Digital transformation in education: Starting with digital content and digital teachers

(Dan Tri) - Teachers must not only "teach with technology", but also "teach with technology", using technology as a tool to arouse students' interest in learning and develop their abilities.

Guided by the 14th Congress and the need for substantial innovation, Dr. Sai Cong Hong, former Deputy Director of the Department of Secondary Education, Ministry of Education and Training , analyzed and commented on the path of digital transformation in education, especially emphasizing that success cannot only rely on infrastructure and modern equipment but must start from quality digital content and the capacity of digital teachers.

In the Draft Political Report submitted to the 14th National Party Congress, digital transformation is identified as one of the key driving forces for the development of early childhood and distance education and training with the content: "Bringing digital capacity into the general education program".

The specific action program is: "Building and implementing a digital human resource development program to equip workers with comprehensive digital skills, meeting the requirements of digital economic and digital society development".

This is a strategic orientation, affirming that digital transformation is not only a trend but also an inevitable requirement for fundamental and comprehensive educational innovation. For digital transformation to be effective, it is important to start with building human resources, digital capacity and developing quality digital content, instead of just stopping at investing in infrastructure and equipment.

Digital transformation is not just about bringing technology into the classroom, but also about digitizing knowledge, innovating learning content, methods and forms. Without well-designed, scientifically designed digital content, all modern technology, software or equipment is just an “empty shell”.

Therefore, it is essential to understand that digital content is the foundation and soul of digital transformation in education.

Many positive results but still heavy on formality

In recent years, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnamese education has achieved many positive results in applying technology and promoting digital transformation.

Most educational institutions have deployed electronic gradebooks, electronic transcripts, and online student management; many schools have used teaching platforms such as ViettelStudy, K12Online, Google Classroom, Zoom, Azota... Some places have also built their own electronic learning materials warehouse, question bank, and online learning system.

A teacher and preschool students in Ho Chi Minh City during a lesson with electronic devices (Photo: Huyen Nguyen).

However, looking deeper into practice, this process only reflects the surface of digital transformation. Most activities are still at the management stage, not really innovating teaching methods.

Many places equate “digital transformation” with “teaching with PowerPoint” or “recording lectures”, while the teaching content has not been redesigned to suit the digital environment. As a result, teaching is still passive, teachers still explain in one direction, the only difference is “moving from the blackboard to the screen”.

E-lessons and e-learning must be understood correctly.

One of the underlying reasons why digital transformation in education remains superficial is the misunderstanding of the concepts of "electronic lesson plans" and "electronic lessons".

In essence, a true electronic lesson plan is a complete digital pedagogical blueprint, including all components: clear learning objectives, multimedia digital content (text, images, videos, simulations...), online learning organization methods, assessment tools, feedback and self-study guidance for students.

Similarly, an e-lesson is not just a video or a slide, but a digital learning process that involves student interaction, feedback, and self-assessment.

Without these elements, the lesson is only technical and has no pedagogical value. Therefore, before investing in infrastructure, the education sector needs to standardize the concepts and professional requirements for digital content.

Only when understood correctly and done correctly, can digital transformation go into depth and contribute to the real innovation of teaching and learning activities.

Teachers - the center of digital transformation

In the age of technology, teachers are still the decisive factor in the success of digital transformation. Teachers are not only users of technology, but also “digital knowledge architects”, who design, create and coordinate learning activities in the digital environment.

Teachers know their students best, and know how to choose the right content, methods, and tools. Therefore, only they can create digital content with real pedagogical value.

However, it is important to recognize that not all content can or should be digitized. Lessons on ethics, life skills, physical education or art still need to be delivered in a live environment for students to experience and feel.

A reasonable combination of face-to-face and online teaching (blended learning) will help promote the strengths of technology without losing the humanistic nature of education.

In order for teachers to be able to perform their roles well in the new era, there needs to be a comprehensive and regular digital competency training program. State management agencies should soon issue digital competency standards for teachers, which clearly stipulate the requirements for skills in designing electronic lectures, organizing digital teaching and assessing online learning.

Teachers are an important factor in digital transformation (Illustration: Huyen Nguyen).

At the same time, there needs to be a policy to encourage digital content creation - recognizing high-quality e-lectures and digital learning materials as professional products, with a mechanism for appraisal, copyright protection and sharing in the national open learning materials system.

At the same time, it is necessary to build a national digital content standards framework, as a basis for orienting the development of unified, safe, and correct learning materials with Vietnamese identity.

The establishment of the National Digital Learning Resources Center is also a necessary step, helping teachers have a place to share, cooperate and jointly develop high-quality learning materials to serve the entire education system.

Maintaining the humanistic nature of education in the digital age

No matter how advanced technology is, education is still a human affair. No software can replace the emotion, dedication and heart of a teacher.

A digital lesson may be attractive, but it cannot replace the encouraging eyes or words of encouragement from a teacher to a student. Therefore, digital transformation is only meaningful when technology serves people, not overshadowing the humanistic value of the teaching profession. Maintaining that is maintaining the core of education - where people are the center, technology is just a means.

Digital transformation in education is an inevitable trend, but to be successful, it must start with quality digital content and creative digital teachers.

Ho Chi Minh City teachers learn about robot models within the framework of "Ho Chi Minh City Digital Transformation Week 2023" (Photo: Huyen Nguyen).

A true e-lesson plan cannot be just a few slides; it must be a learning blueprint that integrates content, methods, interactions, and self-assessment.

Teachers must not only "teach with technology", but also "teach with technology", using technology as a tool to stimulate students' interest in learning and develop their abilities.

Only when understood and implemented correctly, can digital transformation truly become a profound knowledge revolution, contributing to realizing the spirit of the Draft Political Report of the 14th Party Congress: "Building a modern national education system, on par with the region and the world".

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/chuyen-doi-so-trong-giao-duc-bat-dau-tu-noi-dung-so-va-nguoi-thay-so-20251101071521722.htm