Empowering teachers – the key to making 'digital literacy' a reality

Digital platforms are powerful, but teachers are the ones who decide

Technological advances, from online learning resources to artificial intelligence (AI) tools, are opening up a wide door of knowledge for education . However, the true value of technology is only brought into play by the hands and intelligence of teachers – those who know how to apply it creatively to meet the needs of each student. Therefore, “popular digital education” does not stop at equipping platforms or devices, but more importantly, the process of improving teachers’ digital capacity.

When teachers are equipped with effective digital skills, students receive more personalized learning.

Speaking at the Conference on implementing the emulation movement "The whole country competes in innovation and digital transformation" and "Digital literacy" in the education sector, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Van Phuc emphasized: "Each cadre and teacher is a pioneer in learning and applying digital technology in teaching and work. At the same time, they are also active in spreading digital knowledge and skills to the community."

Khan Academy Vietnam: Empowering teachers with technology to develop digital skills

With the mission of accompanying the movement of "popular digital education", Khan Academy Vietnam (KAV) not only provides free learning materials for students, but also focuses on improving the digital capacity of teachers, who directly determine the effectiveness of technology in the classroom. In 2023, KAV localized the course "AI in education", helping thousands of teachers get acquainted with the basic knowledge and practice applying AI in teaching. This is considered an important first step, opening up opportunities for teachers to confidently apply technology and lead students into the digital age.

In the coming period, KAV will continue to expand AI courses and deploy Khanmigo - an AI assistant dedicated to general education. For teachers, Khanmigo is a powerful tool, from supporting quick lesson planning, designing differentiated exercises, suggesting creative teaching methods to analyzing learning data to adjust teaching methods more appropriately.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy, a teacher at Hop Hoa Primary School (Tuyen Quang), shared after experiencing teaching and learning management on the Khan Academy platform: “I find the assignment for students on the platform very flexible, it is not necessary for the whole class to study and practice the same type of exercises. Weak students can do basic exercises, good students can do advanced exercises. This was difficult for me to do before if I only taught using traditional methods.”

Thus, technology is only truly valuable when combined with the pedagogical skills and creativity of the teacher. At the same time, with digital platforms like Khan Academy, not only does technology come into the classroom, but it also helps teachers confidently develop digital skills, opening up more personalized, equitable and effective learning hours. When teachers master technology, students are the ones who benefit the most with modern, quality and personalized learning opportunities.

Teachers also become “digital skills instructors” for students.

At the same time, teachers also become “digital skills instructors” for students. Through each exercise, each activity applying AI or digital tools, students not only learn knowledge, but also practice important skills to enter the digital age: knowing how to exploit, create and think to apply technology correctly in the learning process.

Teachers – the core to make “digital literacy” a reality

No digital transformation movement in the education sector can succeed without the leading role of teachers. It is teachers who turn technology into useful tools, bringing knowledge to each student in a suitable and effective way. With the support of Khan Academy Vietnam and advanced AI tools like Khanmigo, Vietnamese teachers have a comprehensive ecosystem to confidently approach, apply and innovate teaching methods.

When every teacher becomes a nucleus to spread digital skills, from urban classrooms to remote areas, “digital literacy for all” will not stop at being a slogan. It will become a reality, where every Vietnamese student has the opportunity to study fairly, modernly and appropriately in the digital age.