, they would be forced to think.
“In foreign countries especially the United States of America, learning has changed and we need to follow the trend to be relevant. Students need to have critical thinking skills, I’m now so particular about this that I personally vet lecturers’ question to ensure that it fosters creativity.”
