Day 1
08:00 - 10:00 Registration and Welcome Coffee Break
10:00 - 11:00 Official Opening Ceremony
Welcome to GESS Leaders in Education Summit Nigeria - Tarsus Group
Introduction - Adebare Egunjobi, Executive Director, EIN Education Services
Ms. Abiola Lamikanra, Executive Chairperson, Association of International School Educators of Nigeria (AISEN)
National Vice President, The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS)
National President, World Organisation for Early Childhood Education (OMEP)
Hon. Commissioner for Education, Lagos State Government Ministry of Education
11:00 - 11:30 Keynote: Translating Neuroscience Evidence into Practice - Challenges and Possibilities
In this keynote, Richard will discuss how teachers have been translating evidence into classroom practice using teacher-led RCTs. Teachers worked with neuroscientists to design their trials and then implemented them. 34 trials and replications took place with important implications for how teachers could conduct research in similar ways to clinicians in medicine and healthcare.
11:30 - 12:00 Technology Partner: The Future Is African
Africa is seeing ~150% increase in its 2010 population by 2050. With little education investment for decades, sub Saharan Africa is playing catch up - on infrastructure, updated pedagogy and qualified Educators. Technology addition adds a layer of complexity that must be embraced because the race is no longer about arms, but a knowledge quest in a borderless world. Nigeria is a major contributor to the population growth and is making great strides in EdTech investment. How quickly can she scale to participate no, lead the creative change that will drive nation building? Is technology a learning support or digital distraction? The future IS African. Is Nigeria ready?
12:00 - 12:30 Keynote: Google Education - Overview of Google's FREE education tools.
How can Google education platform help improve teaching and learning in your school?
Paul Crossley, Education Director & Founder, Learn IT Academy
12:30 - 13:00 Gold Sponsor: Sharp Technologies that Enhance Education
In today’s ever-changing education landscape, technology plays a pivot role to contribute to the teaching and learning process. An increase in blended learning in the pre-K–12 segment to a rise in the bring-your-own-device culture, the education sphere is evolving. Sharp technologies such as interactive displays are becoming a fixture in educational settings, from kindergarten classrooms to college lecture halls. The interactive displays are helping teachers keep everyone’s attention through Internet, video, Microsoft® Office applications and more. Interactive display systems also facilitate collaboration. Students can use laptops, tablets and smartphones to view the same content as on the board. Distance learning via videoconferencing is here to revolutionize in education where professors, industry experts across continents can now deliver lectures to students remotely. Let’s dwell deeper into the various Sharp technologies that can be advantageous to you in the education process.
Bharat Gupta, Deputy General Manager (B2B), SHARP Middle East FZE
13:00 - 14:00 Lunch
14:00 - 14:30 The Importance of Positive Psychology Interventions as Part of the Curriculum
Wellbeing and mental toughness are vital to developing effective problem-solving skills, building and maintaining successful interpersonal relationships and realistic goal setting, all of which greatly enhance an individual’s ability to perform and contribute meaningfully in daily life. In the face of an increasingly volatile, uncertain complex and ambiguous world, education can make the difference as to whether young people embrace the challenges they are confronted or whether they are defeated by them. Positive psychology and neuroscience research shows what many teachers have anecdotally know for a long time-learning is deeply affected by wellbeing. Positive education brings together the science of positive psychology with pedagogy to encourage and support young people and communities to flourish. Research consistently shows that high wellbeing is linked to better physical health, happier relationships, greater resilience and more effective brain functioning.
14:30 - 15:00 The End of Apathy: Why Curriculum Needs to Shift to Engage the Global Learner
The world has changed. How we learn and what we learn has altered significantly with modern day advances in technology. With all of the social ills plaguing young people and competing entertainment and technologies, we need to provide individuals working with youth and young adults, new and different tools that are more culturally sensitive; tools that focus not just on academic content and college preparation, but information that holistically empowers individuals to pursue their interests. Students want to find where they fit and that does not always equate to opening locks to doors that lead to “typical” career pathways but instead, vocations. This presentation will discuss ways to: - Design and adapt culturally sensitive curricula that bring adult stakeholders and youth into the learning process and; - Devise and execute plans that encourage reading through the creative arts (spoken word, music, dance, etc.) and technology into classrooms and youth development programs. https://cagefreevoices.com/
15:00 - 15:30 Gold Sponsor: Nigeria's Introduction of Flat Stan First Aid For Children to Schools Across Nigeria
SERVICORE Managing Director will introduce the FLAT STAN FIRST AID concept and the idea behind it. the importance of First Aid for children in Nigeria and the benefits to the next generation.
