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SOLUTIONS FOR ENHANCING TEACHING CAPABILITIES OF
INSTRUCTORS AT TECHNICAL COLLEGES IN THE CONTEXT OF
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IMPACT
Dr. Nguyen Thai Binh
Nguyen Truong To Technical College
Phone: 0918.396.785 | Email: ntbinh@nguyentruongto.edu.vn
Abstract
Digital transformation with the foundation of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in
education in general and vocational education in particular plays a very important role in
innovating teaching methods, developing and creating teaching content to improve the
quality of learners' learning. This article addresses the impact of artificial intelligence (AI)
on teaching activities of instructors in technical colleges, while proposing several solutions
to enhance teaching capabilities for the teaching staff, contributing to meeting the
requirements of vocational education innovation in the current digital transformation
context.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence (AI); Instructors; Capabilities; Digital transformation;
Teaching capabilities.
1. PROBLEM STATEMENT
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) with its foundation in digital technology,
especially artificial intelligence (AI), is dramatically transforming all fields, including
vocational education in general and technical colleges in particular. The application of AI in
teaching activities in vocational education institutions, especially in technical colleges, is
facing urgent requirements to innovate, adapt, and effectively utilize the power of
technology. In this context, instructors are the key factor determining the quality of teaching
and learning and the success of the process of applying AI in teaching activities.
However, reality shows that currently many instructors have not been fully equipped with
knowledge and skills related to AI to be able to effectively integrate it into the teaching
process. At the same time, the lack of synchronization in infrastructure conditions,
appropriate training and development policies is also a significant barrier in enhancing
instructors' teaching capabilities. Therefore, there is a great need for synchronized, practical,
and feasible solutions to enhance the teaching capabilities of instructors in the context of
increasingly strong AI impact.
Based on the above reality, this article focuses on analyzing several solutions to enhance the
teaching capabilities of instructors at technical colleges, thereby contributing to improving
the quality of vocational education in the era of digital transformation and artificial
intelligence.
2. RESEARCH CONTENT
2.1. Basic Concepts
2.1.1 Capability
According to the Vietnamese Dictionary edited by Hoang Phe (2003), "capability is the
ability, subjective or natural conditions available to perform a certain activity" or can also
be understood as "psychological and physiological qualities that give humans the ability to
complete a type of activity with high quality" [5].
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In the document "Developing Technical Capabilities and Thinking" by author Nguyen
Trong Khanh, the concept is presented in a general way: "Capability is the psychological
and physiological qualities of humans that ensure the performance of a certain activity" [4].
Through the above statements, capability is understood and expressed differently, but
generally it can be considered that "Capability is the integration of knowledge, skills, and
attitudes of humans to successfully perform a task under certain conditions."
2.1.2 Teaching Capability
Teaching capability is a type of professional capability that educators need to have in
teaching activities; it is a combination of knowledge, skills, pedagogical attitudes, and
personal experience that allows instructors to effectively perform teaching tasks according
to set standards under certain conditions. Teaching capabilities are built based on the
functions, tasks of instructors and the basic stages of the teaching process [6].
2.1.3 Concept of Digital Transformation
According to Gartner: "Digital transformation is the use of digital technologies to change
business models, creating new opportunities, revenue, and value." Microsoft believes that:
"digital transformation is rethinking how organizations bring together people, data, and
processes to create new value" [7].
In the field of education, author Tran Khanh Duc (2022) has proposed the concept: "Digital
transformation is the use of digital technologies to change educational/teaching models
(organization, activities, processes, tools, interactions...) to create new educational
opportunities, services, and values that are more convenient and effective. Digital
transformation poses new requirements for the teaching staff (digital teachers) and learners
(digital learners) along with new conditions for digital infrastructure, digital platforms,
digital learning materials... for educational, teaching, and educational management
activities" [1].
2.1.4 Concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a field of computer science aimed at creating systems or
machines capable of simulating human intelligence. AI includes capabilities such as [8]:
Machine learning: learning from data or experience
Reasoning to make decisions or solve problems intelligently
Self-correction to improve performance over time
Understanding natural language (like ChatGPT)
Recognizing images, sounds, or surrounding environment...
