DIGITAL MEDIA

Technology has revolutionized the way we live. It transformed the way we watch prominent movies, the way we learn news, culture and situations in every nation-state, the way we communicate and interact with various people all around the world, etc. Technology has brought pertinent transformations in all sectors of our society, and education is not an exemption.

One of the disruptors of the 21st Century is the existence of Digital Media. In essence, Digital Media is a tool that we can use today for learning massively and comprehensively. Digital Media gave us the privilege of accessing a huge amount of information through any form that we are comfortable with such as text-based, audio format, audio-visual, etc. In his article The Disruption of Digital Learning: Ten Things We Have Learned, Josh Bersin stated that, “Digital Learning does not mean learning on your phone, it means bringing learning to where employees are.’ It is a ‘way of learning” not a “type of learning.’” Technology provided us with the gift of instant information, and with the prevalence of Digital Media and Internet, we are now observing the democratization of our way of learning, connecting, and collaborating with one another. We can learn the ideas and skills that we need at the moment because of the presence of Digital Media.

The challenge now is on the hands of the Educational Sector, specially on the role of the educators. Given the prevailing presence of the Internet and the Digital Media, what is the role and purpose of an Educator? If individual learners can access and learn all the information, knowledge, ideas, and skills that they want to know and acquire, then what is the relevance of a teacher in the learning process?

In his book 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, Yuval Noah Harari said that, “In a world deluged by irrelevant information, clarity is power.” The advancement of Digital Media has flooded our society with enormous information. Hence, people should be more prudent in acquiring information and ideas. Our era calls for more discernment and critical thinking skills than ever before because of all the information that we have now. This is where real educators enter the picture.

According to the Dictamp Oxford Dictionary, “Education is an enlightening experience.” Thus, the role of an educator is more than just providing information. We are creators of enlightening moments that initiate transformation in the lives of the learners. We cannot compete with the Digital Media and the Internet in terms of being a great source of information. Google, YouTube, and other online platforms are considered all-knowing because of the information that we can access through them. Hence, there is no chance that educators can compete with them. However, educators can utilize Digital Media and Internet as tool and/or avenue for them to start and build social transformation in the generation of learners today.

Generation Z is considered as the most intelligent learners among all generations, but intelligence alone is not enough to become a change agent of this society. Yes, we must admit that Generation Z is very adept with the utilization of Digital Media. It is an ordinary part of their daily lives. However, they need the guidance of real educators who will inspire them to use their learnings and skills in Digital Media to commit for a social transformation – a change that will bring betterment and development to the lives of many people and of the succeeding generations.

In his blog “What is it to be a teacher?”, Sue Williamson said that “Education comes from the Greek word Edukos, which means to draw forth from within.” I agree with that definition. Educators should not be a critic of Digital Media or any form of Technology and discuss all the negative implications that it can bring to the learners and discourage them to use it. No, that should not be the case. Educators must be an inspiration and a guide to this generation. We must encourage the generation of learners today to take advantage of the gift and power that Digital Media has provided to them and give them the drive to become more responsible in using it not just for their benefit but also for the other people.