By: Tochi Onyeubi
In commemoration of the World Literacy Day, the Reading Association of Nigeria, RAM has called on all, to take the issue of digital literacy serious.
Speaking with the Chairman, Reading Association of Nigeria Imo state chapter, Dr. Abah Ikwue, who went down memory lane, explained that, there used to be literacy departments and campaigns in the past, but due to lack of government concerted efforts, such activities are no longer given attention, hence the need for the revival of reading culture.
He maintained that the association thought it wise to promote it as their responsibility considering that, reading has the capacity to change the mind.
Dr. Ikwue noted, that the paradigm shift to digital culture in literacy with respect to the digital age, has made leadership garner a new definition especially as ones work can be accessed globally.
He cautioned against seeing literacy only through the lens of manual and traditional knowledge of reading and writing alone.
The lecturer at the English Department of Alvan Ikoku College of Education, maintained that times have changed and the world is shifting towards digital literacy occasioned by the pandemic and called on the government, to put more action to boost information technology.
Recalling how he headed last year’s conference of the National association where he spoke on the digital age, according to him, little did know the covid pandemic will change the tides in communication and knowledge sharing in all spheres of human endeavour.
This is said played out, as his students took advantage of the internet and the experience was a beautiful one.
” Recently our department held lectures online and we have finished a whole semester teaching online, using google classrooms and it was fantastic despite being a new engagement, it was very fantastic “, He reeled off happily.
” All you need to do is plan your lecture topic, record it in audio and video, the send students “.
Other institutions according to him, have held conferences through virtual means like webinar zoom and google platforms, these he stressed are what literacy education seeks to achieve.
Dr. Ikwue Abah, is also the National President of Pan African Association of Scholars in Humanities Social sciences and Editor to many International journals.
