To achieve this, the university teacher advocated the establishment of a technology centre, to handle responsibilities such as capacity building that will enhance digital literacy; retraining of in-service workers, development of digital resources for learners with special needs, installation and maintenance of smart classrooms, and providing support to lecturers in online courses packaging.
Egbowon shared his thoughts while delivering the 102nd inaugural lecture series of the institution, titled: ‘Educational technology: The uninformed, the misinformed and the informed.’
He said though there are lots of misconceptions about educational technology and relevance, causing challenges regarding its proper placement, grading, assessment and acceptability, the discipline facilitates personalised learning, improves active engagement, enhances access and supports collaboration.
He added that the discipline also promotes lifelong learning, provides instant assessment and feedback, encourages innovation and prepares learners for the world of work.
Defining educational technology as a comprehensive, systematic approach that utilises both human and material resources to enhance instruction, Egbowon noted that though the course is not an end in itself, it is relevant to all disciplines.
While emphasising the need to strengthen the study of the profession, the lecturer advised institutions to also encourage their lecturers and students, regardless of their discipline, to undergo training in design, production, selection and utilisation of instructional materials to enrich their service delivery and learning outcome respectively.
He also suggested that every faculty should not only be well- equipped with materials like multimedia projectors for effective service delivery, but also embrace creativity, critical thinking, effective communication and collaboration.
Egbowon said while experts in educational technology should be allowed to coordinate these processes, they should also be involved in the installation of digital facilities in the lecture halls.
“I will also recommend that broadcasting outfits should be established at the educational technology centre for students to receive live and recorded lectures as this method will also decongest the normal classroom setting,” he added.
