University Don canvases for innovative strategies in tertiary institutions

Professor of Science Education, Kehinde Victoria Fatokun, has called for a transition from conventional methods of teaching to innovative strategies that would pave the way for tertiary institutions in the country to produce highly skilled graduates who are competent and employable in the labor market.

Professor Fatokun, a lecturer in the Department of Science Education at the Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State, made the call while delivering the 18th Inaugural Lecture series of the university titled “Transforming Chemistry Instructional Practices: Navigating Through Resolving Learning Intricacies and Integration of Innovative Pedagogy,” held at the Adankolo campus of the institution.

She averred that for universities in Nigeria to deliver on their mandate, there should be a paradigm shift from exam-based learning to outcome-based learning, from certificate-based learning to competence-based learning, and from salary-based teaching to impact-based teaching.

According to her, the quantity and quality of teaching and learning experiences define a nation, noting that the adoption of innovative instructional approaches that emphasize the exhibition and promotion of 21st-century skills are highly essential in teachers’ instructional practices for producing highly skilled graduates who can compete favorably with their counterparts globally.

Professor Fatokun charged the management of the Federal University Lokoja to organize workshops for all teaching staff to familiarize them with innovations in teaching, especially the use of modern techniques and learning technologies for their pedagogical skill development.

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“Since teaching excellence is one of the crucial academic functions, the assessment of this key element should form part of the parameters for the promotion of all academics at all levels. The burden of assessment should not be laid majorly on publications,” Prof. Fatokun advised.

She urged lecturers to develop an intensive research and knowledge transfer culture that includes all teaching and learning activities, stressing the need for a self-development plan by individual lecturers to tackle students’ learning issues.

In his opening speech, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Akinwumi Olayemi, commended Professor Fatokun’s contributions to the field of chemistry.

Olayemi noted that Prof. Fatokun’s dedication to the advancement of science education is well-known and highly respected both within the Federal University Lokoja and beyond.

He described the topic of the lecture, “Transforming Chemistry Instructional Practices: Navigating Through Resolving Learning Intricacies and Integration of Innovative Pedagogy,” as apt and timely.