EDUCATION BEFORE AND NOW NIGERIAN PERSPECTIVE Activity 1.

The curriculum that was prevalent in Nigeria in 1980s was more centred around quality teaching and there was far less students involvement in the learning process, the foundation from the primary Education was centred around arithmetic, social studies, English, French(which were the two major language in the country) and then physical education, science and arts, this is similar to what we teach today as which emphasises numeracy, literacy and ICT as the background for all other learning objectives. The present curriculum is activity based whereas in our time it was more on reading and writing with little or no activities to give more practical approach to the learning process. The secondary education was focused on subjects like mathematics, English Language, French, Geography, Agricultural Science (The country was highly dependent on agriculture hence this subject was very important in the school curriculum and every student have to cultivate a piece of land allocated within the school premises as most schools operated school farms, other secondary subjects were history, economics, technical drawing, woodworks, and physical Education. There was no use of ICT then and hence all subject deliveries were through the black board, there were no interactive board or board pens as we have today, teachers wrote using a white chalk. This makes delivery slower.

The curriculum made room for 6years of primary education, 5 years of secondary education and 5years of university education, there were possibility for direct entry to 4years university program after a 2years higher school certificate course equivalent which was equivalent to UK advanced levels. Entry to university was by passing a national entrance examination called Joint admission and matriculations examination, the syllabus for the examination was quite above the GCE standards and barrier to some gifted students who sometimes have to study the new additions to the main secondary syllabus for another year before passing this exam, but this one year have now been incorporated into the present curriculum which have 6years secondary education.

Activity 2 Hidden curriculum was more prevalent in our school days than it is today, nowadays students play a large role in their education compared to our times when teachers where virtually looked unto as small gods and students are not allowed to make much contributions in class, but take in all that the teacher says, in most cases the teacher impress their own believes and attitude to life on the student, the schools were less democratic, even though there were student leadership bodies, most of their actvities were dictates of the school head. Methods of discipline were very hard and this instils fear on the minds of the students and this fear was carried all along in the class, on the playground and generally within the school premises, this hinders students from freely making contributions to school programs and class contribution. The relationship between teachers and students were not as cordial as we have it today this hinders communication and confidence on the part of the students from expressing their pressing needs during conversation with teachers and also from making suggestions that may in other words have been useful to lessons, also motivation and confidence of the student were not fostered as the actual abilities of the students were suppressed. Today also we have more classes and more teachers and number of students per class has reduced considerably, this in our time was different as classes were usually crowded and this does not give room for teachers to attend to individual needs of the students, as ratio of teach to students were very enormous.

Activity 3 The School system have changed considerably, considering the recognition of the hidden curriculum, the school for so many years have been involved in teaching rather than learning with the students on the receiving end and not having a say on how they are being taught, becoming like robots, lots found these difficult and many play along with the requirement of the system being obedient students, quite and taking down notes, keeping their own ideas and understanding for fear of being criticised by their teachers, the authority of the teacher being too overbearing on the students. However many of the pupils coming to school are coming from different background and experience based on social, ethnic and cultural background, the teachers need to be trained to learn to know more about the students they teach and understand their needs and their backgrounds as this will shape the way we deliver the curriculum that will best prepare them for the future, lots have to be understood about best pedagogical approaches to adopt in the classroom towards achieving better multicultural classroom learning, although many of the students may want to impress their negative attitude and learning from outside the school on the school through peer pressure and activism and also through rebellion, but if the school is more open and allow students to understand their potentials and develop on their strengths, through collaborative learning rather than giver to receiver method of delivery, we will produce from our schools more competent and motivated students. Hidden curriculum will operate better if teachers have a closer relationship with students, through concern for the students personal goals, ideas, likes and dislikes, expectations, targets and relationship with other students. The teachers will also create a forum for students to make more contributions during lesson and give critical analysis of students point of views and use better means of communicating opposite views to the students and also commendations, there should be more of this commendations to good contributions from students and allow for freedom of speech and expressions. Equality within the school community will foster a sense of belonging, irrespective of race, gender and religion, such should not be an issue that will generate friction but everyone will be respected for who they are.

