International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume IX, Issue VIII, August 2022 | ISSN 2321–2705
A Reflective approach to Pandemic and Academic Activities in Nigeria
Olatunbosun Emmanuel OGUNSEEMI, Oladele Dennis OMODARA,
Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, Nigeria
Abstract: Pandemic is an enormous challenge to education systems worldwide, and this viewpoint suggests to practitioners and policymakers a need for pragmatic approach to cope with various crisis that may be affecting academic activities in the world, and particularly in Nigeria. Moreover, a reflective view of this development is necessary to provoke adaptation and adjustment as a result of this new ecosystem of practice. In addition, reflective practice is an ongoing process that practitioners in every profession should adopt in order to build resilience to overcome challenging circumstances in such practices. Therefore, this is a pragmatic discourse of;
1. Adaptation to the new realities
2. Pragmatic Pedagogy
Keywords: Pragmatism, Academic, Pandemic, Pedagogy, Reflection, Adaptation, Ecosystem
I. INTRODUCTION
The twenty first century has seen an incredible growth worldwide in the provision of education at all levels. Nevertheless, Nigeria education systems have faced its greatest challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic when schools were ordered to switch from face-to-face instructions to an Emergency Remote Education. This practice is unprecedented in many countries of the world Nigeria inclusive, and it is different from the usual online teaching, e-learning, m-learning or planned practices such as distance learning in education. Therefore, it is obvious that education system in Nigeria was not designed in a way to prepare for emergency times and situations like the COVID-19 pandemic. This gap was eventually exposed when there was total close down of schools, and face-to-face instructions to settle for online lessons, radio and television.
The unexpected switch consequent upon the discovery of novel corona virus pandemic appears to be traumatic for nearly every instructor and even students who have now become used to face-to-face instructions. Moreover, parents and other parties that are involved in educational processes were overburdened because of these changes that necessitated alternative methods for monitoring educational progress as a result of reliance on online solutions. Pandemic and migration to a new normal in instructional delivery was not without its challenges of improvised online solutions and emergency online methods despite the global usage and popularity of online learning in education (Hodges, Moores, Lockee, Trust and Bond, 2020).
Emergency Remote Education was a new development and norms in most schools in Nigeria to upload