The Digital Transformation of Education and Training in Vietnam
Digital transformation has become a key strategy for businesses, governments, and organizations around the world to stay competitive and relevant in the digital age. The education and training sector is no exception, as digital technologies are transforming how people learn, teach, and access educational resources. Vietnam, like many other developing countries, is faced with challenges in its education and training system, including insufficient infrastructure, limited access to quality education, and outdated teaching methods. However, with the increasing adoption of digital technologies, there is an opportunity for Vietnam to transform its education and training sector and address these challenges. This article will explore the importance of digital transformation in education and training in Vietnam, including its benefits, challenges, and potential impact on the country’s education system.
Digital Transformation in Education and Training
Digital transformation in education and training refers to the use of digital technologies to improve teaching and learning processes, as well as the delivery of educational content and resources. The adoption of digital technologies in education and training has been on the rise in recent years, with many countries and institutions leveraging these technologies to enhance their educational offerings. Examples of digital transformation in education and training include using e-learning platforms, virtual reality simulations, gamification, and adaptive learning algorithms.
The benefits of digital transformation in education and training are numerous. Digital technologies allow for personalized learning experiences, where students can learn at their own pace and receive individualized feedback. They also offer the opportunity for remote learning, which is particularly important in areas where access to education is limited or where physical attendance is difficult. Digital transformation can also improve the efficiency of teaching and learning processes, reduce costs, and increase access to educational resources.
Many countries and institutions around the world have embraced digital transformation in education and training, with some even making it a national priority. For example, the European Union has set a goal of ensuring that all European citizens have access to high-quality digital education by 2025. In the United States, the Department of Education has launched initiatives to promote the use of technology in education, such as the Ed Tech Developer’s Guide and the Future Ready Schools program.
Current State of Education and Training in Vietnam
Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Huu Do emphasize that digital transformation is an inevitable trend in society in general and education in particular. He especially appreciated the adaptive capacity, active learning, and application of information technology in the teaching process. In the context of transitioning from direct teaching to online teaching, the Education sector has achieved noteworthy results, ensuring safety in preventing Covid-19, persisting in quality goals, and completing the academic year plan.
According to Nguyen Huu Do, there are three core issues in the application of information technology and digital transformation. They are:
- Contributing to creating breakthroughs
- Differentiating development for both general education and higher education;
- Putting learners and teachers at the center of digital transformation
- Taking the benefits of learners, educators, and citizens as a measure of digital transformation evaluation
- Identifying the strong responsibility and role of management officials in digital transformation. These requirements need to be done by specific plans and actions.
In the report on digital transformation in education, Nguyen Son Hai, Director of the Information Technology Department, stated that recently, the results of information technology and digital transformation application of the Ministry of Education and Training, in general, and the Education sector, in particular, have achieved some important results.
For preschool and general education, the Ministry of Education and Training has built a detailed information management database system for all schools from preschool to high school, including component databases (including schools, classes, students, teachers, facilities, finances, etc.) and has compiled data from 63 Departments of Education and Training and 710 Education and Training Offices. Through this, nearly 24 million student records (digitizing information about their background, learning process, training, health, etc.), more than 1.5 million records of teachers, staff, and management officials (records, professional qualifications, evaluation according to standards) from 53,000 schools, and information about school facilities, toilets have been digitized (Source).
Impact of Digital Transformation on Education and Training in Vietnam
The digital transformation in education and training in Vietnam has brought about numerous positive impacts on the sector. Some of these impacts include:
- Changes in teaching and learning methods
- Improved access to education and training opportunities
- Overall improvement in the quality of education and training in Vietnam.
One of the most significant impacts of digital transformation on education and training in Vietnam is the shift in teaching and learning methods. The use of digital technologies has enabled educators to deliver content to students in more engaging and interactive ways, leading to better student engagement and retention. Digital tools such as educational software, simulations, and gamification have also allowed for more personalized learning experiences tailored to the needs and learning styles of individual students.
Digital transformation has also greatly improved access to education and training opportunities in Vietnam. The use of online learning platforms has enabled students from remote or disadvantaged areas to access educational resources that were previously out of reach. This has helped to bridge the gap between urban and rural education in Vietnam.
Moreover, digital transformation initiatives have contributed to an overall improvement in the quality of education and training in Vietnam. The use of digital technologies has enabled educators to collect and analyze data on student performance and learning outcomes. This data-driven approach has allowed educators to identify areas for improvement and to adjust teaching methods and content to better meet the needs of their students.
The Importance of digital transformation in Education and Training
Creating a flexible learning environment
Instead of dozens of students sitting in a classroom with four walls as before, digital technology has opened up a more flexible learning space. Now, learners can conveniently and easily absorb knowledge on any device (computer, laptop, smartphone, …)
This has opened up a completely new open education system. At any time, anywhere, anyone can access information and knowledge in the most multidimensional way. It completely eliminates limitations on distance, optimizes learning time, and enhances learners’ cognition and thinking.
Unlimited access to learning materials
Digital transformation will create a huge open learning resource for learners. This means that students can easily and less expensively access learning resources. Instead of spending money to buy books or go to the library to borrow them. Currently, learners can quickly exploit learning resources through online devices without being limited by their economic status.
On the other hand, digital transformation also makes sharing materials and curricula between students and teachers easier and more cost-effective by minimizing printing costs.
Increase interaction and real-life experience
Many people think online learning will limit the interaction between teachers and students. However, in reality, this new learning method helps to increase two-way interaction as students can talk face-to-face with their instructors without being limited by physical space.
In addition, 4.0 technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) also create more “real” experiences for learners. Compared to traditional theoretical learning methods that can only be imagined through books, these new technologies help learners have multisensory experiences, creating a sense of curiosity and interest when learning.
Improve the quality of education
The digital transformation of the education sector has created a new era, in which teachers and learners are empowered to use technology.
Technological achievements such as Big data help to store all knowledge in cyberspace, the Internet of Things (IoT) helps to track students’ behavior, manage and monitor students; and Blockchain helps to build a system to manage educational information and records of students, allowing for integration, management, and sharing of data from many schools, recording the academic history and grades of students to ensure data consistency and transparency.
Reduce costs
The era of online learning will open up learning opportunities at much lower costs than before. Schools will have to spend less on issues related to facilities, equipment, and other related costs.
Digital transformation also creates more choices for learners. Instead of attending public schools, they can participate in E-learning courses at a much lower cost. Even learners can choose courses that are suitable for themselves and the subjects they are truly interested in. This helps to make learning more effective and of higher quality.
Conclusion
The digital transformation in education has brought about numerous benefits, including increased interaction and real-world experiences for learners, improved quality of education with the help of cutting-edge technologies, and reduced training costs. The shift to online learning has also opened up more opportunities for learners, who can now access a wider range of courses at a lower cost and according to their own interests. As technology continues to advance, we can expect even more innovations that will revolutionize education and provide greater access to learning for people all over the world.
