OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW

In this dawn of digital age, teachers have to embrace the idea that digital media really help a lot in the teaching-learning process. Digital media refer to audio-visual materials such as laptop, netbook, digital video camera, point and shoot or DSLR camera, flash drive, compact disc, PC, among others. These media supplement the educative process. They are able to guide teachers in facilitating learning and to motivate students in acquiring in-depth knowledge of the content.

Today’s generation of learners is characterized by young netizens ranging from the internet and techno-savvy students to notorious and monstrous hackers. Many students alike make their own identity on the web through different social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. The use of social media, nowadays, plays a vital role in learning across the curriculum.

And, here comes a significant difference when teachers do not dance to the rhythm of technological advancements. Many (teachers) find these breakthroughs as uninviting provided with the justice that they’re old enough to adapt the pop culture and to embrace the trends. And this is where the technical jargon “digital divide” comes in. This comes out from this gap—internet savvy students vs. teachers using conventional audio-visual materials. Due to this digital divide, teachers fail to meet some of the expectations of this generation’s students. And this, in a way, will lead to situations wherein students become less motivated to learn.

Usually, students seem to find it very interesting and motivational if teachers meet them halfway out in the open. They like teachers who know how to mobilize themselves being digitally-literate. They look up teachers who tap various resources and instructional materials for delivering an innovative teaching. They lap up teachers who can operate a PC, can browse the world wide web through search engines, can click on a camera, can upload/download files, can use Powerpoint and other related softwares in lectures/workshops, can utilize LCD in movie viewing, among others. It is far to that scenario wherein teachers feel haunted by these new media. Relying only to what teachers are getting used to is absolutely far to their aspirations for continuing education and drives for learning.

A new school year is about to begin. It is a little reminder for the teachers to remain tolerant about these changes over time which will somehow lead to educational innovation. As what Jao (Enrique Gil) of ABS-CBN’s Princess and I once said and I quote, “Ang pagbabago ay hindi tinatanggihan, kundi sinasabayan.” (We should not turn down this bucket of changes; we have to be open-minded about it instead.)