Beyond Borders: Leveraging Technology to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals in Education

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33084/ijue.v2i2.8586

Keywords:

Technology in Education, Educational Equity, Personalized Learning, Digital Divide, Sustainability

Abstract

This study examines the transformative role of technology in education system and its potential to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through a systematic review of 51 scholarly sources, the research analyzes how technological innovations are addressing critical challenges such as accessibility, quality, and educational inequality in respect to Nigerian education system. The findings reveal that digital tools and online platforms significantly expand educational access, reduce disparities between well-resourced and under-resourced schools, and support lifelong learning through flexible, on-demand resources. Personalized learning technologies, which adapt content to individual student needs, are shown to enhance student engagement and improve learning outcomes. Additionally, interactive tools like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are recognized for their effectiveness in simplifying complex concepts. Advances in data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) have also improved educational management by optimizing decision-making and resource distribution. Despite these gains, the study emphasizes the persistent challenge of the digital divide, where unequal access to technology and the internet exacerbates educational inequities. The research calls for targeted policies to ensure equitable access to digital tools and connectivity for all students. Furthermore, the study highlights how technology contributes to environmental education and sustainability by promoting sustainable practices and providing essential learning resources. As technological advancements continue, their role in overcoming educational barriers and driving sustainable global development is expected to grow.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Semiu Olawale Makinde , Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Nigeria

Bola Mariam Sulyman , Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Nigeria

Abdulmuhsin Ibrahim, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Nigeria

References

Adamu, O. B., Bukar, K. W., & Gazali, K. A. Y. (2024). Effect of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on Teacher Education in Dutse Local Government Area, Jigawa State of Nigeria. African Journal of Humanities and Contemporary Education Research, 14(1), 129-134. https://doi.org/10.62154/q7abtm95

Ahlf, M., McNeil, S., Nguyen, P. (2024). Open Educational Resources: Time, Resources and Sustainability in an Ephemeral Digital World. In: Cole, D.R., Rafe, M.M., Yang-Heim, G.Y.A. (eds) Educational Research and the Question(s) of Time. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-3418-4_19

Ahmad, E. A. (2024). Revolutionizing learning: leveraging social media platforms for empowering open educational resources. International Journal of e-Learning and Higher Education (IJELHE), 19(1), 83-106. https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/91995

Akinwale, A. A. (2023). Gender equity and social progress: empowering women and girls to drive sustainable development in sub–Saharan Africa. International Journal of Innovation Research and Advanced Studies, 2(2). https://harvardpublications.com/hijiras/article/view/66

Alam, M. J., Reza, S. A., Ogawa, K., & Ahsan, A. H. M. (2024). Sustainable employment for vocational education and training graduates: the case of future skills matching in Bangladesh. International Journal of Training Research, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/14480220.2024.2308224

Asad, M. M., Naz, A., Churi, P., & Tahanzadeh, M. M. (2021). Virtual reality as pedagogical tool to enhance experiential learning: a systematic literature review. Education Research International, 2021(1), 7061623. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/7061623

Bates, T. (2022). Teaching in a Digital Age. https://eduq.info/xmlui/handle/11515/35120

Big-Alabo, S., & Opuowei, J. Z. (2024). Rethinking Nigeria’s Development: The Transformative Power of Ethics, Education and Religion. Futurity Philosophy, 3(2), 66-83. https://doi.org/10.57125/FP.2024.06.30.04

de Souza Zanirato Maia, J., Bueno, A. P. A., & Sato, J. R. (2023). Applications of Artificial Intelligence Models in Educational Analytics and Decision Making: A Systematic Review. World, 4(2), 288-313. https://doi.org/10.3390/world4020019

Di Pietro, G., Biagi, F., Costa, P., Karpiński, Z., & Mazza, J. (2020). The likely impact of COVID-19 on education: Reflections based on the existing literature and recent international datasets. JRC Technical Report. https://doi.org/10.2760/126686

Dimmock, C., Tan, C. Y., Nguyen, D., Tran, T. A., & Dinh, T. T. (2021). Implementing education system reform: Local adaptation in school reform of teaching and learning. International Journal of Educational Development, 80, 102302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2020.102302

Edache, S. S., & Gaiya, B. A. (2024). Intersectionality of inequality and poverty in Nigeria. Identity, social inclusion and sustainable development in Nigeria, 11.

