By Ibidunni Thaabitah
Becoming a better citizen is directly linked with the level of education and exposure that have been acquired over time. It is also dependent on how well one utilizes the available resources in the country. “Children are {the} most valuable resources” (Hoover); Hence, the need to focus on how to give Nigerian children a better life. Education is the major tool in shaping the life of the children as “{its} purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one” (Forbes). Giving good education to Nigerian children can be achieved effectively with the aid of technology which is a problem solving tool. In this sense, Nigerian children can be made better citizens through the use of technology in so many ways.
One of the ways Nigerian children can be made better citizens through the use of technology is by introducing E-learning (Electronic Learning) platforms to children in both urban and rural areas. This will indeed, help bridge the gap between rural and urban areas by making every Nigerian child a better version of himself. These E-learning platforms which include U-lesson, Elucidat, Evolve, and Camtasia have proven to be effective in disseminating knowledge to students. It does this by providing vivid explanations of the topic in question. Taking U-lesson as an example, this platform has helped children progress in their level of understanding through the use of effective teaching aids. Moreover, with the aid of technological tools such as interactive Whiteboard Aids, Google Classroom etc., children can have a good understanding of what is being taught. Therefore, children can have a better life through quality education.
Furthermore, Nigerian children can be made better citizens through the use of technology by encouraging creativity and innovation. Technology is basically used to solve human problems; some of the problems technology has helped to solve are but not limited to, communication problems, transportation problems, and healthcare problems. With the aid of technology people have been able to communicate with their loved ones who are far away from them. Consequently, technological tools like coding platforms and 3D printers can help develop problem solving and critical thinking skills which in turn can help encourage creativity and innovation among Nigerian children, and also equip them with the necessary skills to become productive citizens. Government should therefore, provide free courses on these skills so that Nigerian children can be useful for themselves and the society as a whole. Encouraging and exposing Nigerian children to coding platforms does not only make them better citizens but also make them creative and innovative citizens.
Finally, Nigerian children can be made better citizens through the use of technology by providing online mentoring programs. Many children have gone astray because they lack proper guidance. This is one of the reasons the government should provide online mentoring programs to give advice and support to Nigerian children so as to make them unleash their potential and teach them the right values. This will indeed, make them better citizens who not only take from the society but also give back to the society.
In conclusion, Nigerian children can be made better citizens through the use of technology by focusing on how they can get quality education through E-learning platforms and technological tools. They should also be exposed to coding platforms which shape their thinking capacity. Finally, the government should provide mentoring programs for Nigerian children so that they can have a better future. These are few of what can be done to make Nigerian children better citizens.