2.2 Overview of AI Development in Education
2.2.1 Worldwide
Since around the 1970s of the last century, researchers in Artificial Intelligence in Education
(AIEd) have focused on researching and developing computer software to improve teaching
and learning. First, AIEd achieves a long-term goal of collecting learner feedback, assessing
capabilities and causes of weaknesses and limitations in learning outcomes, thereby
personalizing learning for learners. Besides, AI is also expected to be used to explore
teaching-learning theories [8].
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Since 2014, Singapore has initiated and gradually built a "Smart Nation" strategy to
leverage AI to improve education quality for all students. In South Korea, teachers have
been able to use AI-based systems to assign homework based on students' levels and
provide quick feedback on students' performance. Meanwhile, education technology
company Embibe in India has developed AI to explain complex scientific and mathematical
concepts.
2.2.2 In Vietnam
In Vietnam, the National Strategy for Research, Development and Application of Artificial
Intelligence until 2030 according to Decision No. 127/QD-TTg dated January 26, 2021, of
the Prime Minister has assigned the Ministry of Education and Training to take the lead,
coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to implement strategic tasks on artificial
intelligence development until 2030. Among these, one of the key, crucial tasks is to
promote the development and deployment of artificial intelligence applications in Vietnam's
education sector.
2.3 AI's Impact on Instructors' Teaching Activities
In the era of Industry 4.0 with artificial intelligence (AI) as its foundation, many traditional
learning concepts have changed compared to the past, opening up a more open and flexible
educational prospect. This transformation has forced instructors to face new tasks flexibly
and need to be trained to adapt to new tasks promptly. Therefore, the role of instructors is
not simply to transmit knowledge, but also to guide and help learners acquire skills for
global integration. With this new role, according to author Pham Thi Kim Hue: "the value of
instructors is not in lecturing but in being guides and catalysts to help learners know how to
self-direct in learning, adjust the quality and value of new information and knowledge
sources..." [3].
Applying AI in instructors' teaching activities is the use of AI algorithms to increase
automation, personalization, and optimization of learners' learning processes. In addition, AI
platforms can support instructors in searching and recording suggestions from AI to build
new learning programs; quality lectures, increase interaction with learners; support
instructors in monitoring learners' learning progress; provide quick reports to optimize
changes in teaching methods suitable to actual needs [2].
Besides, AI has also strongly impacted and brought many benefits to education in general
and instructors' teaching activities in particular. However, in teaching activities, instructors
also face significant challenges and need to quickly change their approach and working
methods to adapt to changes from AI technology if they do not want to be replaced by AI.
Thus, to adapt well to AI's impact, instructors need to consider learning, training, and
enhancing their capabilities as responsibilities, obligations, and rights. At the same time,
always being confident in professional activities with a proactive and confident mindset will
be the motivation to help instructors receive AI technologies effectively to apply those
achievements in teaching activities.
3. PROPOSED SOLUTIONS FOR ENHANCING TEACHING CAPABILITIES OF
INSTRUCTORS AT TECHNICAL COLLEGES IN THE CONTEXT OF AI
IMPACT
To meet the needs and tasks in the country's economic development work in the face of AI
impact, especially the cause of educational innovation in Vietnam in general and vocational
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education in particular, technical colleges need to continuously improve training quality and
teaching capabilities of the teaching staff through various solutions.
3.1 Training Information Technology Application Capabilities for Instructors
In the current integration trend, vocational instructors need a solid foundation of
professional knowledge, deep understanding of various teaching methods, and flexibility in
application. Therefore, to understand and apply AI effectively in teaching activities,
instructors need to be trained in information technology application capabilities to be able to
apply them well in teaching activities and learning management for learners. To achieve
this, one of the important solutions is to organize intensive training programs on technology
application in teaching. These programs need to be systematically designed, linked to
practical requirements, helping instructors not only master the use of online learning
management software and digital lecture creation tools, but also know how to exploit AI
applications such as virtual learning assistants, automatic grading systems, learner data
analysis tools to support more effective teaching. Updating new knowledge about
technology also needs to be done regularly through online courses, specialized seminars, or
guided self-learning forms.
