These days everyone is excited about 21st-century learning skills and 21st-century curriculum supported activities. However, very few people question what a 21st-century educator looks like
Let’s take a look:
A 21st-century teacher should be connected. By connected I mean connected to the digital world and connected to students individual learning’s strategies and connected and aware of the world around them through media and community.
A lifelong learner-With technology making new waves and with new gadgets, products, systems, services and apps appearing every day a teacher should be enthusiastic and prepared to learn the ropes to stay up to date and continuous learning.
Tech Savvy- if you aren’t tech savvy now is the time to learn. The blackboard is so 20th century, the whiteboard is heading out the door and Smart Boards are taking the lead. Smart Board training and activities are becoming quite popular in schools especially among students. Some teachers even promote students independence by asking them to mark themselves present using the smartboard when they arrive to class.  The classroom is becoming automated and fully interactive.
Team Player- Long gone are the days when the teacher closed her door and worked alone. Displaying team player attributes are imperative in today’s school environments.  Peer assessment amongst teachers is encouraged in schools and contribution and participation during professional development days is highly valued amongst staff.
Project Based Learning- Students are mass receptors of information and at times become overwhelmed by the amount of data on the net. Teachers must act as information curators and guide students through project based learned versus the traditional book learning. Through project based learning students will be able to develop team building skills as well as self-assess their work and progress. Â To find out more about Project based learning, Â read our blog from last week
Culturally and Socially Sensitive- With global markets emerging and high migration, teachers should be culturally and socially sensitive and accepting. This includes integrating and being sensitive to new family structures and individual differences
If you find that you lack a few or many of these attributes at the present time, do not despair. However, it is crucial that you work towards these attributes and most importantly continue learning and growing as this is the foundation of education and the primary goal of 21st-century education.
Happy 21st century teaching!