Prior to the pandemic, learning in Nigerian institutions and organisations was mostly classroom-based. Digital learning was at its infant stage, with few companies deploying Learning Management Systems in their organisations, establishing e-Libraries. However, with the pandemic, there has been wide adoption of remote learning across the academic and industrial sector.
Remote learning is interactive education delivered via a specialised online web-based platform such as Zoom, Microsoft teams, Go to webinar etc. with each participant connected to the platform. It is an innovative way for people to learn, and it comes with several benefits. Some of which include comfort, flexibility, and broad reach. With remote learning, one can attend different training at their convenience, affording them more flexibility.
For organisations, were in the past staff travelled for classroom training, remote learning eliminates the cost and the risk associated with the exposure to the virus. Also, remote learning makes it easier for participants to easily connect and learn from experts from different parts of the world.
Despite its benefits, a lot of people feel remote learning is less interactive as it does not provide maximum collaboration between participants, through breakout sessions and other classroom activities. Likewise, there are questions surrounding distractions with remote learning. In Nigeria, social-economic issues play a significant role in remote education. Factors such as power supply, limited broadband penetration, quality of running expenses like data subscription, diesel etc. pose challenges to the adoption of distant learning.
Nevertheless, even with this constraint, the benefits of remote learning is endless. To tackle the identified issues above, organisations need to be innovative, and there is a need for government intervention. Also, the Nigeria government has strategic plans to improve the penetration, reach and quality of broadband services across Nigeria, as part of its digital economy goals. The development of 5G network will also ensure fast and reliable internet services.
Therefore, with adequate support from the government in the aspect of power supply, cost-effective broadband coverage and innovations in remote learning tools, digital learning in Nigeria will be characterised mainly by distant learning. This will complement the already existing forms of digital , such as learning management systems, e-library and provide opportunities for innovative learning packages.
Remote learning has come to stay, and it will bring a transformation to our educational and social learning structure. As more industries and schools adopt remote learning in Nigeria, it will improve our learning culture and expose us to knowledge from experts across the world. The big question is, Are you ready for this change?
pcl. helps organisations both in design and setup of enterprise digital learning practice as well as the offering of world-class digital learning courses through our award-winning tools and platforms.
Discipline and setting up the right environment for online learning can help address issues of possible distractions prevalent in remote learning.
Written by:
Queeneth Okome
Analyst
