Educators, don't look back

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a rapid shift towards remote learning and digital technology integration in education.

As schools and learning institutions transition back to in-person instruction, it is imperative for educators to understand that the changes brought about by the pandemic should not be seen as temporary measures but rather as catalysts for a transformative shift in digital education.

That is why educators should not look back in terms of digital technology integration, particularly in the post-pandemic context, as it is intricately linked to the future of jobs.

The shift to digital technology integration

The pandemic has uncovered the tremendous potential of digital technology in revolutionizing education. We can see how educators adapted to online platforms, utilizing video conferencing tools, learning management systems, and digital resources to ensure the continuity of education. Students and educators alike acquired new digital literacy skills and witnessed the benefits of personalized and interactive learning, collaboration, and flexibility that digital technology offers.

Enhancing learning outcomes

International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards highlights the importance of embracing digital tools in education, advocating for a blended approach that combines technology and teacher-guided instruction. Educators need to continually improve their practice by learning from and with others and exploring proven and promising practices that leverage technology to improve student learning and achieve the learning outcomes.

By embracing digital technology integration, teachers can create immersive and interactive learning experiences that cater diverse student needs. For example, educational apps, multimedia contents, and online collaboration tools empower students to actively explore and construct knowledge.

Digital platforms also enable teachers to track student progress and provide timely feedback, leading to personalized interventions and improved learning outcomes.

We belief that this is in line with the Malaysian Digital Education aspiration that emphasizes the need for educators to leverage technology to enhance student-centred learning and encourage active engagement among students.

Preparing students for the workforce

In an increasingly digital world, digital literacy has become a pre-requisite for success in future careers. By actively integrating technology into their teaching practices, educators can equip students with the essential digital skills and competencies they need. These skills include critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, creativity, and digital citizenship, all of which are pivotal for the jobs of the future.

The ongoing digital transformation across industries demands a new set of skills and competencies. As educators, it is our responsibility to prepare students for the future job market.

By leveraging digital technology, educators can simulate real-world scenarios, promote creativity, and develop IR4.0 skills such as coding, data analysis, and digital communication.

These abilities are highly sought after in the fields of STEM, data science, artificial intelligence, and other emerging industries. It is widely notable that digital technology is crucial in supporting the development of transferable skills that are essential for future employment.

Adapting to the changing nature of work

The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote work and flexible work arrangements. As the boundaries between physical and virtual workspaces blur, educators must prepare students to adapt to this evolving landscape. Through the integration of digital technology, teachers can facilitate virtual collaboration, remote teamwork, and effective communication skills, enabling students to thrive in the modern workplace.

Technology is here to stay, don’t look back

Teaching is learning. As highlighted in the ISTE standards for Educator, the first standard emphasize that educators are leaners, which must continually develop their professional practice related to digital technology. Educators need to continually improve their practice by learning from and with others and exploring proven and promising practices that leverage technology to improve student learning.

Technology is here to stay. In the post-pandemic era, educators must not revert to conventional methods of teaching and learning. Instead, they should harness the potential of digital technology integration to enhance student engagement, foster 21st-century skills, and prepare students for future jobs. This is in line with the World Economic Forum's 2018 report on "The Future of Jobs," that highlights the importance of digital skills in the workforce of tomorrow. Thus, as educators in this digital age, don’t deny them the opportunities of the future, by teaching them the way we were taught yesterday. This has been noted by John Dewey, an educational psychologist, more than a decade ago in his quote; “If we teach today’s student as we taught yesterday, we rob them of tomorrow”.

Certainly, technology can’t replace teachers or educators, but in the hand of excellent teachers, it will be outstanding. By staying forward-thinking and leveraging digital tools, educators can pave the way for a more innovative and effective education system that equips students with the skills they need to thrive in the digital age and beyond.

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* Dr. Siti Nazuar Sailin is a Senior Lecturer in Educational Technology, School of Education, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM).

* ** The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.