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Benefits of technology in learning
As the world advances in learning, efforts have been made by man to make use of technological developments to enhance learning to be able to promote learning in all its forms and facilitate learning and acquisition of knowledge.
It is for this reason that the way we learn today is changing from one form to the other. Many ears ago, face-to-face learning was the common practice in many parts of the world. This is what is known as traditional learning system. Today, this mode of learning has changed.
TRADITIONAL LEARNING SYSTEM
In many places, the traditional way of learning is being combined with technology in learning. For example, the traditional method of learning is being enriched by technological advancement through PowerPoint presentations and online learning. Some tertiary institutions refer to online learning as alternative learning. This form of alternative learning helps people all over the world to access learning materials irrespective of where they are located and also the nature of their work schedule.
Learning is the process of acquiring new knowledge, skills or values. It deals also with updating already acquired knowledge. Books and apprenticeship were predominantly used in acquiring new skills, but nowadays, with the help of technology, everything has been made simpler. In the past, the main source of information was the library.
BENEFITS OF TECHNOLOGY
With the help of technological devices such as computers and routers, information can be accessed from almost any location. Also, technology has found a way to solve problems associated with the older systems of learning. What all this means is that life has been made simpler and that man can take advantage of the benefits of technology to improve the social wellbeing in terms of learning.
The use of technology in learning, it is clear, has come to stay because it has brought great improvement in line with advancing knowledge to various categories of learners irrespective of their levels or where they are physically located. If technology has made this possible then it will be unwise for anyone to do away with technology in learning since obviously this will turn back the clock of progress in society.
Technological development overall started in a simple, gradual process. Man started making use of stones and other natural gadgets to develop himself. With time, this advanced into simple metals such as cutlasses and other tools used by man to promote social development at a certain level. This process has continued gradually until today when sophisticated implements, tools and gadget have been manufactured for use by man.
COLLABORATION IN LEARNING
Technology has continued in advancement until today making it possible for computers, phones, and other devices to be used in learning. This development has proved positive in the sense that it has helped to facilitate learning.
Technology has improved collaboration in learning. This is because both teachers and learners can interact outside the classroom or learning centre. When students have questions, a platform can be created to enable students to ask these questions and contribute as well. Before the spread of technology, when students had problems with a course or topic of any sort, the library was the major option.
There could also be friends and family with experience, but this is not guaranteed and is highly unlikely. This merit of technology has gone a long way in learning. The disadvantage about this is the fact that the learner is limited to a particular learning resource when so many can be explored. This is one of the ways technology has rendered services to learners.
EFFECTIVE USE OF TIME
Due to unforeseen circumstances, there can be a situation where either the teacher or learner, or both, will not be able to make it to the class. When this is the case, valuable time is either lost or wasted, and the students or learners start to lag behind. Now, even when these events occur, students are still able to learn because the teacher can forward learning materials to them. For example, if a lecturer or instructor is sick and cannot make it to a class, he or she can show the class the areas to read for that session. This paves the way for effective use of time.
There are some people who study better when with other people. But what happens when they are home and there is no one to study with? Everyone has different ways of learning. There are visual, auditory, read-and-write and kinaesthetic learners. Some are a combination of the four learning styles. Based on this, it can be said that it is not everyone who can use the library because it is not everyone who studies by reading.
In other words, we can say that the library being the only source of information serves as a disadvantage to some. With the help of technology, tutorial videos, audio books, online articles and images can be accessed to suit the various styles that people use to study. Briefly, we can say that technology aids individual learning.
TECHNOLOGICAL SKILLS
Aside all this, it can also be said that it equips individuals with computer and other technological skills because of regular usage. Though what is being studied may not be about technology, it is very likely to acquire knowledge on how to use a technological device.
When a lay person goes to the library and that library is equipped with computers, the person can be taught some basic tasks or operations. These tasks may include turning on a computer, opening the browser and connecting to the internet and turning off a computer and so on.
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES
Some people may say technology has been a bad influence on the current generation and will be an even greater ‘disease’ to the up-and-coming generations. Some also say that learning and technology do not correlate because it serves as a distraction and increases laziness. This, however, is a very ignorant thing to say because technology has made learning very entertaining and has broadened the scope of learning also.
It was earlier stated that technology in learning boosts collaboration, makes up for time wasted, helps equip learners with technological skills and encourages individual learning. It is agreed that technology could be a menace in learning, but it is up to the user to determine that. Despite all this, technology has been effective with learning and has reaped so many benefits.
In conclusion, technology in learning can have its advantages and disadvantages. However, in the midst of the realities of today – pressure on time, staying in long distance spaces, difficulties in making oneself available for learning etc – it is clear that the benefits from technology in learning far overweigh continuous learning without technology or learning face to face.
