Embrace technology to improve teaching and learning methods – Anis Haffar to teachers

Veteran educationist Anis Haffar and founder of the GATE Institute, has said that in order for Ghanaian teachers to boost the interest of students in an educational setting, they must establish new ways of teaching by embracing technology.

He said the approach will not only improve the cognitive skills of students but will facilitate the natural desire to discover and contribute to the world they live in.

He was speaking at an educational forum held at the Tema International School themed “A Transforming World: The State of School Education in the Next 15 Years.”

The event, which was part of the school’s 15th anniversary celebrations, covered a range of critical factors of school education which include teaching and learning; the learning environment; curriculum; personnel; and assessment.

Teachers have the greatest impact on student learning in the classroom. However, there is a shortage of teachers globally, especially in many third-world countries where students attend school with unqualified teachers.

According to the educationist, teachers must be trained not to be afraid of using digital tools which will not only make their work easy but promote a better learning environment where students will not go through the “chew, pour pass, and forget” way of learning.

Recounting his experience during an interview Mr. Haffar said, “When I was in Mfantsipim, I spent four years. I couldn’t speak it because of the way it was taught. But these days, you could go on YouTube, you can begin to listen and use audio-visuals, we have software packages, where instead of four years, you can speak the language in six months.”

The trainer of teachers emphasized that training institutions must raise a crop of teachers who are computer savvy, who are not afraid of it, who really want to update their own status so that we can help the children in this country.

Haffar, who further opined that the current educational system must be changed, believes that the cognitive ability of Ghanaian kids are no different from others he has taught, worldwide.

He advised that educational institutions, teachers, and other stakeholders must understand the processes which “will bring the best out of our young people. And you will see the changes that we will bring into this country.”