The 21st century teacher...
this is a seemingly simple phrase that in fact represents the most innovative
and complicated idea of education. These days, teaching means so much more than
pouring knowledge into students’ heads. An incredible amount of additional
skills and qualifications are imperative to making classrooms successful and
education meaningful. In addition to fulfilling curriculum expectations,
educators need to incorporate skills such as critical thinking, collaboration,
project-based learning and more (Palmer, 2015). An overarching theme of
technological advances is also included. Being a 21st century
teacher seems like an impossible task… so how can we ensure that we are
successfully navigating this journey as educators?
I love that this video describes a few of the many necessary skills that
an educator must include in a 21st century classroom.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwJIhZcAd0I
Being a 21st century
teacher is not without challenges (Rotherham & Willingham, 2009). Many
adjustments need to be made to the current education system; including teacher
education and curriculum reforms, and this will take time. Currently, I think
that our university education is catering towards introducing student-centered
learning skills, however I believe that the program needs to be developed to
further implement these ideas. For example, my placement classes (8P15 and
8P17) have done a phenomenal job of introducing new methods of teaching. In
order to be a ‘cutting-edge’ representation of a 21st century
teacher, I need to incorporate all these ideas that I’ve learned into my
classroom dynamics. I wish for my classroom to positively reflect my teaching
philosophy. For instance, I think community involvement is important, and
therefore desire for my students to learn about how to be good citizens and be
of assistance in the community. Additionally, I want to create a highly
interactive learning environment, where students can be seen collaborating with
others and a love of learning is instilled in children.
It will be a difficult but
rewarding journey to becoming a 21st century teacher. This chart provides a
great example of how truly dynamic an educator must be. It takes an incredible
amount of ability to integrate ideas such as inquiry-based learning and student
community involvement into the classroom. I strive to be a role model for not
only my students but also other teachers. Expert teachers may have more
difficulty becoming a 21st century teacher because they are
accustomed to their regular teaching style that may be considered outdated. The
image below showcases just a few of the many complex ideas that are associated
with the 21st century teacher characteristics.
I have faith in this
student-centered innovative approach and some school boards have already shared
this faith as well. The Peel District School Board dedicates a page to sharing their beliefs about 21st
century teaching and the technological components. I love this because it is a
strategic way for parents and community members to be involved in schools as
well.
The 21st century
teacher ultimately will develop overtime as new knowledge is discovered and in
turn alter their teaching methods. To me, this is an expected process for the
life of a teacher. Our education should not stop when we graduate, but rather
continue throughout our career. Overall I think that the ability to adapt based
on new information is a vital skill that teachers should possess. If we expect
our students to have the initiative to learn, we should have the same
expectations for ourselves. Now is the time to establish what characteristics
of the classroom and of ourselves as teachers we have already established, and
the skills we wish to strive for. I cannot wait to see how my knowledge as a 21st
century teacher can make a difference in the world of education!
References
M MacMeekin (2013, April 3) More on being a 21st
century educator: Morphing into a 21st century teacher. Retreived from:
https://anethicalisland.wordpress.com/2013/04/03/more-on-being-a-21st-century-educator/
Ministry of Education. (2015). Vision for 21st century teaching and learning. Mississauga,
ON. Peel District School Board.
Rotherham, A. J., & Willingham, D. (2009). 21st
century skills: The challenges ahead. Educational
Leadership 67 (1), pages 16-21.
T Palmer (2015, June 6). 15 characteristics of a 21st
century teacher. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/discussion/15-characteristics-21st-century-teacher