By Dr. Kofi Amposah – Bediako
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Pradmat2013@gmail.com (0553318911)
When Abigail Fremah steps up to the Armwrestling table, the noise fades, the tension settles, and order takes over.
Despite a calm, but firm and meticulous disposition, she has become one of the quiet forces shaping Ghana’s growing reputation in the sport, not as an athlete, but a referee trusted on the continental stage.
Abigail’s journey into Armwrestling did not begin at the table. Like many Ghanaian sports enthusiasts, she grew up playing several disciplines. Football was her first love, but she also featured in volleyball and basketball during her school years. Sports, she says, was simply a way of life not just for her.
“It runs through the family. All my siblings are into sports,” she stated.
“I was involved in almost every sport in school, football, volleyball, netball, hockey; I did everything,” she recalls.
Her academic background in Health, Physical Education and Recreation laid a solid foundation for her sporting career. While on scholarship at the university (University of Cape Coast), she often used her modest budget to support young athletes, sometimes sharing skills and even T-shirts at programmes she attended. Giving back, she explains, has always been part of her motivation.
However, as she matured as an athlete, Abigail made a critical self-assessment.
“Armwrestling involves a lot of strength,” she admits. “Looking at my body type, I realised I couldn’t fit properly as a competitive athlete.”
That moment of honesty pushed her to a different trajectory but equally important path in sports; which is officiating.
During her National Service, she was encouraged by Mr Charles Osei Asibey, the President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), to consider officiating. He introduced her to a technical official, Mr Hussein Akuerteh Addy, who formally took her through the basics of Armwrestling officiating in 2021.
“I started as a case official,” she says. “We moved from region to region every week, officiating competitions. That’s where it all began.”
By 2022, Abigail was actively involved in national assignments, though she missed the African Championship that year. Her breakthrough came in 2023, when Ghana hosted the African Armwrestling Championship.
It was her first experience officiating at a major international competition and it changed everything.
“That was my first national and international exposure at the same time,” she says. “It really opened my eyes.”
Today, Abigail is a World Junior Armwrestling Referee, a status earned through performance, consistency and discipline. She explains that progression in officiating was not automatic.
“It’s all about performance, your appearance at African Championships, your conduct, how you handle pressure; that’s what takes you to the world level,” she stressed.
As a referee, Abigail’s priority is safety and fairness. Armwrestling, she notes, comes with risks, particularly injuries to the wrists, elbows, shoulders and arms.
“If athletes don’t follow the rules or refuse to listen to officials, injuries can happen,” she explains, adding that focus was everything.
Before every match, she ensures that all equipment which includes elbow pads, hand pegs and table alignment were properly set. Athletes are not allowed to cover their elbows, must grip correctly, and must follow the referee’s commands precisely.
“We make sure everything is fixed before the grip,” she says. “Once we say ‘Ready… Go’, there should be no confusion.”
She is also firm on discipline. Warnings are issued for infractions, and repeated misconduct attracts penalties.
“The referee must be respected, if you don’t listen, the rules will deal with you,” she says.
Abigail credits her confidence partly to her sporting family background. Her mother was a volleyball player, while other family members also participated in sports. Though they were initially concerned about her safety, her rise to the top reassured them.
“They were afraid at first,” she admits. “But they were also very proud, especially because some of them never got the opportunity to reach this level.”
Looking ahead, Abigail is optimistic about the future of Armwrestling in Ghana. In less than a decade, the country has produced African and world-level medalists, a sign, she believes, of great things to come for Ghana.
“Whenever we go out, we come back with medals such as gold and silver,” she says, and to her that was a sign of growth.
In the next five to ten years, Abigail sees herself rising to become a World Master Referee, the highest officiating level in the sport. Until then, her routine remains intense, training four times a week, working closely with athletes, standing on her feet for hours, and constantly refining her understanding of the rules.
“I love this sport,” she says simply. “That love is what keeps me going.”
Abigail encouraged women to be bold and intentional about their place in sports saying “don’t limit yourself because of fear or stereotypes.”
She also urged women to invest in learning, discipline and consistency, stressing that respect was earned through performance.
For Abigail, as Ghana’s armwrestlers continue to make their mark, she will remain where she is most effective at the table, ensuring the game is played right.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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As he had promised Aperkeh, the elderly man and his wife and three daughters stopped by Aperkeh’s parents’ house. Mr Amando and his family were preparing to settle in for the night.
“Brother Ben and family”, Mr Joshua Amando said warmly, “although I know you are here on a matter that can hardly be described as joyous, it is still good to see you. You are welcome. Please sit down while I bring you water”.
“Yes, we will take water, even though we are hardly thirsty, because this is our home”.
“Okay, Ben”, he started after they had drank, “Let me go straight to the point. My daughter Priscilla has told me about the goings on between her brother Aperkeh and our daughter Stella.
