The development of online education is an important trend and indicator in the digital transformation of higher education. From the perspective of teachers, this article first explores how digital technology empowers online education and promotes the optimization of the educational ecosystem; secondly, it clarifies the roles and challenges faced by teachers in the digital reform of online education; finally, it points out that teachers should enhance their digital literacy in terms of digital skills, digital awareness, and digital social responsibility, and actively participate in teaching reform and innovation.