What does a 21st Century Teacher Look Like?

What Does a 21st Century Teacher Look Like?


If you were to ask me this question back in August, when I was fresh into the Ed Tech cohort at Brock University, I would have thrown some general terms out at you:
Technology.  Real world learning. Differentiated Instruction.     These were some of the buzzwords I knew, and thought gave me an 'in' into the new century of teaching.

But 21st century teaching is none of these things.
And it is all of these things, at the same time.

To be a 21st century teacher you require a 21st century classroom, but this doesn't mean that your classroom  has to be hardwired with all of the latest gadgets and technological innovations.

It is possible to have the most stripped down, basic classroom in the world- and still engage your students by teaching as a 21st century teacher, because the 21st century teacher is one who elevates the learning experiences in their classroom, so that students are exposed to real, meaningful opportunities for creative risk taking and engagement with what they are learning. 

It is not about just using the buzzwords, but about making them work for our students and our classrooms.
I think one of the biggest things that 21st century teaching is- is learning.  If we are committed to joining our students on this crazy ride that is the changing face of our technological world over the past few years- then we will go far toward helping them to navigate this changing climate in healthy, creative ways that will serve them.

I am so happy to see that 21st century teaching is about celebrating creativity, and encouraging students to find their interests- and learn from and through them.

Certainly, the 21st century teacher has a lot to learn- but we teachers are at our best when we are situated as learners, alongside our students!

21st Century teaching isn't just about technology useage (although technology being such an integral component of our century, it goes without saying that it will certainly serve its place)- it is about using our world's growing knowledge base to help us, and our students, become better and more comfortable learners and explorers.