Education/News/Drafts/EduWiki Nigeria: Advancing Digital Literacy in Schools.

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EduWiki Nigeria: Advancing Digital Literacy in Schools.

Summary: EduWiki Nigeria Collabrated with Learnovation Network Foundation to explore the power of Building a safer Digital Space: Federal Government Boys College (FGBC) Wiki Club as case study.

Digital Literacy Essentials

https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Learnovation_Network_Foundation in collaboration with https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/EduWiki_Nigeria, hosted a seminar themed “Building a Safer Digital Future: The Essentials of Online Safety and Privacy.” The first training session was facilitated by Linason Blessing who presented on Essentials of Online Safety and Privacy . The second session was led by Oby Ezeilo, co-founder of EduWiki Nigeria and founder of the FGBC Wiki Club. She talked about how digital initiatives can transform education through Wiki Clubs. She walked the participants through the establishment of the FGBC Wiki Club in Abuja and its activities.

In today’s digital world, equipping students with essential digital literacy skills is more important than ever. Wiki Club Federal Government Boys College Abuja was established in November 2023 through the collaborative efforts of Oby Ezeilo, Federal Government Boys College (FGBC) Administration, and EduWiki Nigeria. This initiative aims to empower students by teaching them how to navigate the digital space safely, access and contribute to open knowledge, and develop research skills.

The Wiki Club was created to bridge the knowledge gap in digital literacy by introducing students to key concepts such as:

✔ Kiwix – an offline Wikipedia reader that allows students to access knowledge without internet connectivity.
✔ Online Safety and Security – educating students on how to protect their privacy and manage their digital footprint.
✔ Information Literacy – teaching students how to evaluate and verify information online.
✔ Digital Citizenship and Media Literacy – promoting responsible online behavior and critical thinking.
✔ Wikimedia and Online Collaboration – encouraging students to contribute to global knowledge through Wikimedia projects.
✔ Volunteerism-

Strategies Employed

The FGBC Wiki Club employs a variety of strategies to make digital literacy both fun and educational:

✔ Trainings & Edit-a-thons – Students participate in hands-on training sessions to learn digital skills which they also edit on wikidata.

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✔ Integration with School Curriculum – Aligning with academic subjects enhances relevance.
✔ Encouraging Active Learning – Students are encouraged to explore, create, and collaborate on digital projects.
✔ Digital Storybook Reading – Students engage with open-source storybooks on platforms like Story Weaver to foster a love for reading.
✔ Community Engagement- Participated in the school inter house sports by organizing a match past where we came second best. Participated in Africa Day Celebration through cultural dance and native food exhibitions.
✔ Train the Trainer

Impact on Students

The FGBC Wiki Club has had a profound impact on students, fostering lifelong learning and knowledge-sharing. Some of the key benefits include:

✔ Development of Research Skills – Students learn how to access reliable information and analyze data critically.
✔ Improved Academic Performance – Digital literacy enhances students’ ability to study effectively.
✔ Civic and Community Engagement – The initiative instills a sense of responsibility in students to contribute to their communities.
✔ Enhanced Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving – Students develop the ability to assess information and make informed decisions.
✔ Mentorship and Leadership – Older students mentor younger ones, creating a culture of knowledge transfer.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

Despite its successes, the Wiki Club has faced some challenges, including: ➔Internet connectivity

➔ Time commitment

➔ Resource management and availability.

➔ copyright and licensing issues

➔ limited access to devices and space

➔ software and tool limitations

➔ Digital divide

The success of the FGBC Wiki Club highlights the potential for similar initiatives to be adopted in schools across Nigeria and beyond. By embracing digital literacy, schools can empower students with the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world. With more educators like Oby Ezeilo leading the charge, the future of education