The Digital Teacher in a Mobile and Always-on World

This chapter focuses on the question of how the education system has to change to meet the needs of learners in a connected and always-on world. Teachers of the future need to function in a digital world where learners are already comfortable using technologies and are always connected. They will become digital teachers using technology to design, deliver and support learners regardless of the learners’ location, status or education level. The power of the digital technology will allow the digital teacher to cater for learners’ individual needs and allow access to learning materials from anywhere and anytime for lifelong learning. Also, their role will change from teaching to facilitating. However, for these to take place, the education system must be transformed to integrate the use of digital technology for teaching and learning. Teachers should view the use of digital technology as a way to reach the students who were unreachable in the old education system and to provide education for all. The use of emerging digital technologies will meet the needs of the current and upcoming generations of students who are comfortable using technologies. More research is needed to develop digital learning technologies that are seamless for teachers to be an effective facilitator of learning. With emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, the education system will become smarter to address individual learner’s needs so that education can be provided to all.