Activity 4 what should the education system aim to achieve? WRITE: Write about the extent to which you agree with John White that "schools should be inculcating knowledge relevant to modern society, such as the ability to live healthily, to manage money and to find fulfilment". The Points raise by John white are very important as we are in an era where every aspect of life has advanced so much that if students are not thought a lot of things relevant to how they will integrate into the society they will struggle to learn this things themselves along the line and this will defeat the main aim of educational curriculum which is to create "successful learners", a term defined by the
Qualifications and Curriculum Authority as being able to study independently, Communicate well and enjoy learning. Inculcating knowledge relevant to modern society, such as the ability to live Healthily, to manage money and to find fulfilment into the curriculum will enhance learning amongst students and help them develop life skills to adapt and tackle prevalent circumstances in the society. As a science teacher I have observed that the reviews on our teaching materials have applied this requirement to a very large extent, for example while teaching reproduction the topic is now called sex and science and have included lots of issues that deals with personal care during pregnancy and after delivery, sexual development from childhood through puberty, adolescent and adulthood, some sexual complications and how to avoid them etc, a lot of issues were attended to in the personal lives of each students and they enjoyed the lessons more because apart from living reproduction most of their questions regarding issues they were struggling with were dealt with at the same time this made learning more enjoyable. The world has evolved so much that fundamental issues and information students used to get from interactions with their parents are not being answered at home anymore as in most cases both parents work and single parenthood has become very prevalent in the society, the task now fall on the school to include such values into the curriculum, as well as prepare students for future jobs prospects and opportunity to earn living we will have to also help them know how to discover their inbuilt talents and develop in, how to apply this talent to worthwhile activities, how to live and cohabit with others as globalisation has placed a demand on us to understand that views and backgrounds differ a lot this modern days and to work with other people we must first understand them to avoid conflict of character, interests and believes which can hinder our success in life as we need people to succeed, The students also need to learn to live a health life, there are lots of pollutions as industries have increase, climate changes, waste disposal, high technology food and drinks, dangers using modern days technological devices like using waves and radiations etc, the health and safety implications need to be included into teaching topics relevant to such issues. In teaching respiration and photosynthesis and waves and radiation in science I have discovered that most of this issues have been dealt with and it stimulate the students interest the more rather than just learn subject matter, Encouraging social integration help to encourage developing good relationships with others beginning from the school and into the society at large, social skills like democratic practises were students learning to have a say on how they learn and how school issues are being carried out, learning about diversified society with people of varied believes and cultures, learning that other peoples interests are important in building worthwhile friendship and social networks, learning

about the growing financial situation and how to manage funds and credits and generally live a successful and fulfilling life in a fast paced world.

Activity 5 Write about the relevance of John White's curriculum aims to education in a school system of your own choice. Comment on the strengths and weaknesses of his formulation from your own point of view. What sort of people do you want your chosen education system to produce? What sort of qualities should they have and what should they be able to do?

The success of a society depends on the success of the people living in that society, if a school will be called a successful school, the success must be reflected on life of the students, teachers, parents and other supportive staffs related to that school system. For the above statement to be realised everyone involved in the school system must work together parents and teachers to bring about this success, according to the Spanish constitution on christened PRAISE, education at primary and secondary levels are an essential service to the community whose aims and objectives is to improve school results, to obtain the success of all in the obligatory education, to make school childlike process, in degree and in formative cycles, to promote vocational training, to educate for democratic citizenship, to promote learning that is fulfilling along life paths, to reinforce the equity of the educational system With the countries of the EU, the success of the students is very important and this success is tied to knowing more about themselves, getting involved in worthwhile activities that will bring out the best in them, developing skills and enjoying the application of such skills within the school and their communities, developing quality relationships with people starting from their friends and fellow students and their teachers to people within their community and worldwide, helping others to succeed, being compassionate towards others, understanding democratic values, learning to work individually and in groups. The strengths of the curriculum aims of John Whites are that, 1. Good and healthy relationships are developed by the students amongst themselves and with teachers that strengthens their ability to work with people that will enhance their inter personal relationship in adult life, at work, in community services, and globally. 2. They become socially aware of themselves and other people knowing their weaknesses and that of others and helping others to succeed also create in themselves a sense of fulfilment. 3. The students are able to apply practical tips to their personal live helping them discern from what is health and what is not, learning to critically accept what thrown at them through media, peer groups and entertainments. 4. The students learn to manage their time, their finances and know what are priorities and subordinates in their personal budgets and needs. 5. Helps to develop future leaders that understand the ternate of democratic society, by being able to accommodate other peoples views and diversity, recognising the varied opinions of variety of people, also the pupil knowing

their say is important in decision making are able to air their views without fear of discrimination and contribute to their own learning and feel a sense of society. 6. These methods also help students develop individual skills as well as learn to work in groups. The possible weaknesses of the formulations is that more emphasis may become laid on the well being of students leaving the main subject areas and areas of dying research need unattended.

