Modern teachers need to change to adapt.

A modern teacher is one who is suited to the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the digital age.

Professor Nguyen Lan Dung believes that modern teachers need to change in order to adapt.

On the occasion of Vietnamese Teachers' Day (November 20th), Professor and People's Teacher Nguyen Lan Dung stated that the digital age, also known as the digital revolution, is having a profound impact on the field of education worldwide. The application of digital technology and the Internet to education has brought many new opportunities and challenges, affecting not only how we teach and learn, but also the structure, content, goals of education, and even the teachers themselves.

What should a modern teacher be like from his perspective?

In my opinion, a modern teacher must be suited to the times – the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the digital age. They need sufficient knowledge to encourage students to take advantage of the benefits of the digital age without becoming engrossed in the online world for entertainment. Every teacher must know how to guide the younger generation to live with ideals, ambitions, and a desire to build a career. Moreover, a teacher must possess solid knowledge, excellent pedagogical skills, and above all, know how to love and guide the younger generation to live decent lives.

Besides opportunities, what difficulties and obstacles do teachers today often face?

Each teacher faces different challenges. Besides pressure from various sources, many teachers still face difficult and impoverished living conditions. Therefore, more attention needs to be paid to the lives of teachers so that they can focus on their work with peace of mind.

The quality of education today is not limited by the curriculum and textbooks, as many people often say. Our generation studied at the Central Campus during the resistance against the French. Back then, there was no curriculum, no textbooks, yet our class – including outstanding individuals like Ho Ngoc Dai and Ma Van Khang – still remembers the knowledge we learned to this day. We were fortunate to have a team of knowledgeable and dedicated teachers. Therefore, in my opinion, the best approach is to help teachers improve the quality of their lectures and continuously update their knowledge.

Many believe that educators must adapt in the era of digital transformation. So how should they adapt to suit this change?

Yes, digital transformation is the integration of digital technology into operations to change the way things are done and the culture, thereby optimizing work efficiency to create new value for everyone. Today's students all have smartphones, tablets, and laptops to support their studies. They can independently gather knowledge online, and many even know how to utilize ChatGPT for learning. For teachers, digital transformation and ChatGPT present a good opportunity to improve their knowledge and the quality of their lectures.

Technological advancements in the digital age facilitate teachers' continuous knowledge enhancement. With a desire for progress and the unprecedentedly convenient resources available today, teachers can improve their knowledge and expertise to better serve their noble profession. Besides the spirit of lifelong learning, an equally important factor is that teachers must cultivate a deep love for their profession and for children, considering the task of educating talented and virtuous generations as the greatest happiness of their lives.

In the face of constant societal changes, teachers are seen as the "intellectual architects" who shape the future generation of the country.

Teachers must adapt to the times. Each teacher must not only be an "intellectual architect" but also an "architect of the soul" to create a generation of young people who are deeply knowledgeable and patriotic. The goal is to ensure that these students live with noble ideals, have great ambitions, know how to live decently towards society, and aspire to contribute to their homeland and nation.

Today, lifelong learning has become a reality, and technological advancements allow people to learn what they love most at any age. So, what knowledge and skills do you think a modern teacher needs?

I believe that modern teachers need to constantly update their knowledge and skills to stay relevant. In particular, teaching and learning methods have changed. The development of online learning platforms and virtual classrooms has transformed traditional teaching and learning. Now, learners can access courses from anywhere in the world and manage their own study time. This breaks down barriers of space and time, facilitating continuous learning.

Mobile applications make it easy for students to access learning materials, lectures, and reference documents. This facilitates needs-based learning and self-study. Teachers themselves must also constantly adapt and update their knowledge to keep pace with the times. Education must foster self-learning in students, cultivating independence and knowledge-seeking skills, rather than the traditional "teacher dictates, students copy" model.

How has the digital age impacted the education sector, sir?

The digital age has connected students worldwide. They can easily participate in international courses, collaborative projects, and knowledge exchanges, fostering a diversity of perspectives and cultures. Simultaneously, the digital age has transformed the way we learn and teach. It offers many benefits but also presents numerous challenges. To fully leverage the potential of the digital age in education, we need to carefully consider how to apply technology and ensure that no one is left behind.

Several significant achievements in education have been made in the digital age. However, it is also important to note that many challenges and issues remain, including ensuring the security of personal information and addressing inequalities in access to educational technology. Furthermore, continuous monitoring and quality control are necessary to ensure that ChatGPT meets educational standards and delivers real value to students and teachers.

In short, successful digital transformation in education must begin with the teachers. Hopefully, every educator will strive to live up to the trust and affection not only of the younger generation but also of parents and society as a whole. Personally, every year on November 20th, I am reminded of my former teachers with all my gratitude and respect.

Thank you, sir!

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/gs-ngnd-nguyen-lan-dung-nguoi-thay-hien-dai-can-thay-doi-de-thich-ung-250346.html