Guaki, Michelle Faith
ProfEd 16: Technology for Teaching and Learning
Wed. 5:30-8:30
“Digital solutions can create paths to learning, but equity decides who can walk them.”
I watched the documentary, “Education Crisis & Reform in Asia’s Schools: Shifting Horizons,” and it provides a striking view of how countries like India, China, and Indonesia are tackling long-standing issues in education by turning to technology. From rural dropout rates and underqualified teachers to unequal access and outdated infrastructure, these nations face varied obstacles. Yet, as the film shows, a growing wave of digital innovation is reshaping what learning looks like. Governments, private ed-tech firms, and local educators are leveraging online platforms, artificial intelligence, and mobile learning apps to close educational gaps, especially in underserved communities. While some progress is inspiring, the documentary doesn’t shy away from highlighting the deep digital divide and the cultural and socio-economic hurdles that still stand in the way. By examining both the promise and pitfalls of educational technology, the film makes a compelling case for rethinking how learning systems can be transformed for a more equitable future.
Technological Initiatives
One thing that stood out was the rapid growth and reach of innovation in Asia’s education systems. In Indonesia, an innovative platform is being used to help teachers design better, more interactive lessons. One example really stuck with me: a science teacher guided her students in building artificial lungs to understand how COVID-19 affects the human body. That lesson wasn’t just effective—it was inspiring. What made this possible wasn’t just the teacher’s creativity, but the support she received from a digital tool that offered structured lesson plans and ideas aligned with national learning goals.
The second initiative is from China, where schools have adopted AI-powered education systems. These systems collect and analyze data on student performance, emotional well-being, and engagement levels. One administrator said, “With data from our AI system, we can track not just attendance, but emotional health. It helps us intervene early.” It’s incredible that schools can now offer tailored support to students based on real-time data. But it also raised questions: Could too much data take away from human connection? How do we make sure students don’t feel constantly watched?
How Technology Is Reshaping Teaching and Learning
These technologies are clearly helping to solve real problems. In Indonesia, they empower teachers who may not have received formal training, especially in remote or underserved areas. In China, AI supports both academic and emotional development, which is rarely addressed in traditional systems. But the effectiveness of these tools still depends on the people using them.
The documentary showed that even the best digital tools require thoughtful implementation, professional development, and cultural acceptance. One teacher from India said, “Ed-tech can help, but we need training too. Many teachers don’t know how to use the tools properly.” That’s a reminder that innovation needs human investment to work.
Digital Divide and Equity Considerations
Moreover, while technology has the power to make learning more inclusive, the documentary also revealed how the digital divide is very real. In rural parts of Indonesia, for example, students often share a single phone among multiple siblings. One student said, “Sometimes we share one phone between three siblings. It’s hard to hear the teacher, and the internet keeps cutting.” That’s a reality we can’t ignore—and again, we are reminded that access is still the biggest barrier to progress. The same is true across India and China, where the urban-rural divide, gender inequality, and language barriers all shape who benefits from technology. In some homes, boys are given priority for device use, while girls are expected to help around the house. In others, ed-tech platforms may not support minority languages, leaving out entire groups of learners.
The Impact of the Pandemic on Technology Adoption
If we go back and look at the pandemic period, we can say that it really acted as a major catalyst for tech adoption across all three countries. With schools closed, online learning shifted from an experimental add-on to a necessity. Teachers, many of whom had never used digital platforms before, were suddenly forced to adapt.
In Indonesia, this led to a government push for digital teacher training, helping educators use video conferencing tools and mobile apps. In India, ed-tech companies saw explosive growth. However, the rush also exposed existing gaps in infrastructure and readiness, especially in under-resourced communities. The pandemic showed that while technology can ensure continuity, access and training are just as important for success.
Applying These Approaches to Other Contexts
What’s happening in Asia has lessons for schools around the world. First, investing in teacher support is just as important as student tools. Second, technology should be used to enhance, not replace, human relationships in education. And finally, every tech solution must come with an equity lens—because if we don’t bridge the digital divide, we risk deepening existing inequalities.
The Indonesian example, especially, is also something to reflect on. If students in a rural classroom can build models of lungs and understand complex science through a well-planned lesson, imagine what could happen if all schools had access to that kind of support.
Conclusion
After watching Shifting Horizons? -- It made me realize that the future of education isn’t just digital—it’s equitable, creative, and deeply human. Technology offers incredible possibilities, but only if we use it with empathy and awareness of the realities students and teachers face. Whether it’s through lesson-planning platforms or AI-powered systems, the goal should be the same: to make learning better, fairer, and more meaningful for everyone.
If equity truly comes through innovation, then I believe the future of education in Asia—and maybe even the world—has a real shot at becoming something better than what we’ve known.