My chosen education system will produce adults who are happy to have gone through school and acquire lots of skills to deal with every aspect of life and adapt easily to the ever changing world, in their personal life, in dealing with other people, in participating in politics and contributing their quota to governance and in their work places. They will be able to integrate into any system work with people irrespective of race, culture, religion and gender. Be good financial and cost managers and run their personal budgets with minimal excesses, Be good community leaders and followers, work well to enhance their community through participating in communal programs geared towards better communal life and well being. Be health conscious and cautious consumers of good and services and learn to manage their resources with minimal loses. Help others who are less privileged and share their talents for promoting human advancement and better living.

Activity 6 Science is a subject that inform and educate us about ourselves, our environment, our resources and how to develop them, it is very important to teach science in our schools, the subject help us understand ourselves and everything around us,it also helps us to be creative, there are lots of investigative practical activities that help students apart from knowing how things work be able to make things work themselves, this helps many students to easily feel comfortable with technological advancement around them and know the sources of this developments, and also build their confidence in their abilities to be creative and working with others in creative activities.

Activity 7 Write about ways in which entering the Knowledge Age could modify the aims of education. How relevant might the four functions of education, identified above by Trilling and Hood, be to the development of the Knowledge Age in your own country? Entering knowledge age will affect considerably how education is pursued and delivered. 1. there will be more demand for education, so many discoveries and technological advancements requires knowledgeable individual to keep them going this will prompt more people to pursue academic prowess.

2. Education will be more refined as more people get involved in educational programs, the global connections as a result of advanced communication tools like the internet and telephone systems, contribution to the society will require everyone developing new skills to meet with the demands of new economies, learning in areas like ,computer hardware and software engineering, communication engineering, data processing, information technology, and application of technology in trade processes, climate management, political and social networking etc.

3. Using available tools like modern technology will become more expedient in educational policies, getting acquainted with how to use the new technology and knowing them by dept will facilitate smooth integration into work life after school, and bring about personal fulfilment and enhancement, by introducing information technology into mainstream education sector will make this advancement available to both the rich and the poor and hence dispel the disparity and align everyone in a fast moving dynamic knowledge age.

4.

Educational aim will be geared towards working hand in hand with global research and advancement, the pace of knowledge have to correspond with the global advancement, which means education will aim at making contribution to global economy through research and practical investigation to bring about advancement.

The Relevance of the Four Function of Educational aims under knowledge age to my country

1. In terms of contributions to the society, new sets of skills are needed to meet the new opportunities brought about as a result of new technologies, we need more technical hands for repairs, installations and maintenance of new technological equipments introduced into the market daily, we also need to learn new ways of interacting with others and relate with government and our environment using the technological tools that are evolving through the knowledge age. 2. Power knowledge tools will help people communicate easily, develop themselves academically and socially, government are installing computers in public places and encouraging people to undergo courses that will empower them to fit into the changing world and uplift themselves, this create a sense of fulfilments and purpose. 3. The advancement in electronic media and internet have create great aware amongst people, informations necessary for carrying out our daily obligations to our community are easily available through this sources and makes our commitment to fulfilling our role to the society work faster and it also gives us a broader choice in purchasing what we need for our daily use. 4. Spain has gradually embraced globalisation process over the past few years by admitting lots of immigrants population through its tourism and beautiful weather most of whom have settled here, the integration process is still on going, it is expedient to have a set standards for carry over traditions and merging it with one another to allow for better co existence between people from different background.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericSoftwareDownloadIndex?cc=us&dl c=en&lc=en&softwareitem=pv-6... http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Other-Notebook-PC-questions/SP41377-ErrorHP-Active-Support-Library-Error/m-p/41404

Holding Back the Years -3:31 Simply Red