Trends and Roles in Education (Roles)

Roles that exist in Education 2014

       Is technology changing the role of Teachers? When talking about 21st 

century learning, there’s one critical component that binds the concept 

together:Technology. It's technology in its various forms that is driving 

innovation, changing the way that students think and, as a result, changing 

the way that teachers teach. Digital acumen in particular, has become one of 

the main priorities of education. It’s a theme and a skill that many futurists 

argue will be number one  for students attending college or for pursuing 

successful careers in the 21st century. Technology has become the norm in 

our nation’s schools, you would be hard pressed to find districts without access 

to computer labs or the Internet. As a result, teachers are beginning to take a 

different approach to education in order to accommodate the needs of 21st 

century students. They’re integrating technology into instruction by 

encouraging students to use computers for research or work with adaptive 

learning technologies to help grasp new concepts. Clearly, technology isn't just 

helping students evolve – it’s also changing the role of teachers in the 

classroom. The educators of today have mastered certain skills that many

instructors in the past never even had to consider. So, how exactly is the 21st 

century teacher different? As we move forward into the future, we now realize 

that all teachers and instructors will need to possess certain attributes. Here 

are a few examples of forward thinking that Educators need to embrace.

     1.   While teachers have always needed to communicate with their 

students, the way in which they do so has evolved. Instead of the usual 

sweater clad walking chalk in front of our classrooms, writing and talking 

about important ideals, they are now encouraging dialogue – allowing the 

students to question what they are learning and to think more critically, the 

feedback is instant and hopefully without ridicule and harassment! 


     2.   In addition to being a good communicator, 21st century Teachers must 

be willing to collaborate with students in ways they haven’t before. This 

gives Teachers the opportunity to work with Students in smaller groups and 

makes the students look at the Teachers on a more even playing field, 

creating a less stressful environment and also encouraging them to be more 

free thinking in the classroom.

        
      3.  Being able to adapt to different learning programs that many school 

districts now use is vitally important. Teachers need to be more flexible and 

adaptive with their lesson plans. They must allow themselves to have the 

ability to customize even their own curriculum and to alter lesson plans. To 

allow dialogue between the Teachers and students only encourages our 

Educators to become partners in the learning process, rather than seeing 

them as being completely separate.


     3.   An interesting way that teachers are changing is that they have become

facilitators of global learning. They help Students discover knowledge on 

their own, rather than simply delivering it. The luxury of the World Wide Web, 

no matter what one thinks of it, is that there is actually very good information 

out there. This places students in an active role, keeps them very engaged 

and as long as they stay focused on the subject at hand, will also keep them

interested in a world that is evolving at an exponential rate.    


     4.   For the more animated Educators that are teaching in the Institutes of 

higher learning, performance art through acting, comedy or just simple role 

playing can definitely assist with engaged learning. When you have pure 

laughter related to curriculum, you have engagement. You will then have the 

Students attention, some of them wanting more and others cringing at the 

thought of the Teacher involving them in a small skit related to curriculum. 

What better way to get the Students ready for life than to role play.

     
      5.  So finally to this blog we go. The responsibilities of Educators as 

directors of learning has been altered. Teachers have taken on other roles in 

their Schools. They liaise with their communities where they educate and bring

forth new technologies and knowledge. They continue to work diligently with 

their fellow colleagues, families, community members, local politicians, 

special needs students and their families; all for the purpose of setting realistic 

goals and mind sets for all students and families involved. Standards for 

knowledge, skills, future technologies and growing up in an ever evolving 

society will be the pinnacle that we hope to attain for our future in education 

and for all students young and old.