Modern Teaching Techniques: Edo Varsity Organises 2 Days Training For Academic Staff

A two-day capacity training workshop on modern teaching techniques has been organized for academic staff of the Edo University Uzairue. At the opening ceremony which started on Tuesday, at the Aliko Dangote Auditorium, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Dawood Egbefo, said it was imperative for academic staff to acquire and apply new teaching techniques for academic development. He said no amount of time spent in colleges or universities will be enough to complete the preparation for a teacher for classroom tasks saying teachers must continually be trained and retrained as well as armed with the requisite modern knowledge acquired for the 21st century engagement. The Acting VC noted that the training is to lay a solid foundation for a sound academic session as it is aimed to enable us get acquainted with the challenges ahead of us as we prepare for the first semester. Prof. Egbefo said the two-days training workshop would allowed the academic staff to acquire new teaching techniques for their academic development and learn how to structure and deliver their teaching in a more practical, impactful and effective way. “As we set necessary machinery in motion for an effective take off of this academic session, it is therefore expected of us to discharge our professional responsibility to meet the challenges in academic and research development”, he said. A guest speaker, Prof. Patrick Oviasuyi who spoke on the topic Work Ethics in the University Environment for Academic Staff, described work ethics as morals and norms observed in work places saying it is crucial to the development of any institution. In a paper titled:Techniques for Improving Performance of Academic Staff, Dr. Orhare Osumah said academic staff performance is vital for proper functioning of a university to achieving its core mandate and objectives. According to him, academic staff performance can be influenced by various factors, adding that a number of techniques can be adopted to improve academic staff performance. Dr. Osumah listed such techniques to include investment in staff training; development mentorship and coaching; creating enabling environment; set clear goals and expectations; analysis of critical incidents and provision of regular feedback; Recognition and reward; and opportunity for growth and development. Speaking at the workshop, a guest lecturer from Ambrose Ali university Ekpoma, Prof. Godwin Okogun has called on the Federal Government to adequately fund tertiary education in Nigeria. He said that the major issues affecting tertiary education is gross under funding which affects teaching, learning and research. According to him, tertiary education is grossly under funded and government needs enough money to inject into the system as under funding is one of the bane of education development which has contributed to the low standard of education in the country. Also, the Director, ICT of the institution, Dr. Ayodeji Makinde, who spoke on the Teaching Aids in an Academic Environment emphasised the importance of teaching aid in a modern teaching era. Dr. Makinde said teaching aids provides learners with more clarity about the context that they are being taught, adding that all these activities create friendly learning atmosphere in the class and bridge the gap between teachers and students. Earlier, the Director of Professional Training and Development of the institution, Dr. Anthony Iyoha said the training is geared towards empowering the academic staff with teaching skills required for a world class institution. “The knowledge and experience you will acquire from this exercise will in no small measure assist you to impact our students positively”. “I therefore implore you to listen attentively to the speakers for you to gain knowledge at the end”, Iyoha said.

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