Cross actions of the teachers, award presentation by special guests with the assistance of the trio facilitators.
By Chinwe Nwacha, Onitsha
At least 39 successful out of 50 teachers in Anambra State who participated in the one month training on the use of Wikipedia website for digital education, at Dennis Memorial Grammar School, DMGS, Onitsha, Anambra State, weekend, were presented with certificates.
Commending them for their success, the free online encyclopaedia lead facilitator, Mrs Obiageli Ezeilo, said that the training focused mostly on reading Wikipedia in the classroom for junior and senior secondary school teachers and students.
The lead facilitator disclosed that teachers who were not successful still have the opportunity to reapply for training even as she attributed their failure to so many factors that included, absence from classes, lateness, lack of seriousness to leaning, among others.
According to her the aim was geared towards teaching teachers on how to access and improve their media and information literary skills in classroom.
She hinted further that the programme is a free online training programme designed for teachers to learn how to integrate Wikipedia as a learning tool in the classroom.
"This will teach them how to access information, evaluate information and use these informations effectively in teaching and learning," she explained.
She stressed the need for them to master Wikipedia website to improve their information and communications' Technology (ICT) skills.
"Wikipedia is a reliable tool for teaching, as it assists in research ability, ICT compliance, digital compliance, assists in this 21th century teachers", she further stated.
Earlier, Dr Perpetual Osuchukwu, a facilitator in Wikipedia, explained that the training at DMGS was a pilot project adding that it would soon be spread to other zones with a view to making the teachers to be Wikipedia digital friendly for easy access on website information.
According to her those teachers who did not make it still have opportunity to reapply and commence training in the various zones of Wikipedia centers.
Achukwu Onyinye Jane, another facilitator, while expressing satisfaction with the success of the program, commended the successful teachers and urged them not to relent in their efforts to change the narratives for a better online digital education.
Highlight of the occasion was award of wrappers and cash to best teachers/all successful teachers and lecture from stakeholders from US and Borivia through online.