Governments in different countries have realized the importance of digital transformation
in the education sector during the COVID-19 outbreak. Although some educational
institutions have used technology, it became more significant in this period.
Digital transformation is the use of digital technologies to create or modify an existing
business process to fulfill the customers/clients’ expectations, in the education context
students, faculty, staff, and graduates can be the target consumer and both students and
professors can benefit from digital transformation in schools. In education, it is more of
the culture than about innovation. Through the digitization of the learning experience,
students and teachers can improve their skills and gain more knowledge with a common
goal to create a more engaging, interactive, and effective learning process.
Let us take a look at some of the Transformations experienced
- High-Quality Trainers
Trainers have been empowered to confidently access and use digital tools to teach their
students. They are also in a position to share knowledge and interact with other trainers
worldwide hence improving the standard of teaching materials that they pass to the
students. - Worldwide Audience
The digital space has broken the geographical and cultural boundaries. Students have the
privilege of choosing an institute to study from despite its geographical location. Teachers
are can also bring knowledge out of the classroom. - Digital Equity
Students can now access the digital resources needed for their education. Unlike
traditional education where they were expected to carry loads of books right now, they
can access a variety of reading materials from one’s laptop, desktop or even mobile
device. - Customized Experience
Students need nudges, outreach, and access to solutions that help them stay on track,
from enrollment through graduation. Younger students need parents not just to be
informed, but to be engaged. This enables them to experience the education on a one on
one level.
It is important to note that technology is taking over the world and we need to embrace
and accept it as stakeholders in the education sector around the globe.
What you need to know about Nigeria’s Makoko Floating School
Makoko is a slum neighborhood in between the 3rd Mainland Bridge and the coast of
mainland Lagos Nigeria. Makoko is also home to the Makoko Floating School. The school
has received global recognition for its unique design and on 20 April 2015, the Lagos State
Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development announced that the school may be
incorporated into a regeneration plan for the entire Makoko community. Makoko is
referred to as the “Venice of Africa”.
Education is important to every child and before the construction of Makoko Floating
School, children didn’t have adequate primary school facilities. The flood was also a threat
to the kids and this would mean that they are unable to attend school as they wait for the
floods to end.
It is at this point that a Nigerian Architect Kunlé Adeyemi came up with the idea of
developing a floating island. He developed a prototype and with assistance from various
NGOs he was able to complete the project. The construction for Makoko Floating School
started in 2012 and it was completed in 2013.
The design of Makoko Floating School looks similar to a triangular A-frame. All the
classrooms of the school are located on the second tier of it. These classrooms are
partially enclosed with the help of louvered slats
What is interesting about Makoko Floating School is how it floats on top of the water. This
is a complex structure. It is constructed on top of a set of plastic barrels. It clearly shows
how available materials in the local neighborhood have been utilized to get the best
possible results. These barrels in the base of Makoko Floating School are also being used to
store excess rainwater collected from the rainwater collecting system.
With the successful completion of Makoko Floating School, it is important to better
understand how to develop sustainable structures. In this case, it can help people combat
the negative impacts of global warming and any climatic crisis that may happen in the
future.