DELIMa to democratise education
THE Education Ministry is out to democratise education for all with its Digital Educational Learning Initiative Malaysia (DELIMa) platform.
Formerly known as Google Classroom, the online learning platform now has tech giants Apple and Microsoft, on board to help teachers and students fully embrace digital learning.
Saying that it’s no longer okay to use chalk and talk in the classroom, education director-general Dr Habibah Abdul Rahim stressed that digital learning must be embedded in the school culture.
She said teachers should take up the challenge, engage, participate, collaborate and not to be afraid to embrace migrating towards digital teaching and learning (PdP).
At the recent online re-launch of the platform, she said DELIMa’s design provides plenty of options for teachers so they can decide what is most comfortable and appropriate for their PdP.
“This is about democratising education for all and DELIMa intends to deliver.
“It provides teachers the applications and services that are beneficial for teaching and learning, to make their lives easier and more productive.
“Teachers can then create interesting learning activities, have more fun and become more collaborative.
“They are provided with webinars, courses, information and resources on DELIMa,” she said during the ‘Malaysia Towards Digital Learning in the New Normal’ webinar on Monday.
The ministry, she said, has been actively encouraging teachers and students to log in and use the platform.
The movement control order (MCO) acted as a catalyst to accelerate digital transformation as teachers are now engaged in the delivery of new technologies for digital learning, she said.
“Innovative teachers have begun to create YouTube videos, materials and activities for learning.
“This new trend of teachers being creators is amazing (and) I encourage them to continue their creative ways.
“DELIMa hopefully allows teachers to reimagine learning and leverage off this new technology.”
To do so, teachers must take on the challenge to relearn and use different technologies for PdP, she said, adding that it’s vital for school leaders to play their role in supporting this change.
DELIMa’s design, she said, represents key digital learning concepts.
“Firstly, it democratises learning by giving teachers options and supporting collaborations.
“Secondly, it focuses on digital learning for students by equipping them with future skills and competencies.
“Lastly, it enables teachers to develop a community where they can share their expertise and skills while improving themselves and others.”
By using one ID, Habibah said teachers and students can use DELIMa services, which includes content from the National Library, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Unicef.
Google Malaysia country head Marc Woo said: “Whether we continue to adopt digital and distance learning, or embrace a hybrid schooling model (post-MCO), Google is committed to working with the ministry to keep Malaysia learning.”
The integration of technology as seen through the launch of DELIMa is groundbreaking, both in terms of its scale and how uniquely it touches on every aspiration laid out in the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2012-2025, said Microsoft Malaysia managing director K Raman.
“We believe in the power of technology to make education more accessible, inclusive and enjoyable, allowing more people to benefit from a quality education, regardless of their surrounding or circumstances,” he added.