In our tech driven 21st century which moves at a break neck speed, the role of the educator has changed so that no longer do they just present material in the lecture hall or grade papers. Today’s educator is to help facilitate the environment in which students learn, to design digital resources, curate online content, and be a guide through a very digital first world. As schools and institutions move forward into blended and online models of education this digital competence is a requirement of the job. This is not to say which we are simply looking for educators to use technology but that we are also at the same time rethinking our whole approach to pedagogy in a bid to best reach out to today’s student.
UNDERSTANDING DIGITAL COMPETENCY
Digital competence is using digital technologies in a professional and personal setting which is done well, ethically, and critically. For educators this includes a wide range of skills from use of tech in the classroom to digital literacy instruction and data protection. The European Commission’s Digital Competence Framework for Educators (DigCompEdu) breaks digital competence out into fields of digital resources, assessment methods, student empowerment, and professional development.
The goal is to go beyond mere technology integration in the classroom and instead to focus on what that tech brings to the learning experience, what it does for including all students, and what it does to prepare them for the digital world.
WHY DIGITAL COMPETENCY MATTERS IN EDUCATION
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IMPROVING STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND LEARNING
One of the great benefits we see in digital competency is the creation of interactive and engaging learning environments. Educators that are proficient in the use of digital tools are able to put together multimedia content, gamified learning applications, virtual labs and simulations which in turn make the lessons more dynamic. For example, instead of just reading about ecosystems students may use augmented reality to virtually explore habitats.
Digital tools also support personalized instruction which in turn allows teachers to design lessons for each student’s unique learning pace and style. This in turn includes all students and better serves the diverse group of today’s learners.
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SUPPORTING REMOTE AND HYBRID LEARNING
During the pandemic we saw a great deal of how important digital literacy is in the field of education. Within a short notice we as a global community of teachers had to turn to remote instruction which brought to light large scale issues with digital skill. Although some professionals did very well, many struggled out of which a lack of preparation and support was a key issue.
Digital literacy which in turn empowers teachers to use virtual platforms at ease, run smooth online classes, in-put into practice tools like Google Workspace and Microsoft Teams, and which also helps in remote student engagement. As hybrid and remote models grow in popularity which in turn puts to the fore the need for educators to be able to fluidly move between physical and digital settings.
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FOSTERING DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP
Educators play a large role in setting examples students follow and what attitudes they bring into their virtual interactions at which time, also they are to be a resource in matters that relate to the digital space. Digital competency on the part of a teacher also means that they may serve as guides in issues like online safety for the students, data security, raising alertness to cyberbullying and also the ethics behind what is shared online this is very much so a base from within the home room environment we want to build for our young people where they learn to think about the do’s and don’ts of the digital age.
Also in that which we see as digital spirit in the classroom we see it to be a way for students to engage with the digital world through the lens of critical thinking and in an age of info and digital distractions.
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND A LIFETIME OF LEARNING.
Digital literacy is at the root of continuous professional growth. Which in turn sees that educators that are digital native are better able to get into global learning communities, take part in MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), attend webinars, and keep up with the latest in pedagogy.
This competency has teachers reflect on their practice with the use of data and feedback tools which in turn improves their ability to determine learning outcomes and we also see this as a way for educators to take on leadership roles in educational innovation and policy advocacy.
CHALLENGES IN BUILDING DIGITAL COMPETENCY
Though of great import, we see that which puts forth in the development of digital skills among educators:
Lack of Training: Many teachers are lacking in terms of structured training in tech.
Resistance to Change: Some teachers are slow to adopt new tools which they are not as familiar with.
Infrastructure Gaps: In many areas of the world, and especially in poor resource regions, we see that access to the internet and digital devices is an issue which prevents integration.
Time Constraints: Teachers wear many hats which leaves them little time for upskilling.
To address these issues we need policy level interventions, institutional support, and investment in teacher training which is to be made available, relevant, and ongoing.
STRATEGIES FOR FOSTERING DIGITAL COMPETENCY
To develop and maintain digital skills in education a multipronged approach is required:
- Pre service and in service programs: To offer modules in digital pedagogy, classroom management tools, and emerging educational technologies.
- Promote Peer-to-Peer Learning: Creating spaces for which educators put out their experience and knowledge also does so which in turn accelerates learning.
- Use Microlearning and Modular Training: Short focused modules on particular tools (like Canva, Edmodo, Kahoot, etc. can be more effective than in depth one time workshops.
- Encourage Reflective Practice: Teachers should put in to practice the evaluation and reflection of their digital teaching through use of analytics and student feedback.
- Recognize and Reward Digital Efforts: Certification, digital badges, or public praise which is to motivate educators into that which we put them at ease with technology.
THE FUTURE OF TEACHING IS DIGITAL
As education is changing, the role of teachers will stay the same but what that role is will transform. Digital competency is a must for today’s educators. It is a core requirement.
Platforms such as Scholarly Summit are at the fore of this change by which they present to teachers research, case studies, expert insight and digital resources to support their digital transition. By providing the right tools, training and support we may see teachers not just survive but flourish in the digital age of education.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Empowering educators on the issue of digital competency is what we must do to secure the future of education. In our classes which are filled with digital natives the need for what we may term as digital fluent teachers is ever growing. The shift in education is not a result of the presence of tech alone, but of how we as users in this case our teachers put that tech to creative, responsible, and meaningful use. By we which is to say by prioritizing digital competency we in turn better our teachers and also our students for a world of learning that is smarter, more connected, and inclusive.