In addition, schools also need to build policies to encourage, recognize, and reward
instructors who actively apply technology and AI in teaching to create additional motivation
for instructors to proactively learn, experiment, and apply modern methods and tools in the
teaching process.
3.2 Raising Instructors' Awareness of AI Application in Teaching Activities
In the context of rapidly developing technology that is quickly spreading to all areas of life,
instructors not only need to be equipped with professional skills but also need full and
correct understanding of AI's role and potential in education. Technical colleges need to
include digital transformation tasks, especially artificial intelligence application in teaching
activities, in the school's strategic development plan; strengthen propaganda and
organization of dissemination among instructors about the necessity and urgency of AI
application in teaching activities to improve training quality.
In addition, to help instructors better understand the role and application of AI in teaching is
not only a necessary step but also a solid foundation to help instructors adapt to the new
educational context. Through this, help instructors understand clearly that AI cannot
completely replace the role and function of instructors in teaching and scientific research
activities, but to effectively use AI in teaching activities, instructors need to proactively
learn and update new knowledge and AI technology usage skills.
3.3 Enhancing Pedagogical Capabilities
Enhancing pedagogical capabilities for instructors in the AI context is not only an urgent
requirement but also a long-term strategy to develop sustainable education, ensuring the
leading role of teachers in the digital age. To adapt and develop in an AI-applied
educational environment and enhance pedagogical capabilities for instructors, the following
measures need to be implemented:
First, each instructor needs to change their teaching methods when applying AI in teaching
activities and must view this as an inevitable and mandatory requirement.
Second, change their mindset to transform the instructor's role from knowledge transmitter
to supporter, guide, and helper for learners to effectively use AI technology in the learning
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process. This is very important because it determines the quality and effectiveness of
instructors' teaching activities and learners' learning activities.
Third, apply AI tools to implement technology-integrated teaching methods such as: flipped
learning, blended learning, adaptive learning through digital platforms...
3.4 Developing Foreign Language Capabilities for Instructors
To access the knowledge of advanced science, technology, and technology brought by AI
technology development and the trend of global connection and integration with world
education, vocational instructors need to develop foreign language capabilities through
various approaches and measures.
Instructors must have their own plans for learning and training foreign languages to improve
themselves; seek long-term or short-term classes suitable for themselves to participate in
learning to improve foreign language proficiency or self-study through books, newspapers,
movies... Besides, schools also need to create conditions for instructors to participate in
study, research, and academic exchange programs abroad to improve professional
qualifications and expand international vision; organize training sessions and specialized
seminars in English with the participation of reputable domestic and international experts to
create a practical environment to help instructors improve their English ability in teaching
and professional communication; establish English signage and symbol systems on campus
to build a foreign language-friendly school environment, contributing to forming habits of
using English in daily communication of instructors and learners.
3.5 Upgrading Technology Infrastructure
Upgrading existing technology infrastructure and equipment to develop AI applications
serving teaching and research activities of instructors and learning of learners such as:
increasing internet speed, wide coverage, and ensuring sufficient equipment. At the same
time, support and solve technical problems for instructors when applying AI in teaching
activities.
4. Conclusion
In the context of AI technology developing rapidly and gradually affirming itself as a
revolutionary pillar technology in the 21st century - a tool that can completely restructure
education systems in general and vocational education in particular, enhancing teaching
capabilities for instructors is a prerequisite for improving education quality. Therefore, the
solutions mentioned above aim to contribute to enhancing teaching capabilities for
instructors at technical colleges in the context of AI technology impact. However, to
effectively implement these solutions, technical colleges need to have policies to support
instructor training on technology application, especially AI technology in vocational
education; invest in building information technology infrastructure with adequate learning
and research support tools; Besides, training programs also need to be updated and
innovated toward integrating digital transformation, AI technology, and modern educational
technology trends.