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Oludotun harps on importance of ICT to Physics, as he bows out of Crawford University in style

Crawford University’s First Valedictory Lecturer, Professor James Samuel Oladunjoye Oludotun (left) and Crawford University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Reuben Jiya Kolo at the event.

The importance of Information Communication Technology (ICT), Educational Technology, and Instructional materials, has again been brought to fore, as important tools to ameliorate and shore up physics as a subject at all levels.

Professor James Samuel Oladunjoye Oludotun, an academic Professor of physics, disclosed this at a valedictory lecture organised in his honour as he retires from Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State.

In his lecture title: “Improving the teaching and learning of school physics in Nigeria,” Prof. Oludotun said for the of love physics as a subject/course, which serves as a bedrock of professional careers in natural and applied sciences – academic researcher, acoustics consultant, clinical scientist, geophysicist, and others, government at all levels, stakeholders in education, universities, tertiary institutions and teachers in secondary education teaching and learning processes must comply with application of up to date instructional gadgets and ICT resources.

“In addition, teachers, educational facilitators and lecturers are to be exposed and equipped with ICT knowledge and capacity building in order to ameliorate and shore up physics as a subject at all levels.”

He recalled that in 1985, the then Director of NTA Education Programmes, Late News Broadcaster, Mr Bode Alalade, wrote an article in one of the Daily Newspapers on the establishment of Instructional Television (ITV) to assist science learners (both young and old) in the society, in the study of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics.

“In response to the article, Dr (Mrs) A. O. Adeagbo, a Research Fellow in Mathematics Education and I, a Research Fellow in Physics Education responded by showing our interest to take part in the NTA (ITV) project. It was observed that Physics and Mathematics were produced and transmitted from Lagos, while Chemistry and Biology were produced and transmitted from Kaduna. The production and the presentation of the Physics programme were part of my contributions to the improvement of teaching and learning of the new Physics School Curriculum in Nigeria.

“The objectives of the NTA’s ITV programmes were as follows: to supplement and complement the efforts of the teacher in the field and not to replace him; to broaden and deepen the scope of knowledge available through formal school channels; to encourage and teach vocational skills at various levels; to relate learning to contemporary life and enhance the inculcation and application of general principles as opposed to rote learning.

“These objectives were laudable for the development of the country in terms of the communication necessary for science (Physics) and Mathematics.” He said the goal of the NTA ITV was focused on improving the quality of teaching and learning of the New School Physics and Mathematics Curricula through broadcasting, which is a massive and effective mode of reaching a large audience.

Recall that the Science (Physics) and Mathematics programmes were transmitted in the evenings (4.00 pm to 6.0 pm) Monday to Friday each week.

“The Physics and Mathematics NTA ITV programmes were on for almost three years, from 1986 to 1988 when they were stopped for lack of fund to keep them in the air.”
Oludotun concluded that, “The use of ITV and other forms of scientific video-films in the classrooms will be added material for teachers to enrich the teaching and learning of Physics and Mathematics. It is hoped that the above prospects will open the doors to better research into learners’ perception of the world around them and the subject evaluation in terms of skills, comprehension and application.”

In response, Crawford University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Reuben Jiya Kolo, presented an award of meritorious service to Professor Oludotun for his great contribution to the growth and development of Crawford University; and appreciated prowess behind the elucidating lecture delivered that contained myriad of statistical analyses.

Kolo advised lecturers and all participants to make good use of ICT infrastructure, educational resources and facilities provided for teaching and learning activities in various teaching and learning processes in the University system.

To his credit, Oludotun, who was born on September 19, 1943, was described as an assiduous teacher and lecturer of physics for several decades.

An indigene of Ilesha, in Ilesha East Local Council, Osun State, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Physics Education in 1976 from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife after an NCE from University of Lagos, Akoka in 1971 and had his Master’s degree in Physics Education from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan in 1981 and a Ph. D degree in Physics Education (Programme Evaluation) from the same University in 2001 before he later obtained M. Sc degree in Physics (Solar Energy) from the Lagos State University, Ojo in 2014. He taught at May Flower School in Ikene, from 1971 – 1973.

After his first degree in 1976 Prof. Oludotun joined the Federal Ministry of Education and was posted to teach at the Federal Government Girls College, New Bussa in 1977; after his Master’s degree in 1981, he was employed by the Comparative Education Study andAdaptation Centre (CESAC), University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba in 1985.

He was later employed by the Correspondence and Open Studies Institute COSIT, now Distance Learning Institute (DLI), University of Lagos, Akoka Lagos in 1990 where he rose to the position of Deputy Director in 2001 and retired on September 19, 2008.

He then joined the Crawford University, Faith City, Igbesa, Ogun State in October 2008 and became a Professor of Science Education (Physics) in 2018 having held many positions of responsibility, including those of Acting Dean, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Acting Director of Quality Assurance and Training Unit and Dean of Postgraduate School.

Professor Oludotun had teaching experience at secondary and tertiary education levels in Nigeria and Zambia and experience in research and curriculum development at all levels of education in Nigeria.

He is a member of many professional development associations including the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN) and the Curriculum Organization of Nigeria (CON) and has made valuable contributions to Nigeria Education with over 56 publications to his credit. He had travelled to places like Malaysia, Zambia and Pretoria, (South Africa).

Coincidentally, he is happily married to Mrs. Oluyemi Oludotun, a retired French Language teacher. They are blessed with four children who are well placed in their professions.