WITHOUT a doubt, our education system had been given a makeover with the advancement of technology.
The dilemma of how best to leverage technology to improve learning and produce a competent workforce is prevalent in institutions of higher learning to meet the national agenda.
Higher education systems worldwide are going through the same paradigm shift in view of the changing needs of students, expectations of society and the ever-evolving technology.
It has been predicted that most jobs today would be taken over by digitalisation and virtual mobility.
Employers’ expectations of employees have moved towards technology-savvy communication skills, which, in turn, demand higher learning institutions to provide such skills in graduates.
Clayton Christensen, Curtis W. Johnson and Michael B. Horn in their book, Disrupting Classroom: How Disruptive Innovation will Change the Way the World Learns, highlighted the important principles of futuristic learning, including customised learning for students, computer technology in student-centric classrooms, disruptive innovations to overcome learning roadblocks and competing in a global classroom.
These new approaches are unheard of in traditional classrooms. Thus, revamping our education system to achieve such goals so that learners become global players has become the Federal Government’s priority, as seen in the scope and depth of the Education Blueprint for Higher Education 2015-2025 in relation to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Education 4.0 Framework.
In the few years of its implementation, transformation has taken shape and students are becoming accustomed to learning through technology-based systems, such as blended learning, Malaysian Open Online Courses and other online learning systems.
Last week, UiTM Johor launched its first digitalised international invention, innovation and design competition. This brings innovation competitions, currently held via exhibition booths, to a higher level as they will be held online. All that is required is the uploading of a three-minute video of the product demonstration.
The competition claims to be the first of its kind in Malaysia. It is open to international and local participants in the professional, tertiary and school levels. The competition, launched on April 19, will end on July 1. Enquiries can be made at http://iiidjohor.my.
Going digital and transforming education, however, does mean that current jobs may soon become irrelevant to pave the way for new tech jobs.
In a recent workshop on 21st-century learning, it was concluded that an educator’s role would not cease as technology needed to feed on the creative and thinking minds of humans. So, some jobs will remain relevant.
Associate Professor Dr Soo Kum Yoke
UiTM Johor