In preparing the next generation for a technology-driven society, teachers play a very important role. In this tech century (21st), students will surely be left behind if teachers' digital skills are not made. So, on behalf of the teachers, citizens, countries, corporations or anyone capable, they need to work collaboratively to have the technology and digital skills to provide education to the future of tomorrow.

COVID-19 has flipped the global classrooms on their heads. Both students and teachers were captured overnight in the virtual world or hybrid environment. And to survive in this situation, the fittest means were basic Wi-Fi and Flip grid, Chrome books, Zoom or mobile apps.

Teachers showed a wide range of digital skills during this period across the world. The largest disruption has been created in the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the education system. The pandemic has nearly affected 1.6 billion students in more than 190 countries around the globe. 1.4 billion Students had already had their education disrupted by March 2020.

Advancing SDG 4:

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations offer a worldwide framework to obtain a more equitable and sustainable world for every individual. SDG 4 is designed to promote fair and inclusive quality education for all. More importantly, its main aim is to push everyone to measure the percentage of adults or youth (who have achieved a minimum level of proficiency) in digital literacy skills.

The central to the achievement of these Sustainable Development Goals are teachers. By the end of 2023, the tools and training needed by the teachers to build their confidence and competence with computer science technology must be provided.

Teachers Already Did Their Part; Let's Do Ours:

The International Commission in March 2021 on the Futures of Education’s Progress Update encouraged the importance of teaching and increased attention towards teacher’s education and professional development.

Some organizations have already responded to this. Like -

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  Intel SFI (Intel’s Skills for Innovation) framework is designed to help teachers combine technology. The aim behind it is to embrace the latest & new ways of teaching from any remote location. Also, it helps the teachers in gaining their students STEM skills and new innovative thinking.

  
  


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  Innovative Learning HQ of Verizon Foundation is a model of skills, technology and inclusion. This online education portal ensures no student is left behind by offering professional development credentials, lesson plans and next-generation learning for all.

  
  


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  The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Infosys Ltd - Infosys Foundation USA uses its digital learning platform “Pathfinders Online Institute” to expand access to computer science and maker education for educators. Individuals who create a free account in this platform will be able to see any of the available - equitable, diverse and inclusive mix of professional development content in the form of webinar recordings, video instruction mini-lessons and other instructional resources.

  
  

According to the survey of the Teachers’ Responses to COVID-19 Pandemic, Teachers, especially those with the longest experience in classroom teaching, learned the new digital skills and adapted this teaching method. During the year 2020-21, they also heavily invested in their professional development by attending significantly above-trend amounts of training.

Ways To Up-Skill the Digital Educator

Let's see how we can up-skill the digital educator.

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  Efforts to Increase the status of teachers -

  
  

This year, World Teachers Day's Theme for 2021 is "Teachers: leading in crisis, re-imagining the future". Individuals must recognize the critical role of teachers, specifically in times of emergency or upheaval. Not just on 5th October every year, teachers should be respected, but the respect must be central to how society treats them every day.

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  Make CSR strategies count.

  
  

Make CSR strategies primarily focused on technology, STEM and digital equity with the UN SDG framework. Design the strategy and then map the success against the SDG thematic goals and indicators.

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  Structural partnership

  
  

Structure the partnerships so that government funding’s advantages can be taken. It will help meet and ensure a sustainable response to the future’s digital demands, non-profit delivering and private sector investments.

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  Consider involvement with multilateral initiatives that advance SDG 4

  
  

It is important to consider UNICEF, UNESCO and World Bank’s Mission to convalesce education 2021. They have a common goal in recovering learning losses and focused on bringing all children back to their schools and preparing & supporting teachers.

Re-Imagine Tech Equity In Education:

In a world where technological advancements come at lightning speed, let’s appreciate the important role of teachers in preparing today’s youngsters for a technology-driven society and commit to investing in teachers’ digital future.

Education is a collective endeavor. Corporations, countries and the world’s citizens are needed to work collaboratively on behalf of every teacher. Together a new powerful world can be created where nobody is left behind.