How Robotel is redefining education in Nigeria

In an interview with the newspaper Nairametrics*, Robotel’s Country Director tells Nairametrics how ed-tech start-ups are providing innovative solutions to the Nigerian education sector.

The world has evolved from traditional methods of learning to a more digital method. Edtech has become one of the fastest-rising start-up sectors in the world mainly due to the pandemic.

The landscape of formal education in Nigeria is mainly based on a relatively archaic model. Students still attend brick-and-mortar establishments to get educated. The system is exam-driven mostly, theoretical, and impractical.

Amid these daunting challenges, some Nigerian innovators are creating sustainable solutions to close the education gap. One of them is Olu Babatunde, Country Director of Robotel. In a brief chat with Mr. Babatunde, he showed us how Robotel provided innovative solutions to students during the pandemic.

What does Robotel do?

Robotel Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets Robotel SmartClass HUB, LIVE and Digital Language Content (English, Spanish and German); the 21st Century Digital Classroom Management System and Multilingual Laboratory Management Resource. SmartClass + is a blended learning system used in elementary schools, colleges, universities, adult education centers, military classrooms, corporate training centers, and special learning environments such as cognitive and sign language centers. Robotel SmartClass+ resource can be configured as a Language Lab, Medical and Science Lab, Engineering and AI Lab, Mass Communications and Media Arts Lab, e-Library, ICT Centre, etc school’s needs and expectations. SmartClass+ can be used in a multi-discipline environment to teach any subject.

What innovative solution did Robotel provide during the pandemic?

Robotel developed the SmartClass+ HUB, which integrates technology to support teaching and learning in class and remotely. It gave more attention to learning design and pedagogical issues of teaching and learning.

Robotel SmartClass+ enables learning to happen anytime, at any place, in any language, and on any device. When school closures happen at any time, SmartClass+ HUB empowers schools to continue education safely, seamlessly, and effectively remotely. This means that students can continue their learning and tackle their exercises outside of the classroom. Teachers can review students’ work, grade it, and provide feedback from any location via the Internet. Robotel SmartClass+ is the best-blended learning solution available in the market today. The resource is versatile, flexible, and highly user-friendly.

What do you think can be done to enable the wide adaptation of online learning in both public and private schools?

Teachers and students must urgently adapt to the blended learning system that allows teaching and learning to continue when the need to limit human interaction arises. It is essential to look at how teacher education has adapted to the restriction in human interactions and moved to new ways of teaching and learning to prepare future teachers for a world marked by uncertainty. We must begin to:

• (Re)educate teachers about scenarios that are unpredictable and unknown.
• Open up the whole frontier of remote learning by ensuring that all students have access to the Internet and remote learning technology. Schools, teachers, and students in certain areas cannot afford this in their budgets. The federal, state, local government, and private companies can look into it and lend a helping hand.

 21st-century learning requires technology and the Internet. Therefore, improving the quality and reach of internet connectivity is critical. All teachers and students should have the technology to teach and learn from outside the traditional face-to-face learning model.

* Nairametrics is a business and financial news website. We provide daily coverage of news and analysis from the key sectors of the Nigerian and global economy including the stock market, cryptocurrency, capital markets, Commodities, public finance, and formal and informal sectors.