SUNSHINE SMILE FOUNDATION ,INTEDH FUTA TRAIN TEACHERS ON DIGITAL LITERACY

Sunshine Smiles Foundation under the aegis of the Young Innovators Lab in partnership with the Institute of Digital Humanities and Technology Enhanced Learning (INTEDH) Federal University Technology Akure FUTA has organized a digital literacy training for teachers from underserved and low-income schools in Ondo state.

The first cycle of the one-month training which entails online and off line digital training sessions kickstarted at FUTA on the 11th September 2025.

While speaking at the event, the Director, INTEDH, Professor Titi Fola-Adebayo said “the aim of this training is to equip teachers with media and digital literary skills for 21st century instruction of students. It is imperative for teachers to join the moving train of technological advancements in pedagogical training. The era of the traditional setting of teaching where teachers hold final sway is no longer feasible. Learning is now transformational and knowledge transfer has become more dynamic with digital tools”.

The Director implored participants to be open to the evolving world of technology enhanced teaching and make concerted efforts to unlearn old methods and relearn more innovative methods of imparting knowledge to students effectively and efficiently in order to make their classes interactive and keeping with global best practices in education.

On her part, the founder, Sunshine Smiles foundation, Mrs. Bimpe Adejumo said “The foundation is committed to brightening the lives of children through joy- filled initiatives creating a positive impact. It’s a pleasure to launch our project in partnership with FUTA.

This vision is born from a belief that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive regardless of background. We are starting with teachers from underserved schools because it is a well-known fact that teachers are multipliers of impact. We are equipping you so that you can in turn equip and inspire students with these tools.

This digital training is not only to add to the existing knowledge you have but to enlighten and expose you to better and innovative teaching methods that have been made possible by the invention of digital tools. We hope that in the long run this will lead to the betterment of our children”.

One of the facilitators at the training, Professor Peter Aborisade stated that “Solving problems is the crux of digital literacy. Digital literacy is having the skills to use technology like computers, smartphones, internet safely and effectively and confidently for; Learning, teaching, communicating and problem solving. Technology should not just be consumed mindlessly but used creatively and intelligently. Arming yourself with the right knowledge will make you less susceptible to online scams and also provide you with the appropriate ICT skills to navigate teaching, learning and research”.
He highlighted Digital literacy skills to include critical thinking, internet safety, digital plagiarism, digital search skills, and online identity management while stating that basic skills should entail Internet know how, classroom tools, safety and smart tools.

Other facilitators such as Professor Funmi Bode-Sawe, Dr. Funmi Oguntade and Dr. Ibrahim Makinde took turns to speak on the Responsibilities of the online teacher, Using WhatsApp and Telegram for teaching and Teaching-learning environments: affordables and constraints.

The first cycle had teachers drawn from selected secondary schools in Akure such as Igoba High School, Akure Secondary Commercial School, Muslim Grammar School, Celestial High School, and CAC Grammar School.

According to its founders; “Sunshine Smiles foundation, a non-profit organization is committed to the betterment of the most vulnerable underprivileged children across Nigeria and through a diverse array of carefully curated initiatives, aims to create a lasting positive impact on the lives of these young Nigerians thereby contributing to their overall wellbeing and future prospects.”