CHALLENGES OF TEACHER PREPARATION IN A KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY IN THE E-ERA

This paper focused on Challenges of Teacher Preparation in a Knowledge Economy in the E-Era. Knowledge economy is an emerging economy powered by the use of knowledge to produce goods and services, as well as wealth creation. The paper viewed knowledge economy as an evolutionary trend in technological advancement, information and communication technologies as well as globalization. The paper discussed the concept of knowledge economy, the importance of knowledge economy, characteristics of knowledge economy, teacher preparation in a knowledge economy and the challenges of higher education, knowledge economy and the Nigerian position- the global perspective, pillars of knowledge economy, and proffered a way forward in the advancement of knowledge economy. The paper concluded that the emergence of knowledge economy has created new work-place demand for new skills based on intellectual capabilities and the ability to work with ideas rather than obsolete tools. Thus higher education is faced with the challenge of producing graduates who will be intellectually competent and flexible enough to compete favourably in the knowledge economy. The paper recommended among others that governments of developing countries particularly Nigeria should pay greater attention to, and invest more in providing functional education to the citizenry through improved funding, provision of infrastructure and functional facilities that enhance educational access to the generality of youth at affordable cost. Keywords: Knowledge economy, teacher preparation, professional development, higher education, globalization, e-era