Digital Transformation: Change the Appearance of Vietnamese Education

Digital transformation in education and training has been around for a long time and actively utilized in the teaching and learning process all over the world, including in Vietnam. According to the National Digital Transformation Program approved by the Prime Minister on June 3, 2020, education is the second priority field for digital transformation after medicine. This demonstrates that education and digital transformation in the industry are critical to the country's development. So, what are the advantages of the digital transformation in education? How is the digital transformation in Vietnamese education? Let's find out in this article!

What is the digital transformation in education?

Digital transformation in education is the use of sophisticated technology to improve traditional teaching techniques, provide a comfortable and connected learning environment, and thus improve the learning experience and increase interaction among class members. 

These technologies are used in three ways, depending on the goal and organizational structure of educational institutions:

• Applied in teaching methods: digitization of documents (e-textbooks, e-Learning, multiple-choice question banks), digital libraries, online training systems, application of STEM methods, etc.;

• Applied in educational management: the application of 4.0 technologies (AI, blockchain, big data, IoT, etc.) to manage, operate, forecast, and support decision-making in the education industry;

• Applied in the classroom: installing technology devices such as video recorders, smart desks, smart electronic boards, online meeting devices, etc.

Traditional teaching and learning methods, as well as educational management, are being transformed by digital transformation in a smarter and more modern direction.

What are the advantages of digital transformation in education?

Build a flexible educational environment

Smart applications and softwares have created a comfortable and convenient learning environment, allowing learners to obtain knowledge anytime and anywhere using a phone or computer. This entirely eliminates distance constraints, maximizes study time, and increases student autonomy.

Improve the efficiency of the educational management process 

Technological achievements such as IoT assist in tracking learner behavior, strengthening management and supervision in educational institutions; big data helps to analyze student learning behavior; or blockchain appears to manage information, education records, learning history, transcripts of learners, ensuring data consistency and transparency. 

With blockchain, managing and storing learner information becomes easier, more transparent and secure.

Access unlimited study materials 

Digital transformation allows for the storage of unlimited resources, building a massive open source of learning materials for both teachers and students. Instead of buying books or going to the library, teachers and students can now access these resources more conveniently and affordably. 

Cost savings 

By integrating digital transformation into the teaching and learning process, training institutions can save significantly on equipment, facilities, and staff wages. Students and parents can also save money on travel, living and school-related expenses.

The picture of digital transformation in Vietnamese education

Positive points

According to statistics, 63 educational institutions and 710 education and training departments have begun building a common database for the sector. Data from over 53,000 schools, 1.4 million teachers, and 23 million pupils has been digitized and identified. Currently, 82% of high schools employ softwares for school management, electronic grade books and school records, and the majority of higher education institutions use management softwares. Furthermore, teachers are encouraged to contribute to the digital archives, which include nearly 5,000 quality electronic lectures, nearly 7,000 doctoral theses and multiple choice question banks with over 31,000 questions, contributing to promoting lifelong learning.

The trend of digital transformation in education is more crucial than ever in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Google Classroom, Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and other online teaching models and technologies have been integrated into institutions ranging from primary, secondary, and high school to university and postgraduate. These applications have brought in many significant advances, as well as the reformation of traditional teaching and learning methods, making them smarter, more efficient, and cost-effective.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, online and distance learning have grown in popularity.

In response to the National Digital Transformation program, a number of other policies have been implemented, including: informatics will officially become a compulsory subject for students in grade 3; integrating STEM methods into teaching, bringing active and creative learning, and stimulating students' curiosity; increasing opportunities for collaboration with enterprises and implementing activities in teaching associated with the demand for human resources from enterprises, etc.

STEM is a learning strategy that integrates science, technology, engineering, and math to provide students with knowledge and skills.

Limitations

Infrastructure, network infrastructure, equipment, and lines have not been synchronized in many places, failing to meet the needs for digital transformation, particularly in remote areas. One of the most difficult challenges for educational institutions in the digital transformation is a lack of human resources to deploy and manage specialized digitized databases (learner and teacher data, lecturers, learning materials, etc.). Most schools lack a technology team in charge of guiding and training teachers, lecturers and students with the necessary knowledge and skills to adapt to the digital education environment, such as digital skills to use information technology, skills to effectively exploit applications and softwares for teaching and learning, and so on.

Realizing the importance as well as the desire to solve the problem related to digital transformation in education, FUNDGO Startup and Innovation Fund is boosting cooperation with organizations and agencies to cover digital transformation in education. FUNDGO has a team of experienced experts and advisors in several sectors, including technology, finance, and law, who are ready to advise and support schools in their use of technology in management and teaching. In addition, the Fund has collaborated with other organizations to hold meaningful contests and playgrounds for students, with the goal of incubating and training human resources for the digital transformation.

FUNDGO sponsors contests to nurture young talents when they're still in school.

Digital transformation in education should be considered a long-term objective that requires particular strategies rather than quick fixes (as in the context of COVID-19).To achieve this goal, the head must be determined and the school's employees, professors and lecturers must be eager to innovate. If implemented widely and simultaneously, digital transformation has great potential to bring numerous positive improvements and empower Vietnamese education.