5 skills of a modern teacher
Technologies are actively getting into all spheres of our lives, especially in the education sphere. Find out about 5 skills of a modern a teacher to be up to date.
What does it mean to be a modern teacher?
Lately you can hear a lot about students and teachers of the 21st century, and about the projects called connected classrooms. Every day, you learn about new technologies but the process of conducting classes, as unfortunate, does not keep up with the times; even if you apply inverted training, conducting one-on-one lessons using the iPad, and even online in the style of MOOC. How to be a modern teacher, when everyone uses these incomprehensible words all the time?
It’s simple. You just need to pause, take a deep breath, and choose only a few specific trends that you want to use in the educational process. Regardless of whether you want to try to implement BYOD classroom (Bring Your Own Device), inverted or mixed training, it can be done gradually.
It’s not worth to try and modernize the educational process in one evening. On the contrary, this is the key to failure.
Some teachers try to apply iPads for training, giving out 30 of them in the class, and then in the process, they try to figure out which applications should and shouldn’t be used. In fact, in order to use an iPad in the learning process, it takes months of preparation, it is necessary to reach a certain level of professional development. Students’ personal interest is required as well. If they see this as an opportunity to play Angry Birds, then you still have to work on it. Therefore, mastering modern methods is gradual.
And for this you will need the skills that every modern teacher should have. So, if you want to raise the educational process to a new level or improve your digital skills, read on. In fact, the following skills will be useful to any teacher, regardless of age. You can use this list of 10 skills as a kind of a standard checklist.
Make contacts
This is called PNL, which stands for personal learning network or professional learning network. The main thing is to be able and know how to properly establish contacts with teachers, administrators, and students around the world. Such a network of contacts will subsequently help you find the answer to almost any question. Before you go on a trip bringing the technology into the educational process, tell about your idea to colleagues and don’t forget to cooperate with colleagues around the world. Write about it on Twitter, start using Google+, and learn more about Learnist.
Learn to find useful services and resources
There are many services and resources that help integrate technology into education. So, it would be nice to learn the programs for reading RSS and other programs for working with news resources. For example, you can check the account in yourwriters.net or Feedly from time to time. Also, it’s worth trying Zite, Rockmelt, and even Digg. Even though the information they provide is not always relevant to education these programs are necessary for reading for any modern teacher.
Build a reputation online
Someone calls this digital literacy, someone talks about the reputation online, most importantly – a modern teacher should be able to look good online. It’s not about the photos you post on Facebook. But about the fact that you need to make sure that your profile on LinkedIn corresponds to reality.
Don’t be afraid to make a mistake
It is necessary to find and apply the appropriate technology. In 99% of cases the gadget or utility will not be of use to you. But, say, you decided to try something new. And then there will come a time when you will not have to be afraid of making a mistake. Do not be afraid that students, colleagues or administrators will find disadvantages in the approach you’re trying. Believe in yourself and realize that trying is not a sin. Do not be scared. Be immersed in this business, applying new technologies, and do not regret. Most importantly, if you do not achieve the desired result, or do not reach any at all, don’t be afraid to leave this idea behind and move on.
Know how to relax
Finally, this is perhaps the most necessary skill for a modern teacher. You need to know when to stop. It’s worth to feel when working with Twitter starts to tire, and it’s time to do something else. Whether it’s planning an activity or just resting and watching a movie, diversity is the key to success. It is very important to become a modern teacher, who will not falter for a year.