He will then introduce Simon Ferris the Founder of Flat Stan UK to further elaborate on the techniques used, the materials, and impact and success that it has had to British schools.
15:30 - 16:00 Education in the Year 2030
We live in a world of accelerating change. New industries are constantly being born and old ones are becoming obsolete. Our workforce is evolving. Combined with the effects of technological automation on the workforce, this leaves us with a crucial question: What does the future of education look like? This talk explores the technology trends that are shaping the future of education, the curriculum required to prepare young minds for the next few decades and what the schools of the future looks like in 2030. The future school in 2030 is based on personalized learning pathways, purpose-driven accomplishments, and project-based learning. In such a model: Instead of traditional subjects, all learning is interdisciplinary. Instead of standardised exams, all assessments are solution and project-based. Instead of fixed time-tables, the school day is flexible. Instead of fixed pathways/subjects, the curriculum is personalised.
16:00 - 16:30 What Employers Are Looking for in 21st Century Graduates
The talk will be a presentation as well as a clear road map for schools and other education bodies to adopt. 1. The skill gap - of the future 2. Strategies the schools and universities can adapt to reduce the gap 3. Faculty readiness to close this gap 4. Strategies to up-skill faculty 5. Technology necessary to take the school/university to the next level 6. Creating international collaborations to take this education institute to the next level.
16:30 - 17:00 How to Prepare African students for Jobs with Artificial Intelligence
For most of us in so called third world countries, self-driving cars, voice assistants, and other artificially intelligent technologies are truly out there. Yet, we ought to recall that 15 years ago, the internet wasn’t a dominant force in our lives like it is currently and as such, things that are out of the norm would be common place. AI then will be more than a tool; in fact, AI will be their co-worker and an ubiquitous part of their lives. To prepare our learners to use AI and big data effectively –to comprehend it’s inherent limitations, and build even better platforms and intelligent systems — they need to be prepared now- what I call FUTURE READY. It means overhauling our system; changes in our elementary schools as well major overdue upgrades in how we teach IT in our secondary schools.
Day 2
09:00 - 09:30 Keynote: Translating Neuroscience Evidence into Practice - Challenges and Possibilities
In this keynote, Richard will discuss how teachers have been translating evidence into classroom practice using teacher-led RCTs. Teachers worked with neuroscientists to design their trials and then implemented them. 34 trials and replications took place with important implications for how teachers could conduct research in similar ways to clinicians in medicine and healthcare.
09:30 - 10:00 Keynote: Google Education - Overview of Google's FREE education tools.
How can Google education platform help improve teaching and learning in your school?
Paul Crossley, Education Director & Founder, Learn IT Academy
10:00 - 10:30 Gold Sponsor: Innovative Learning Spaces
Over the time education and the teaching techniques have changed. Educators today are applying various creative ways to incorporate learning. Hence the learning spaces or learning centers are being designed in innovative ways to fit into the new edge teaching methodologies. With and experience of 18 years in educational furniture, Popcorn and its design team is supporting the demands of these creative educators to transform their classrooms to engaging and innovative learning spaces.
10:30 - 11:00 Classroom Strategies to Improve Student Self-Efficacy and Learning Outcomes
A confident classroom has confident and successful students. Research shows that self-efficacy influences academic motivation, learning, and achievement. So how do we build a culture of academic excellence in classrooms that promote student accountability, confidence, and success? Teachers can stimulate critical thinking and comprehension and thus increase student self-efficacy through a variety of strategies such as growth mindset, open-ended questioning, positive reinforcement, finding meaning and purpose in learning, optimism, just to mention a few.
11:00 - 11:30 Coffee Break
11:30 - 12:00 The Tech Trends Transforming Education
Dominated by uninspiring curricula and an over-emphasis on short-term knowledge and outdated skills, the entire education industry is ripe for disruption. Several technology-driven trends are disrupting education systems around the world. Together, these trends are offering innovative solutions for a flawed system and contributing to more impactful learning experiences.
Raya Bidshahri, Founder & CEO, AwecademyThe Tech Trends Transforming Education
Dominated by uninspiring curricula and an over-emphasis on short-term knowledge and outdated skills, the entire education industry is ripe for disruption. Several technology-driven trends are disrupting education systems around the world. Together, these trends are offering innovative solutions for a flawed system and contributing to more impactful learning experiences.