Before informing me, Priscilla had expressed concern to Aperkeh about some habits he is adopting, especially the late nights and the drinking. She tells me that one Saturday morning, she was there when Stella complained about his drinking and some girls who had come to the house to look for him, and he assaulted her.
I called him and complained, but all he could say was that I don’t know what caused him to react that way, so I could not judge him. Now he does not answer my calls.
I have sent Priscilla to his house to call him, but he has refused to come. Unfortunately, Ben, my son is a much different person than the young boy who completed university and started work at the bank. I am really embarrassed about his treatment of Stella”.
“Joshua, let me assure you that even though what is happening is very unfortunate, it will not affect our relationship.
We have been friends since childhood, and I thought that with their parents’ blessing, the relationship between Aperkeh and Stella would grow to become a blessing to all of us. But there appears to be a real challenge now.
Stella thinks that Aperkeh wants her out of his house, and indeed Aperkeh himself told me that, about an hour ago.
So I’m taking my daughter home. I suggest that you do what you can to straighten him out, but if it does not work out, let’s accept the situation and continue to be one family.
I am sure that being the well behaved girl that she is, Stella will meet a young man who will cherish her. Fortunately, this problem is happening early in the day, so they can sort things out if possible, or move on with their lives if they are unable to stay together”.
“I’m really grateful for that, Ben. I will do my best in the next few days to reason with him, because apart from the relationship with Stella, Aperkeh is risking his job and career with this lifestyle.
A good job and salary offers an opportunity to gather momentum in life, not to destroy yourself”.
“Okay Brother Joshua. We will say goodnight. I hope to hear positive news from you”.
As he descended in the lift from the fourth to the ground floor, Aperkeh wondered who would be waiting at the reception to see him at nine on Monday morning. He had spent good time with both of his new girls during the weekend, so it had to be someone else. He got out of the lift and pulled a face when he saw Priscilla.
“Priscilla”, he said as he sat down by her, “what do you want here? You know Monday morning is a busy time at the bank. I am a very busy person, so say what you want, I have work to do”.
“You are very funny, Aperkeh. You are telling me, your sister, that you have work to do, so I should hurry up? Okay, Dad says I should advise you to come home tonight, because he wants to discuss the issue of Stella with you. He sent me to you twice, and you did not come.
He has tried to call you quite a number of times, but you have refused to answer his calls. He says that if you do not come tonight, you will be very surprised at what he will do. He says you will not like it at all, so better come.
“What is all this? Why won’t you people leave me alone? Stella is very disrespectful. I told her that if she wanted to continue to live in my house, she must obey me. It is that simple.
She chose to continue ordering me about, controlling me in my own house, so I told her that if she could not live under my conditions she should leave. And she left. In fact, her own father came and took her away. So what again?’’
“How did she disobey or control you? Was she complaining about your continuous drinking and late nights? And did you slap her on several occasions because of that? Did you tell her that if she could not live under your conditions she should leave? You actually said that to her father? You have forgotten that before she came to live with you, our two parents met and agreed, and gave it their blessing?’
“Why don’t you leave, Priscilla? I don’t have to listen to all that”. “Okay, I will go. Your father who gave birth to you and educated you to university level sends me to you, and you ask me to leave? I wish you would defy him, and refuse to come home as he’s telling you, because he is planning to give you the discipline you badly need. Let me tell you. Stella is such a beautiful and decent girl, and I assure you that someone will grab her before you say Jack. You are only 30 years old, and you have already become a drunkard”.
As he walked towards the lift, Aperkeh decided on what to do. He would go home, and calmly listen to what his father had to say. The old man was very unpredictable, and he wouldn’t dare ignore him. So he would take all the insults and threats, but as for Stella she was history. According to Priscilla, Stella was beautiful and all that, but she had not seen the two curvaceous princesses who were all over him, ready to do anything he asked. And these were not barely literate waakye girls, but university graduates from wealthy homes, really classy girls. With stuff like that, who needs a waakye girl? He smiled as he took his seat.
A few minutes to five, Aperkeh was packing up to leave for home to meet his dad when his phone rang. It was Priscilla.
“Aperkeh, Dad says you don’t need to bother to come. Stella’s dad says she came to him early this morning to plead that she would rather stay at home than return to your house. She thinks you are already decided to be rid of her, and she does not want to risk being assaulted again. So it’s done. You can go ahead and enjoy the nice life you have started”.
Before he could tell her to go to hell, Priscilla hanged up the line. He was partially stung that his dad had virtually cut him off. The last thing anyone would want was to fall out of relationship with his own family, which had always supported him.
But the truth was he was no longer interested in Stella. What was wrong with going by one’s feelings? He could only hope that one day, his parents and sister would try to reason with him.
By Ekow de Heer
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