INTRODUCTION their teaching methods

Аннотация

INTRODUCTION their teaching methods. Liguori and Winkler The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought (2020) highlighted the importance of transitioning unprecedented challenges to educational systems from traditional learning paradigms to e-learning worldwide, including Nigeria, where schools faced across all educational levels, arguing that e- prolonged closures (Johnson et al., 2020). In Akwa learning not only provides a more accessible Ibom, the government prioritized the health and platform for education but also engages students safety of students by temporarily shutting down in ways that traditional methods may not. secondary schools, prompting a rapid shift in educational delivery methods. As traditional Teaching, fundamentally, is the process of classrooms became inaccessible, both private and transferring knowledge from an educator to a public secondary schools quickly adopted online learner. This involves the careful identification of teaching and learning strategies to ensure learning objectives, the development of continuity in education. Recognizing the urgent appropriate educational resources, and the need for consistency in educational standards, the implementation of effective teaching strategies. Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Education took Koko (2015) elaborated on this definition by proactive steps to centralize these online describing teaching as a concerted effort by trained initiatives, facilitating a more uniform approach to personnel to create a supportive learning remote learning across all secondary institutions. environment. This environment is crucial for enabling students to cultivate essential skills and During the pandemic, teachers began to recognize capabilities that will serve them well in their and appreciate the significant advantages that academic and professional lives. In this context, technology could bring to the educational process. Azmi and Nurzatulshima (2017) further asserted They employed a variety of digital tools and that teaching is fundamentally about imparting resources, such as e-books, virtual libraries, knowledge and skills from a teacher to students in interactive games, social media networks, a manner that fosters understanding and electronic gadgets, and even robotics, to enhance https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajssei 116 THE USA JOURNALS THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND EDUCATION INNOVATIONS (ISSN- 2689-100X) VOLUME 06 ISSUE09 retention. teachers vast opportunities to incorporate digital learning resources into the educational process, Effective teaching practices in Nigerian junior which can significantly enhance student secondary schools require that educators possess achievement. As noted by Hung (2016), a teacher's the necessary knowledge and skills to empower preparedness is essential for fully leveraging the students, enabling them to be proactive and benefits of e-learning. The availability of e-learning relevant members of society. One of the core facilities should facilitate this preparedness and subjects taught at this educational level is social usability in education; however, if teachers are studies, which plays a pivotal role in fostering unprepared to utilize e-learning technologies— students' understanding of their societal context such as computers, internet connections, and encouraging civic engagement. Social studies smartphones, AI, and e-learning platforms—the education is a crucial component of a well-rounded potential benefits of these tools may remain curriculum, aiming to foster students' unrealized. Therefore, it is crucial for teachers to understanding of their society, culture, and the demonstrate a preparedness to integrate AI and e- world at large. It encourages students to engage learning platforms effectively in order to improve both intellectually and practically, equipping them the teaching and learning experience in social with essential skills for active citizenship and studies. informed participation in their communities. This interdisciplinary subject encompasses various Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the application topics, including history, geography, economics, of computer systems to replicate human cognitive political science, sociology, and cultural studies. By processes and behaviors, including planning, exploring these areas, students develop critical learning, understanding, recognizing, reasoning, thinking and analytical skills, enabling them to and problem-solving. AI can address complex understand complex social issues, appreciate challenges that typically require human expertise, diverse perspectives, and make informed such as programming, forecasting, consulting, and decisions. Social studies education not only diagnosing issues (Akpomi et al., 2022). In this provides students with knowledge about their own regard, Chernov and Smith (2023) emphasized the society but also promotes global awareness and importance of teachers' preparedness to integrate empathy, preparing t