By Lola Digaletos
There are many challenges facing teachers in the digital age. They include understanding how best to use digital resources and tools to engage students, clear communication, differentiation and understanding our role as teachers in a global environment full of information. In this post I will discuss the ones I feel are major challenges to my teaching practice and to my development as a teacher in the digital age.
There are many challenges facing teachers in the digital age. They include understanding how best to use digital resources and tools to engage students, clear communication, differentiation and understanding our role as teachers in a global environment full of information. In this post I will discuss the ones I feel are major challenges to my teaching practice and to my development as a teacher in the digital age.
The National Education Association (n.d) explains how the
4Cs (creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and communication) are vital
skills in this age, and that teachers need to know how to teach these skills to
students.
The 4Cs
<http://nccscurriculum.org/tag/4cs/>
<http://nccscurriculum.org/tag/4cs/>
Understanding how
to use digital resources and tools to teach effectively may not sound like a major
challenge, but it is crucial to be using this technology in a way that best
engages and teaches students - who are digital natives - as it helps to support their learning and boosts their engagement.
Tools such as tablets and Interactive White Boards (IWB) can be used in
innovative ways, letting the whole class interact individually while the whole
class is involved in what is happening. A great example of this in action can
be seen in the below video by TechDecisionsTV.
An example of an IWB in action
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AiCVYcexfg>
The internet is a resource with endless possibilities, both positive and
negative. I must teach students how to be critical thinkers (one of the 4Cs),
so that they can be discerning with content on the web. I must also show them
how to navigate the internet ethically, understanding the meaning of plagiarism
and how to avoid it, being aware of their digital footprint and helping them
understand that they are not anonymous online. They must also be aware of
respecting others online, and avoiding anti-social behaviour like cyber bullying.
Digital Footprint
<https://www.rcmusic.ca/sites/default/files/images/Digital-Footprint.png>
The last major
challenge I will discuss is developing an understanding of my role as a teacher
in the digital age. Gilliam (2012) explains that the role of the teacher is changing. In this age, where students have endless access to information, the teacher
needs to be a facilitator, teaching students skills to understand and use this
information (Gilliam, 2014). She suggests other strategies for becoming a successful
facilitator in this age; such as connecting with other educators to share
resources, making class content accessible online for students to collaborate
outside school hours, and encouraging independent and lifelong learning. As a
teacher in the digital age, I am going to encounter these challenges and more.
I need to confront them by frequently reflecting on and improving my practice,
continuing to learn and develop as a teacher and collaborating with peers to
determine how best to teach and facilitate my students learning.
