New SN Educator Fellowship to deepen expertise in developing digital proficiency among students

New Smart Nation Educator Fellowship to deepen expertise in developing digital proficiency among students

1. The Ministry of Digital Development and Information and the Ministry of Education (MOE) will launch the Smart Nation Educator Fellowship in 2025 to grow a pool of experts in the Education Service to continuously hone the digital proficiency of our students. It is envisioned that Fellows will lead and inspire their peers to strengthen the development of students’ digital skills and cyber wellness, such as through the design of meaningful teaching and learning experiences.

2. Educators play an important role in inspiring our students to embrace the potential of technology, and navigating the risks involved. Educators need up-to-date insights on digital issues, their implications on society, and their impact on teaching or learning. This helps them to better understand their students’ needs in digital skills and cyber wellness development, and how best to approach these needs.

3. Under the six-month¹ Fellowship programme, participants will gain insights on emerging technological trends through practical, real-world experiences of technology. They can also look forward to engaging in panel discussions with local and international industry experts, academics, and policymakers, and participating in hands-on workshops and learning journeys. The programme will allow participants to translate the knowledge and skills they acquire into curriculum design or effective teaching and learning strategies that support students’ development of digital skills.

4. Participants who are keen to delve deeper into digital issues and their implications on society are welcome to sign up for optional modules under the Fellowship. These modules could include visits to companies or deep dives on specific topics.

5. Over the next five years, we will aim to provide Fellowship opportunities to build a core pool of about 250 educators with deep knowledge on ways to effectively develop students’ digital skills. The Fellowship is targeted primarily at Teacher Leaders and Senior Specialists² who play an important role in shaping the national curriculum and championing professional development and pedagogical excellence among the teaching fraternity. These roles enable them to effectively share their insights from the Fellowship with other teachers and amplify the Fellowship’s benefits across the education system.

6. This Fellowship complements existing professional learning support to upskill our teachers, such as opportunities offered by the National Institute of Education and the Academy of Singapore Teachers, including out-of-classroom learning opportunities such as the Teacher Work Attachment Plus programme and Learning Journeys.

¹The programme duration, inclusive of optional modules, will be capped at 80 hours.

²Senior Specialists help to shape the national curriculum. Teacher Leaders include Master Teachers, Lead Teachers, and Senior Teachers. They play an important role in championing professional development and pedagogical excellence among the teaching fraternity.