Digital Education can Empower the next generation, shares Chinenye Ezeakor, Microsoft Nigeria EPA

Aug 16, 2017

Digital Education can empower the next generation, Chinenye Ezeakor Microsoft Nigeria Education Programs Assistant shares her thoughts on how.  

Digital Education  

Chinenye talks about how digital literacy can be a catalyst for the curious youth in this generation and the next. She says the truth of the matter is we live in a digital world and companies of all sizes have a growing need for technology experts. There’s a huge need to get more African youths, including girls, into STEM subjects, particularly technology and computing. 

When the education system provides students with the skills they need to thrive, they are more likely to stay and help their country prosper, rather than migrating for better educational or economic opportunities. 

As Education Programs Assistant for Microsoft Nigeria, Chinenye Ezeakor and the Education Programs team push for greater digital literacy in Nigeria’s schools through the Microsoft Imagine Academy initiative. She says this kind of support is particularly vital in developing countries. When the education system provides students with the skills they need to thrive, they are more likely to stay and help their country prosper, rather than migrating for better educational or economic opportunities.

Digital Education must be practical 

An electrical and electronic engineering graduate from University of Port Harcourt, Chinenye says to fight the trend, you’ve got to start early to foster interests in STEM.  Children love to get hands-on, whether they are building sandcastles or playing with Lego. So it’s essential that we translate STEM subjects into practical, hands-on experiences. Due to the type of educational system, we don’t really get to experiment with science. When you can’t see the practical application of something in real-life, you’re not going to see the relevance or the possibilities it might hold for you. 

It is essential that we translate STEM subjects into practical experiences. 
When you can’t see the practical application of something in real-life, you’re not going to see the possibilities it holds.

This takes on an added level of urgency when you consider how important digital technologies are becoming to Africa’s prosperity and growth. A few years ago, people in Nigeria were unsure about using e-commerce; now it’s a huge component of our economy. This is partly due to the rapid pace at which mobile technology is evolving in Africa, but it also comes down to digital literacy. 

Read more on Chinenye Ezeakor’s take on Digital Education and how it can cause economic growths. What’s you take on digital literacy and how it can impact our lives. Do join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments.