Cloud computing is not a term you would ordinarily hear in education circles. However, slowly but surely, the technology is starting to play a critical role in advancing digital transformation throughout the sector worldwide.
One local example of this is Nigeria’s Universal Basic Education Board Commission (UBEC) which recently partnered with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to launch a cloud server for monitoring and evaluating the performance of academic institutions.
Leveraging the scalability and flexibility of the cloud, institutions and sector stakeholders have an opportunity to revolutionise IT operations in education at the same time the sector itself is realigning to new ways of working and administration.
It also opens the door for the sector to reshape its relationship with data capturing and management, which in turn can lead to new and optimised operational efficiencies, valuable and actionable insights, and an overall improvement in the quality and delivery of education to students across Nigeria and the West African region.
The need for technology integration
Facing critical challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, insufficient teacher training, and limited access to modern learning tools and resources, Nigeria’s education sector cannot afford to play catch-up with the greater trend of digital transformation.
If there is one lesson to be taken from the COVID-19 crisis and the global pivot to hybrid and remote learning models, it is that a certain level of digital readiness is required, and that institutions and sector stakeholders need to prioritise integrating technology into their learning and administration systems.
As online learning platforms and AI-driven education tools become more prolific, institutions require enterprise-grade IT infrastructure that can meet the daily needs of teachers and administrators, both in terms of reaching and teaching their students, and contributing to sustainable sector growth and development.
For example, by sharing technology environments, schools and agencies can pool their resources to drive innovation as well as standardise their business practices to introduce and implement new efficiencies. This is what cloud computing at its core helps enable, and from which educators can unlock further benefits and opportunities.
Benefits for students and educators
Where cloud computing starts to show value is how it enables educational institutions to scale their IT services to their needs without having to make significant investments in physical infrastructure.
While institutions may still require reliable internet connectivity and the necessary skills for implementation and management, the cloud boasts a level of cost-effectiveness and scalability that makes it optimal for markets such as Nigeria.
Cloud computing also opens the door to greater inclusivity and access by enabling learners and educators to access tools and resources wherever they are.
Furthermore, they can communicate and collaborate on projects and assignments in real time via cloud-based learning management systems (LMS) and other platforms. In the instance where cloud infrastructure is used for the purpose of quality assurance, as is the case with the UBEC and NASRDA partnership, it can help the sector pivot from a traditional school inspection and oversight model to one founded on standardised and systemic monitoring and evaluation processes.
The power of AI, data and analytics
Just like every business sector today, education has the potential to unlock added value through its handling of data and the adoption of analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
In this use case, administrators can gather data such as student demographics and test scores, attendance rates, online activity, behaviour, and any other information that can be used to identify patterns and transformed into actionable insights. In doing so, administrators can enhance their decision-making and ultimately improve educational processes and outcomes.
AI takes this one step further in terms of both supporting educators and enhancing their roles. For example, facing a shortage of adequately skilled professionals, AI can be used to automate routine teaching duties and streamline administrative tasks, allowing them to engage more with their students and create a richer learning experience.
AI/ML models can also enhance that experience through customisation and personalised content, tailoring it to meet individual needs and expectations.
Finally, AI can help expedite the student assessment process, providing teachers with timely feedback and helping identify students’ strengths and weaknesses.
All this is possible with cloud-based software, platforms, and infrastructure, all of which can serve as the foundation for sector-wide transformation.
By embracing a cloud-driven IT strategy, Nigeria’s education sector can reap the benefits of 4IR technologies and equip future generations for success.
