Private universities in the country have been urged to
evolve teaching techniques that would develop both the oral
communications and creativity skills in their students in order to equip
them with the fast growing networking of the 21st century global
teamwork in their various disciplines.
The President, Reinhardt University, Waleska, Georgia,
USA, Prof. Kina Mallard, gave the advice in a paper titled, “Workforce
Training and Development Needs Of The 21st Century; The Role Of Private
Universities”, delivered during the weekend at the 2nd Distinguished
Lecture of Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo in Burutu Local Government
Area of Delta State.
Prof. Mallard who emphasised the need to bridge the gap
between the formal method of learning where students were confined to
their course of studies throughout their duration in higher
institutions, noted that the global trends now combines teaching in both
students discipline and liberal arts skills in order to develop
independent minds.
According to her, “Focus on workforce needs without
sacrificing fundamental courses. Many universities, including Reinhardt,
are strategically growing new academic programs in areas such as health
care, computer science and cyber security. These are high-demand,
vocational skills- based professions that build on the liberal arts”.
“Colleges and universities are increasing their focus on
internships, externships and practical real world experiences before
graduation. These experiences need to be tied to student learning
outcomes and offered in every major”.
The visiting Lecturer stated that, “faculty should adapt
their teaching to meet the way students today learn. As institutions of
higher learning with a commitment to prepare our students for the
competencies and skills, we need to have the hard discussions about how
we prepare our students. Teaching liberal acts and skills in an active
and challenging way helps develop independent thinkers and workers”.
“Requiring students to take a more active role in their
learning increases their problem solving, collaboration, oral
communication and creativity skills. Universities cannot expect
Professors who learned by the sage on a stage method to automatically
embrace new pedagogy. Moving from passive to engaged and active learning
takes persuasion, courage and faculty development training”.
Prof. Mallard also noted that, “the use of technology in
teaching has moved beyond a novelty to a necessity. Faculty training in
best practices for using technology to engage students should be part of
annual faculty development workshops. For those who are reticent about
their technological skills or intimidated by what they don’t know, I
suggest student technology assistants for classes
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