Georgiou, Y., Tsivitanidou, O., & Ioannou, A. (2021). Learning experience design with immersive virtual reality in physics education. Educational Technology Research and Development, 69(6), 3051-3080. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-021-10055-y

Govindarajoo, M. V., Selvarajoo, N. A. D., & Ali, M. S. (2022). Factors contributing to poor academic achievement among low performing pupils: A case study. Asian Journal of University Education, 18(4), 981-997. https://doi.org/10.24191/ajue.v18i4.20008

Hajj-Hassan, M., Chaker, R., & Cederqvist, A. M. (2024). Environmental Education: A Systematic Review on the Use of Digital Tools for Fostering Sustainability Awareness. Sustainability, 16(9), 3733. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093733

Haleem, A., Javaid, M., Qadri, M. A., & Suman, R. (2022). Understanding the role of digital technologies in education: A review. Sustainable operations and computers, 3, 275-285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susoc.2022.05.004

Hassan, K., & Naoual, O. T. (2024). Leveraging technology for equity: A literature review on e-inclusion and its potential to advance young people's socioeconomic inclusion. Revue Internationale de la Recherche Scientifique, 2(4), 1936-1952. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13294541

Ibironke, O. H., & Bunmi, F. A. (2024). Managing and eradicating poverty through education amongst teachers of selected secondary schools in Lagos State, Nigeria. Educational perspectives, 12(3), 19-32. https://educationalperspectives.org.ng/upload_file/Onasanya%20et%20al%202024.pdf

Ihebom, B., & Uko, J. O. (2020). Challenges and prospects of secondary education in Nigeria. International Journal of Scientific Research in Education, 13(4), 670-688. https://www.ijsre.com.ng/assets/vol.%2C-13(4)-bartholomew-ihebom.pdf

Itam, W. P., Abang, M. O., Eze, E. A., & Takon, M. B. (2024). Educational Technology and Students Academic Performance in Health Training Institutions in Cross River State, Nigeria. International Journal of Health and Psychology Research, 12(1), 58-103.

Jamil, S., & Muschert, G. (2024). The COVID-19 pandemic and E-learning: The digital divide and educational crises in Pakistan’s universities. American Behavioral Scientist, 68(9), 1161-1179. https://doi.org/10.1177/00027642231156779

Jha, A., & Jha, N. (2022). Exploring the role of Ed-Tech Start-Ups and digital divide in online learning during the coronavirus pandemic in the Indian education system. In Handbook of Research on Adapting Remote Learning Practices for Early Childhood and Elementary School Classrooms (pp. 222-248). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-8405-7.ch014

Karim, M. R., Ahmed, E. A., & Banerjee, M. (2024). Rural-Urban disparity in students’ academic achievement in Mathematics in btr, assam, in the 21st century. Conhecimento & diversidade, 16(41), 160-181. https://doi.org/10.18316/rcd.v16i41.11426

Lawrence, A. W., Ihebuzor, N., & Lawrence, D. O. (2020). Some challenges militating against developing countries achieving SDG 4 on targets: Nigeria as case study. Modern Economy, 11(7), 1307-1328. https://doi.org/10.4236/me.2020.117093

Leal Filho, W., Will, M., Shiel, C., Paço, A., Farinha, C. S., Orlovic Lovren, V., ... & Skouloudis, A. (2021). Towards a common future: revising the evolution of university-based sustainability research literature. International journal of sustainable development & world ecology, 28(6), 503-517. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2021.1881651

Makinde, S. O., Ajani, Y. A., & Abdulrahman, M. R. (2024). Smart Learning as Transformative Impact of Technology: A Paradigm for Accomplishing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Education. Indonesian Journal of Educational Research and Technology (IJERT), 4 (3), 213-224. https://ejournal.upi.edu/index.php/IJERT/article/view/66097/0

Matsieli, M., & Mutula, S. (2024). COVID-19 and Digital Transformation in Higher Education Institutions: Towards Inclusive and Equitable Access to Quality Education. Education Sciences, 14(8), 819. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14080819

Nwosu, C. F. (2024). Systemic remediation: Approaching sustainable development narratives from the Nigerian Afro-Igbo Mmadụ-perspective. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-61909-0

Obadahun, S. O., Kadir, N. A., & Abu Bakar, M. Z. (2024). Training and development of public university academics in Nigeria and sustainable development goals (SDGs). African Identities, 22(2), 323-336. https://doi.org/10.1080/14725843.2021.2021851

Ojo, A. E., & Salman, A. A. (2024). Exploration of Universal Basic Education Policy and its impact on Overall Education Quality of Schools in Nigeria. British Journal of Education, 12(3), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.37745/bje.2013/vol12n317

