USING digital tools in the classroom is not about letting screens take over while teachers take a back seat, says Petaling Utama district education office chief officer Haniza Mohd Jabar @ Ibrahim.
Instead, she said, it is about teachers adopting technology to provide interactive and student-centred learning that prepares students for a future where technology will be at the forefront of almost every aspect of life.
Equally important is developing students who are responsible users of technology.
She added that Thrust Two of the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2026-2035 focuses on optimising each student’s potential through meaningful education.
“In this borderless world where information is so easily accessible, education cannot only focus on technological skills, but must also shape students with digital ethics, integrity and a strong sense of identity,” she said when launching the Digitalisation and Safe Content Programme at SK Taman Megah, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, on June 22.
Describing digital technology as a catalyst for pedagogical transformation, Haniza said teachers are no longer just transmitters of information and knowledge but facilitators who guide students to explore knowledge actively and independently.
“Through the use of digital platforms and open educational resources, our teachers can provide interactive and student-centred learning experiences in line with future needs,” she said.
Facing online threats
During the launch, SK Taman Megah Parent-Teacher Association chairman Yuwaraj Kumar Balakrishnan said many people think going digital is about having the right technological tools, but it is a lot more than that.
“We all know that technology and social media are part of everyday life. However, easy access to social media platforms poses big threats such as cyberbullying, online fraud and unsafe content,” he said.
Without the right guidance and tools, children can fall victim to these threats, he added.
While the school embraces the use of digital technology in the classrooms, Yuwaraj Kumar said it also makes it a point to highlight the risks of excessive screen time.
One example, he added, is the storytelling skits conducted in both Bahasa Malaysia and English by parents every other week before school starts.
From users to creators
SK Taman Megah headmaster Zubir Yaacob said students need to be aware of risks, including false information and excessive social media use, even though they usually use technology for learning, communication and research.
This was the idea behind the school’s Digitalisation and Safe Content Programme.
The programme, which aligns with the Education Ministry’s Digital Education Policy, aims to teach pupils not only how to use technology but also how to become smart, ethical and responsible digital citizens.
Themed “Creative, Digital, Safe – A Wise Generation”, the programme seeks to transform pupils from passive consumers into positive digital content creators.
Its highlight is the launch of Megah PLUS, a school-curated, safe YouTube channel featuring pupil-made videos, digital safety tips and school activities.
The programme also aims to build pupils’ confidence and content creation skills through the production of TED Talks or short videos on science, technology and everyday problem-solving.
“The pupils now realise they can create content that is factual and intellectual, while also being trendy and something people like to watch,” said Zubir.
“It is an important step in our efforts to protect and empower our children in the challenging digital era,” added Yuwaraj Kumar.
Haniza said the programme, the first of its kind in the district, is important in building awareness about cyber safety, rejecting cyberbullying and teaching pupils how to evaluate information.
“We want to produce a generation that is not only digitally literate, but also has values and morals,” she added.
