Today, the public expects educators to help all students hone their ability to meet emerging challenges in an unpredictable world. The world is changing, students are changing, and our education system is changing, too—but in the minds of many people, it is not changing rapidly enough.
The global landscape of the 21st century is being transformed and shaped by increased use of digital communication tools and networked applications, along with the changing characteristics, needs, and demands of students. The 2009 CLEX reportHigher Education in a Web 2.0 World: Report of an Independent Committee of Inquiry Into The Impact On Higher Education of Students' Widespread Use of Web 2.0 Technologies explains that our students are more diverse, many continue to struggle academically, and all are growing up in a digital environment. But the digital world that students experience in school often pales in comparison to what they experience outside of school. We must correct this disconnect. There is hope!
I am convinced that we can benefit from the wisdom of this Chinese proverb: "Do not confine your children to your own learning, for they were born in another time." This is the time to be visionary. We must rethink what, why, how, and to what end students learn.
What do these challenges portend for teachers? Teaching is an art and a science. All teachers must have a clear understanding of the teaching craft and what good teaching looks like. Learning trumps teaching as a focus of teachers' work; therefore, teachers must model learning in their classrooms. In doing so, teaching must become more collaborative, creative, and passionate.
Learning is participatory, personal, and social. Accordingly, teachers must listen to their students and engage them as active learners. They should embrace engagement as a valuable element in their classrooms. Also, school leaders must give teachers the responsibility to shape the conditions that support continuous improvement.
Research findings in recent years provide compelling evidence of the importance of encouraging student control over the learning process. However, in order for self-regulated learning to occur, students will need to be able to choose and personalize tools and content, and they must have access to the necessary scaffolding to support their learning, say experts.
Success for teachers and students starts with inspiration. We must stay committed to inspiring teaching and promoting learning.
Tips for Teachers in a Digital World
Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity;
Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments;
Model digital age work and learning;
Promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility; and
Engage in professional growth and leadership.
We can and need to learn from one another. Social networking is a great way for educators to connect with peers and share ideas, resources, and best practices—think Skype, ePals, and wikis. There are so many amazing free or low-cost tools to connect educators—regardless of where you live and work. ASCD EDge, a professional networking community that's open to all educators, provides a great platform for educators to connect—for free. Also, Verizon Foundation's free digital learning portal provides opportunities for information sharing and connectivity outside the classroom.
