by Nor Nazeranah Haji Omar Din

The advent of technology has revolutionized various sectors, including education. The traditional classroom setting is gradually being replaced by virtual learning environments (VLEs).

The paradigm of virtual learning environments (VLEs) has transformed the landscape of higher education, offering unprecedented opportunities for learners to access diverse and flexible courses from anywhere in the world. However, this shift raises a critical question of whether educators are still needed in this new paradigm or whether they can be replaced by technology.

Educators are still essential for facilitating effective and meaningful learning experiences in VLEs. The educators’ roles and responsibilities are being redefined and adapted to the changing needs and expectations of learners. Educators are not only content providers or facilitators but also mentors, coaches, designers, evaluators, and researchers who can enhance the quality and effectiveness of learning experiences in VLEs.

One of the main reasons why educators are needed in VLEs is that they can provide guidance, feedback, and support to learners, which are crucial for enhancing their motivation, engagement, and achievement.

According to Moore’s theory of transactional distance, the degree of separation between learners and educators in VLEs can create a psychological and communicational gap, which can negatively affect the quality of learning outcomes (Moore, 1993). Therefore, educators need to bridge this gap by establishing a sense of presence, rapport, and trust with learners and by providing timely and constructive feedback on their progress and performance. Moreover, educators can also scaffold and facilitate learners’ interactions with the content, peers, and experts, which can foster deeper and more active learning processes (Anderson, 2008).

Another reason why educators are needed in VLEs is that they can design and deliver pedagogically sound and relevant learning activities and assessments that can cater to the diverse needs, preferences, and goals of learners.

In conclusion, the need for educators in the virtual learning environment is not diminished but transformed. They remain a vital cog in the educational journey, providing guidance, personalized learning experiences, motivation, and valuable feedback. As education continues to evolve, so too will the role of educators, underscoring their enduring importance in the learning process. Therefore, educators need to embrace the opportunities and challenges that VLEs present, and to develop and update their knowledge, skills, and competencies, to meet the
demands and expectations of the 21st century learners.