Strengthening Educators’ Skills: Lessons from the Pandemic Era

COVID-19 has had various effects on education. It has alerted authorities to the need for online and distance education that is more feasible. Further, it has (re)introduced several educational tools and platforms. What occurs now that the world has entered the endemic stage? This paper addresses the question of how educators at the National Defense University of Malaysia (NDUM) can prepare for analogous situations to COVID-19. Consequently, two research queries are formulated. First, what lessons could be learned about teaching during the pandemic, and second, how should one best prepare for the uncertain future of teaching? This paper’s methodology included a content analysis of previously published papers with similar research interests and the author’s experience when she participated in an emergency remote teaching practice for the first time. Preliminary findings reveal the importance of preparing students, educators, and institutions for the unknown; this paper concentrates on physical or digital presences of educators, which is essential for ensuring effective teaching and learning. Given these, hybrid/hyflex teaching necessitates an equal presence of educators in both physical and online instruction. This demonstrates the significance of encouraging educators to enhance their physical and online presences so that students can participate in meaningfully engaging learning.