THE EFFECTS OF MOBILE PHONE AND ELECTRONIC GADGETS ON EDUCATION: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY.

It is no longer news that the world has become a global village where everything is now at our fingertips.  More importantly, mobile phones and other similar gadgets can be seen as either a blessing or a curse to the education sector. Whichever one chooses certainly makes a direct impact on one. Edu-Focus in this edition will be looking at the pros and cons and possible measures to check any foreseen danger which these gadgets pose to the education sector in our country.

 

The good

The invention of mobile phones and other mobile gadgets has primarily enhanced communication for man in our world today. Beyond that, it is has also made learning easy and convenient for all and at all level. With the aid of internet facilities one would want to wonder if there is anything on earth that is still hidden or perhaps cannot be tapped. Every mobile gadget and mobile phone gives one the opportunity to stay ahead with the trend in the society as well as with activities in school at one’s comfort. Although sometimes there can be misleading information on the internet which will require one’s discerning mind to recognize, there are however endless relevant information that comes in handy for our specific purpose at any particular time. And coming to other features that come with some mobile phone and gadget such as radio, television and instant messaging applications (Whatsapp, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc), these, you would agree, have further aided learning, interaction and communication all on the go. Every stake holder in the education sector would also agree to the fact that he/she at one point in time or the other has learnt or benefitted from these devices. The endless list of benefits however leads us to some of the bad which is really a big concern for all.

The Bad

 As much as we resonate the laudable things mobile phones and other communication gadgets have done to our education system, this great invention has been observed to be bastardised by most users, especially students. Some of these negative uses can be traced to the unexplainable addiction to the gadgets today. One then begins to remember that we actually lived and learned without these mobile phones in the past. It is also undeniable fact that these gadgets are guilty of inducing laziness amongst  students and even teachers, who, instead of sourcing for hard copy materials relevant for studies, would settle for unbalanced soft copies extracted on the internet through the mobile gadget. An instance that aches the heart of parents and school administrators in particular is the use of mobile phones in classrooms; this is simply unthinkable as the students will certainly be distracted during lectures. Rather than focus on their studies, they are always engrossed, chatting with friends, surfing on the internet or perhaps listening to music or radio, all of which are irrelevant at that moment.  That is just a few of the growing mannerisms that have misled many today. The decline of standard in the educational sector can be traced to one of the world’s greatest inventions, i.e. Mobile phone, and other communication gadgets. Let us take a look at the ugly side of mobile phone to our education sector.

The ugly

This is the moment we will take time to reflect on the harm the invention of the gadget has done to the educational system, and perhaps carefully weigh the benefits as well as the cost of mobile phone invention.  It may however interest you to know that the invention of this mobile gadgets is responsible for the increase in examination malpractice in our education sector which in turn has rubbed off on the product that comes out today in terms of human resource. In truth, this ungodly act of examination malpractice is always carried out with the aid of mobile phones. This has been the case with JAMB, JSCE and SSCE and all other external examinations. Many also have found themselves in wrong associations with people they barely know through social interactive platform. This had led to peer influence which  resulted in teenage pregnancy for the young girls,  cyber crime or other form of illicit and unimaginable acts for the boys.

Here are some straight pointers to what is expected of all:

A strict rule must be laid down by the school preventing students from bringing phones to school.

Parents on their part should not sabotage this by ensuring that phones are not given to their children until perhaps they get to the right age when they will be responsible and accountable for some of their actions.

For the students, it is advised that phones should be used at home only. When they often have access to mobile gadgets, it should be a time to source for information that will make them better academically rather than engage in needless and harmful conversations or surfing.

On a final note, no matter how much we weigh or examine the effect of mobile phone to the educational sector, one thing is certain: that is, our individual and collective responsibility to see to it that this great invention to mankind is in proper use not to damage our future but to help shape it.

 

10 WAYS TO CULTIVATE A CREATIVE MIND

 

More often than not, success is synonymous with creativity. Thomas Edison is known as successful because he created the light bulb. Richard Branson’s mega success came from his unique creations and of the Virgin Company. Jony Ive, who has repeatedly been described as the creative genius behind Apple’s greatest products is indeed notorious due to his creativity. The list goes on and on with the numerous creative minds behind successful products.

            If success comes with being creative, the crucial question then, is what does it take to possess a creative mind?

            Creative has been defined by neuroscientist as the ability to take disparate or scattered ideals and bring them together in new and useful combination. Not surprisingly, the creative process of the mind is bringing together different parts of your brain. Thankfully, much of research in modern neuroscience such as creativity are the result of a person’s own intentional activation of different parts of the brain. It is something that can be harnessed through practice, cultivation, and development.

 

Here are ten ways to spark off your creative mind!

1.     THE CLOUD EXERCISE

You probably had to do this when you were a child, but do not let the simpleness of this cause you to think that it is not effective!

            Clouds are notorious for resembling something else. Take a look up at a few different cloud formations and note what some of the shapes resemble. A tree? A cat?

 

2.     INCREASE YOUR VOCABULARY

Most online dictionaries will always have a “word of the day” already featured. So try and chew up a word in day to your vocabulary. Most importantly, find a way to use it during a conversation-that even makes it challenging and fun.

 

3.     PICK ANY OBJECT AND DESCRIBE IT TEN DIFFERENT WAYS

What is in front of you right now? Most likely your book or the magazine you are reading. How many different ways can you describe it? Colourful, informative….. try and come up with ten adjectives for it.

 

4.     PICK UP A PENCIL AND DRAW

Studies have shown that drawing activates certain parts of your right brain. You do not need to be the next Da Vina to reap the creative benefits of trying to draw something you see just take a look out the window or try and draw the coffee mug on front of you.

 

5.     DO SOMETHING WITH YOUR NON-DOMINANT HAND

Doing something unfamiliar will give your brain a kick in the pants and fire off neurons that will support your overall creativity. Whether it is brushing your teeth, combing your hair, or writing your name on a piece of paper, try it with your less dominant hand.

 

6.     LEARN A FEW PHRASE IN A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE

Always wanted to throw out a couple of romantic French or Italy phrase? Learning a language activates the left temporal lobe of your brain-you will not only bilingual talents but also do your creative brain a favour! Pick up a little phrase book from a book store for a couple of naira.

 

7.     PLAY DEVIL’S ADEVOCATE TO YOURSELF

Come at a conversation or discussion from a different angle. Argue with yourself and force your brain to wrestle with a different side. Stretch your mind into having to reason through a different perspective.

 

8.     EXPERIMENT

Try something new. If you are a foodie, step out and try a different ingredient or a style of cooking you have never had. If you are into music, try listening to something different. Uncharted waters get the brain to lay some new creative networks. Ask yourself, “when was the last time you did something for the first time?”

 

9.     LEARN A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT

Most songs are a repetition or variation of four simple chords which are easy to learn on a guitar or a piano. Music is immensely powerful tool in activation creative parts of your brain as it stimulates multiple areas of your brain.

 

10.                          FIND A DIFFERENT USE FOR AN ITEM

A pillow could be used as a chair cushion-you do not have to actually go ahead and use it, unless you really want to, but come up with alternative uses for items in your possession. An empty plastic of bottle water can be use as a funnel by cutting it into two.

 

            All these exercises are designed to activate dormant part of your brain and cause different portions to work together in way that they usually would not. This unique cooperation of different portions of the brain will create the perfect environment for mind to be at its creative best.