The Major Challenges to my Teaching Practice and my Development as a Teacher in the Digital Age

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.

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/>

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.