The Robotics Training for teachers organized by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in collaboration with RoboRave Nigeria and supported by the United States embassy left many of the participating teachers in awe as many consider it a giant mile stone in modern pedagogy.
The teachers were taught the basics in computer programming which focused on robots receiving a program(input), processing it and outputting it.
Speaking during the training exercise one of the participating teachers Mrs Yvonne E. Ogboko, noted that the pupils’ mind can be better sharpened with such training. “You could see the joy on our faces after we programmed the robot and then it performed the command given to it. We were made to understand that we could teach our pupils the basics of schematics in topics, like how to calculate distance, time and speed. It can also help to sharpen the minds of our pupils.”
Mr Idehen Ejiye Isaiah an Edo BEST teacher who also participated in the training recognized the boost the training has afforded them; “This training has come to further boost the digital methodology of teaching in the EDOBEST project in the primary education sector. The knowledge I acquired will enable me engage in critical thinking to have a scientific approach to resolving sensitive problems”, he noted.
The organisers of the event noted that the Robotics training is interdisciplinary and can be incorporated within the framework of the school curriculum. The lessons from the training was same with the programming for autonomous vehicles. Engaging pupils in such thinking will drive their innovations. Since teachers are gatekeepers, it becomes expedient that they are exposed to and interested in such training to make it easier for the pupils to grab.
Speaking at the event, the Director, RoboRave Africa, Mr Kingsley Imade applauded the Edo State Government for their interest in tech. based trainings for teachers as it affects modern teaching and learning. “One reason we are in Benin is because we have observed the interest of His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki in such innovations. Almost everyday Edo State is on the news and it is the State with the lowest school dropouts. Just recently your teachers were trained in digital teaching methods. We have come because His Excellency is very interested in modern educational innovations”.
Also present at the event was the SUBEB Chairman, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe who expressed her excitement over the progress of the training and the opportunities being afforded the teachers. “We are very excited about the opportunities that this training presents to all our teachers even as a first step or take off point to talking about the fourth industrial revolution. Even as we are talking about the nitty gritty, numeracy and literacy, we also don’t want to be left far behind. We believe our teachers will go back and feed back to their pupils what they have learnt today. On behalf of the Edo State Governor, His Excellency Godwin Obaseki we like to thank our visitors from abroad and the gentleman from RoboRave”, she noted.
The training culminated in a competitive session. Participating teachers were split into groups and made to put their robots to test. The teams whose robot performed the tasks at the shortest time emerged winners and were rewarded with cash gifts. Seven groups went home with different cash presents.
The Edo BEST Initiative has come to stay. Its goal is to ensure that every teacher in the state is digitalised and equipped for the 21st Century classroom even as the world moves swiftly into the fourth industrial revolution.
Edo BEST provides quality education for every child
Photo Caption: Cross session of teachers during training in robotics
