The educational tool, Accessible Studybase Learning Management Platform, is a web application that will boost teaching and learning. Students, teachers, and school administrators will find it invaluable.
THE fact that more Nigerian publishers are adopting technology to make learning and reading more fun was confirmed by one of the activities held at the 2024 Nigeria International Book Fair.
The Fair, held from May 8 to 10 at Oregun, Lagos, had the theme ‘Universal Basic Education and the Book Ecosystem: Setting the Agenda’ and, as usual, featured local and foreign participants.
One of the forward-thinking publishing outfits, the Ibadan, Oyo State-based Accessible Publishers Limited (formerly Rasmed Publishers), unveiled an innovative educational tool called Accessible Studybase Learning Management Platform during the Fair.
According to the promoters, the web application will generally boost teaching and learning in classrooms and school administration, as students, teachers and administrators will find it invaluable.
The launch event, themed ‘Leverage Technology to Enhance Learning and Reduce School Operational Cost’, featured players in the book industry, including the President of the Booksellers Association of Nigeria and Chair of Nigeria International Book Fair Trust, Mr Dare Oluwatuyi, President of Nigeria Publishers Association, Chief Cyril Uchenna Anioke, President of National Library Association, Pastor Dominic Omokaro and Secretary General of Pan-African Writers Association, Dr Wale Okediran.
Introducing the Studybase e-learning App platform, Mr Gbadega Adedapo, the Chief Executive Officer of Accessible Publishers Limited, said the COVID-19 pandemic made him realise the importance of leveraging technology for book publishing. He disclosed that this made him rebrand Rasmed Publications to Accessible Publishers Ltd in 2021, with a vision to make his products, including e-books, audiobooks, braille, virtual learning and Apps, more inclusive and accessible to all strata of the learning environment.
Adedapo said, “As an organisation that prides itself on making content accessible across all formats, we are excited to introduce our customised curriculum-based learning management software in Nigeria, Accessible Studybase Learning Management Platform.’ This virtual platform incorporated a teaching series for all the subjects in our various textbooks as approved by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), the educational regulatory body in Nigeria.
“Over the past few months, we have engaged highly qualified and seasoned teachers to virtually teach all subjects as presented in our textbooks, from elementary classes to Senior Secondary School classes, all in the bid to make learning and development easier for students and to augment physical teaching deficiencies for students both within and outside the school period.”
The publisher further explained what Accessible Studybase entails as an e-learning platform and gave reasons it has become imperative given the apparent deficiencies in Nigeria’s educational system, inferior teaching and learning environments, poor teacher remuneration, and lack of adequate teaching personnel.
He said, “Understanding our inspiration behind this project is essential. You’d agree that reading is ingrained in our daily lives whether we realise it or not. Much of our daily communication happens through social media engagement, text messages, emails, and messaging apps. Reading and learning are involved in our professional and academic lives and navigating our environment. In all of these, we realise that most of our reading and learning processes nowadays are 80% in digital form, that is, through our respective gadgets. Therefore, we thought it would be great to package our contents and book products to fit into what people are primarily interested in – the gadgets!
“Like the proverbial expression of Arab origin states, ‘If the mountain does not come to Mohammed, Mohammed will go to the mountain’, which means, ‘if things aren’t going your way, you’ll have to adjust to the way they are.’ In our organisation, we live by our name – Making Books Accessible Across all formats (e-book, audiobooks, braille, virtual learning, etc.), and this new product – Accessible Studybase, is a testament and proof of what is possible. The platform can provide Interactive multimedia content (PowerPoint slides, audio clips, images, etc) with captions and illustrations.
“More importantly, Accessible Studybase was borne out of the need to build resilience and to sustain the publishing industry beyond today. Covid-19 taught us resilience and catalysed change, innovation, and introspection, prompting individuals, societies, and organisations to re-evaluate their priorities, strengthen their resilience, and prepare for the future. Accessible Publishers has accelerated the adoption of digital technologies by taking advantage of the synergy between ICT and publishing to enhance the learning process and improve school operational cost.”
Despite his innovation, Adedapo assured that his outfit had not stopped physical books. “We still have physical books, but the e-learning platform provides leverage and serves as an additional resource from other experts’ viewpoints to further boost our knowledge and augment our curriculum-based textbooks. Aside from the content and virtual classes, the platform is robust and comprehensive.”
He highlighted other features of the Studybase e-learning app, including assisting “students in preparing ahead of BECE, NECO & WAEC examinations either with or without the supervision of teachers. There is a robust question bank for revisions, assignments, tests, and other practical exercises, and markings are automated. The contents are curriculum-compliant in line with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) standards. Students can access further learning materials from other teachers/instructors’ perspectives. The platform is subscription-based (yearly, termly, or monthly) and is for the use of schools, teachers, parents and individuals.”
The publisher also seized the opportunity to introduce three authors on his stable. They were Mrs. Bolaji Ladipo, who writes in Yoruba and has the 8-series ‘Yoruba Dun Yato Fun AwonOmodeatiAlakoobere’ to her credit; Funmi Ilori, founder of iRead Mobile Library; and AnoteAjeluorou, writer and culture journalist.
Guests at the unveiling commended Adedapo and his team for designing and launching the Accessible Studybase Learning Management Platform, calling it revolutionary.
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