12:00 - 13:00 Globalisation Through Organisational Culture
13:00 - 14:00 Lunch
14:00 - 14:30 Tech Road Map For Schools and Other Education Bodies to Adopt
Edtech/Technology Driven education Some of the key points of my presentation will include the following;
1. Type of technology that can be used
2. Use of technology in a flipped class room
3. Use of technology to collaborate with other schools(education bodies) or educators across the world
4. Use of social media/smart phones in progressive, creative learning
5. Technology & future of education/learning
14:30 - 15:00 Implementation Framework for Virtual/Augmented Reality in Classroom
An analytical study by BBC News shows a 100-year gap in the standards of education between the developed and developing countries. By introducing students to practical learning, especially the different modes of cloud-based learning, the situation will improve. Their interest and focus on education will gradually burgeon. VR is one method that can bring curiosity in young minds to generate free and innovative thoughts. In a simulated world, they will be freer to explore, move naturally in a simulated environment, and discover a whole new way to day-dream. The talk describes the successful implementation of ARVR, sharing case studies of successful adaptation in schools of various categories, including the teachers and students can be trained pretty much simultaneously, saving valuable transition time as well as redefine classroom experience and create an innovative learning environment that will bridge that technology-inspired communication gap between a student-teacher relationship.
15:00 - 15:30 Virtual Reality and Impact on Future of Learning
The education sector across the region, especially Nigeria, continues to develop thanks to the dedication of the regional governments. Determined to equip the youth with the advanced skillset prerequisite of a knowledge-based economy, the education sector has been a top priority. Immersive technologies like AR & VR provide a nurturing environment for experiential learning and pedagogical innovation. The benefits of immersive learning become more suitable when it is being implemented in underprivileged countries. By developing quality content for multiple students, the resources from the best academicians of the world can be shared easily and instantly. The initiative requires effort, consistency, and tremendous support. Immersive technology will empower these students to realize their dormant ambitions, to have courage from within, and to write their life journey. The initiative requires effort, consistency, and tremendous support. However through continuity, 'change will come'.
15:30 - 16:00 The Development of STEM Education in West Africa: Using Nigeria as a Case Study
STEM education and Digital Skills is no doubt the skills required for the future. Nigeria being the largest black nation and biggest country in Sub Saharan Africa has a role to play in shaping the future of Africa. The goal of our Robotics4Kids STEM training project is to bridge the developmental gap created through technology by igniting a passion for technological innovations via STEM Education from an early age in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG4) of the United Nations. Coding is becoming mandatory in schools globally. It is saddening that over 90% of Schools in Nigeria and West Africa do not have Computer Coding nor have STEM driven learning, as this is not entrenched in their educational curriculum. I’ll be sharing my failures, challenges, and successes attained, as a case study for realizing global ready schools in West Africa and repositioning Africa’s biggest country and economy in the global scheme of things through quality education.
16:00 - 16:30 The Power of Instructional Leadership
Research shows that effective school leadership extends beyond traditional leadership responsibilities (i.e. policy implementation, staff management, financing etc) to also include a dedicated involvement in leading instructional practice. Studies shows that leading teacher learning and development or upskilling is twice as powerful as any other leadership factor in affecting student outcomes. Instructional leadership, as a shared leadership model, is vital because teacher learning has a strong impact on student learning. High quality profession¬al development on instructional practice leads to improved pedagogy. Training in how to consistently evaluate the impact of teaching practice then allows teachers to understand the impact.
16:30 - 17:00 Creative Approaches to Improving School Culture: Using Media in Curricula to Enhance School Climate
We’ve heard stories of adults who have overcome abandonment, imprisonment, depression, and many other obstacles, but what about the stories of our young people? The use of podcasting allows youth and young adults, such as Vicu Shek, who was adopted from Romania to tell his journey of going from identity crisis to becoming a songwriter at the age of 17. Jauan Addison turned from a life of poor choices that landed him in prison, to a life where he has transitioned from SGA president of the college he attended, to working for the Mayor. Testimonials like the aforementioned are bound to get into the hearts and minds of others—particularly young people—to bring about change in school culture. Cage Free Voices Radio is a podcast series that aims to increase positive student dialogue around social, economic, and political issues impacting youth. Episodes include discussions from youth and education and community experts on topics surrounding youth issues on bullying and body-image and inclusion. This presentation will discuss ways to: - Incorporate podcasting into school curricula as a means of not only providing academic enrichment, but to foster social development and inclusion and; - Include students in school action planning processes. www.cagefreevoices.com