Olubiyi, T. O. (2024). Achieving Sustainable Development Goal Four (4) in Africa: Spotlighting the role of quality education and innovation orientation. Economics, Management and Sustainability, 9(1), 105-118. https://doi.org/10.14254/jems.2024.9-1.8

Oluwatosin, A. M., & Bolanle, O. F. (2024). Teachers’ education in Nigeria: challenges and the way forward. World Scientific News, 188, 67-80. https://worldscientificnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/WSN-188-2024-67-80.pdf

Omweri, F. S. (2024). Youth-Led Policy Advocacy in Africa: A Qualitative Analysis of Generation Z’s Mobilization Efforts against Fiscal Legislation in Kenya and its Implications for Democratic Governance in the Continent. International Journal of Innovative Scientific Research, 2(3), 1-22. https://journals.worldbiologica.com/ijisr/article/view/67

Opoku, A., Ekung, S., Kugblenu, G., & Mushtaha, E. S. (2024). Education for sustainable development, the built environment, and the sustainable development goals. In The Elgar Companion to the Built Environment and the Sustainable Development Goals (pp. 178-194). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035300037.00019

Outhred, R., & Turner, F. (2020). Prospective evaluation of GPE’s country-level support to education. Country level evaluation: Nigeria, Final Report–Year, 2.

Pane, J. F., Steiner, E. D., Baird, M. D., & Hamilton, L. S. (2017). Continued progress: Promising evidence on personalized learning. RAND Corporation.

Raj, C. S. (2021). Rights to nowhere: The IDEA's inadequacy in high-poverty schools. Colum. Hum. Rts. L. Rev., 53, 409. https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/colhr53&div=12&id=&page

Sennuga, S. O., Bamidele, J., Chinwuba, M. A., & Orire, R. (2023). Exploring the Relationship Between Education and Poverty Reduction in Nigeria: A Critical Review. International Journal of Education and Evaluation, 9(9), 45-63.

Spero, T. A. (2022). Global citizenship education as bounded self-formation in contemporary higher education internationalisation projects. Globalisation, Societies and Education, 20(3), 349-364. https://doi.org/10.1080/14767724.2021.1896999

Sterling, S. (2016). A Commentary on Education and Sustainable Development Goals. Journal of Education for Sustainable Development, 10(2), 208-213. https://doi.org/10.1177/0973408216661886

Sun, Y., & Xu, X. (Eds.). (2024). The Development of Personal Learning Environments in Higher Education: Promoting Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learner Autonomy. Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003285243

Timotheou, S., Miliou, O., Dimitriadis, Y., Sobrino, S. V., Giannoutsou, N., Cachia, R., & Ioannou, A. (2023). Impacts of digital technologies on education and factors influencing schools' digital capacity and transformation: A literature review. Education and information technologies, 28(6), 6695-6726. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11431-8

King, J., & South, J. (2017). Reimagining the role of technology in higher education: A supplement to the national education technology plan. US Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology, 1-70.

Udanoh, M. U., & Zouria, A. (2023). Impact of investment in EdTech: Government and entrepreneurial partnership venture in education in North and West Africa. Advances in Educational Research and Evaluation, 4(1), 233-238. https://doi.org/10.25082/AERE.2023.01.003

UNESCO. (2020). Global Education Monitoring Report 2020: Inclusion and Education-All Means All. UN.

UNESCO. (2021). Reimagining our futures together: A new social contract for education. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000379707.locale=e

United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. United Nations General Assembly. https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/transformingourworld

Van Dijk, J. (2020). The digital divide. John Wiley & Sons.

Voogt, J., Knezek, G., Cox, M., Knezek, D., & ten Brummelhuis, A. (2018). Under which conditions does ICT have a positive impact on teaching and learning? A Call to Action. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2729.2011.00453.x

World Bank (2019). Bridging the digital divide in education.

Wright, C., Ritter, L. J., & Wisse Gonzales, C. (2022). Cultivating a collaborative culture for ensuring sustainable development goals in higher education: An integrative case study. Sustainability, 14(3), 1273. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031273

Downloads

Published

2024-12-31

How to Cite

Makinde , S. O. ., Sulyman , B. M. ., & Ibrahim, A. . (2024). Beyond Borders: Leveraging Technology to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals in Education. International Journal of Universal Education, 2(2), 90–100. https://doi.org/10.33084/ijue.v2i2.8586