By: Dr. Marilou M. Baarde
Although the concept of digital transformation has been long adapted by many schools globally, implementing the said technology in our own backyard is still met with uncertainty.
The challenges we face in this global health crisis has affected the lives of many people notwithstanding the psychological effects that we have to deal with because of the disruptions in our daily routines. We continue to struggle and try to make it work despite the limitations. Education is one of the many aspects in our lives that have been put to test. Circumventing our ways to manage the delivery of knowledge to our students in the most unconventional way is definitely the biggest challenge. Although technology has aided us for quite some time, the level of dependency is not as much as what we are experiencing today. Our ability to adapt to the new technological systems and processes will dictate the success of this new normal.
When I was called to teach the Social Media Marketing course being offered by the Ateneo De Davao Adult Lifelong Learning (ADD-ALL) on the first week of June, I was told that the mode of delivery is the use of Google Classroom in conjunction with Google Meet to teach the participants. I definitely was hesitant at first because I have never used the said applications before and I guess they were assuming that as a member of the SBG faculty (although part-time) that I already got the needed training. I saw this as an opportunity for me to learn ahead of time just by watching You Tube tutorials and navigated on the applications once I created my class. When the webinars for graduate and law schools were scheduled, I was already appreciating said technology and was learning more.
Getting acquainted with technology may be easy for millennials but definitely is a challenge for baby boomers like myself. Having the space and time to be more confident in using technology in teaching is important. Feedback system should also be in place to assure the teaching staff that all issues and concerns will be addressed. Demands made of teachers are more complex and fluid in what is now a constantly changing environment. Therefore, we have to be more agile in our learning. A better understanding of advancing technology would help in managing the digital transformation we are experiencing. Developing our competence will rely on assisted skills development and self-development through various online resources that will be provided.
Although the concept of digital transformation has been long adapted by many schools globally, implementing the said technology in our own backyard is still met with uncertainty. Understanding the impact of digitization in education should be recognized by many. The mode of delivery may differ but it brings a new concept towards learning. This will give learners more options to acquire knowledge and earn a degree. A paradigm shift from in-class learning to digital may require big adjustments both for teachers and students but it is something that we should prepare for as the world makes its way to digital transformation in all aspects of our daily lives; and since technology plays a critical role in our delivery of education, our ability to evolve with these changes will make us more significant in addressing our current situation.
