Modern teachers are often referred to as the 21st century teachers, the innovative educators of today. These teachers embrace technology in teaching and learning process. But what skills do these teachers have to be considered modern teachers of today?
We have to adopt technology in teaching, and use it efficiently. So that we are not misguided by today’s booming technology, we must be aware of the necessary skills a teacher must have so that using them in teaching will not be in vain.
The 10 skills according to edudemic.com:
Build Your PLN (Professional Learning Network). You are going to connect to people of the same interests around the world. Make use of the different forms of technology to help you connect with them. These people you are connected with can answer your queries, give you ideas, and you can learn from them. As you are connected with different people around the world, you will be amazed of the tons of ideas you get from them which are helpful in your chosen field.
Establish Real Relationship. Take the effort to know the person you are connected with, either online and offline. If you consider the person as important, spend some time either online or offline. Creating conversations will eventually elicit trusts. When trust is achieved, you start exchanging ideas on your field of interest.
Understand where technology fits in education. The coming out of the different forms of technology is unstoppable. There is nothing wrong if educators will possibly adopt what is in it but they must consider its importance. To adopt technology in teaching, we don’t have to use the latest because this might not fit the purpose. We have to figure out how it helps us or what it does to help us.
Know how to find useful resources. As a modern teacher, we must have access to various education technology resources. These are very useful in giving us new ideas; learn from it and apply it in our teaching.
Manage your online reputation. This is making sure you are on the right social networks and you provide accurate personal information. Make sure to close your accounts whenever you decide to stop using the service. This will make other people aware not to expect anything from you anymore.
Know how to correctly blog. Blogging is encouraged of teachers and modern teachers are doing it, but it should be done correctly. Our blogs should be shared only to people who can relate what we are doing because these are the people who can give reactions. People of other interests will perhaps be annoyed. So let us consider the kind of people we are sharing our blogs with. We should also never share personal information of our students or anyone else in our blogs. This may harm other people if we do so.
Slow down. Modern teachers know how to avoid the rush when expecting good results. Don’t rush any lessons because you are catching up deadlines. Make use of technology to help you maximize meaningful learning by the students.
Make social media work for you. This is choosing the best social network to be used in connecting with other people. Figuring out which social network is the best for educators requires trial and error.
Don’t be afraid of failing. As innovative educators, we should not be afraid to fail in whatever endeavor we take to improve our teaching. Trying things to help teaching and learning better than the usual practice is what we desire. Adopting technology for instance has been considered in innovative teaching and learning. We should not be afraid to use different forms of technology and decide which really fits the purpose.
Know when to disconnect. Modern teachers should always know when to stop engaging themselves to this kind of connectivity to other people. They must be aware of the other priorities in their life and work.
To some, technology does not come easy. They struggle with it. But this should not stop us from trying.
Fe V. Consolacion
Foundation University
