SCHOOLS IN NEED OF NEW GENERATION TEACHERS

SCHOOLS IN NEED OF NEW GENERATION TEACHERS

“Today’s digital kids think of ICT as something akin to oxygen; they expect it, it’s what they breathe and it’s how they live.” —Learning in a Digital Age, John Seely Brown

The teachers deal with 21^st century learners who are the first generation literally born with the hand held smart devices, i-pads and laptops. These students do not marvel at technology, it is like a way of life for them; they accept it, adapt to it and use it effectively. This generation of learners comes into schools where the teachers are marveling at the technology boom and are not able to keep the pace with it. These teachers are struggling to keep the students engaged in the confinement of the classrooms.

They may resist learning about new technology. Some educators feel intimidated by students’ knowledge of tools they do not understand. Most of them work in environments where professional development is under emphasized and undervalued by their school leaders. Many teachers spend less than 8-10 hours of training each year, when so few hours are dedicated to training, most of the teachers do not experience a lot of improvement in their teaching. They need support and planning time. The number one reason teachers experience dissatisfaction with their jobs, causing them to either leave their profession or transfer to other schools, is lack of effective leadership, lack of professional development and lack of planning time.

The teaching learning requirements are evolving. Technology serves as an extraordinary tool to shape and enhance the learning environment. Along with equipment, digital literacy skills are absolutely necessary to ensure the technology is used to supplement high quality instructional methods. Great teachers using digital technology will be the most powerful educators in the 21st century. Technology requires teachers to play more of a facilitator role—rather than a more directive or authoritative one. This new role conflicts with traditional teaching methods and requires teachers to step back and allow learning to happen without their hands-on direction.

To effectively engage and teach 21^st century students, the curricula must be designed to promote a collaborative learner-centered environment to which students will relate and respond. As ICT is integrated into classrooms, and embedded in the instructional and assessment strategies educators must have continuous professional development to enhance their competencies and skills.

What is your leadership style?

Challenges of being a 21st Century School Leader... Promoting a collaborative and distributive leadership in school.

The field of EDUCATION has been experiencing sweeping changes since I was a regular student for 20 odd years of my life, to the time I became a new teacher full of bright ideas and colorful dreams for the a good part of my professional career, and even now being an administrator for over a decade.

Presently, as I pursue higher degree in teacher leadership it is increasingly evident that there is a need of a paradigm shift in the way the schools are being led. School leadership plays a vital role in setting the culture of the school right from what happens in the classrooms, to the staff lounges, in the meetings or in the board rooms.

It is imperative that teachers are encouraged and empowered to share the rich diversity of thoughts, opinions, ideas and experiences to bring in the best practices from which the students will benefit the most.

Not so long ago, I heard a person of authority mention that even though one may be knowledgeable, experienced and hardworking - that is not the only criteria which will take him forward. Additionally, one has to be political and shrewd to lead schools.

 

I was stumped when I heard this statement, after so many years of collaboration with and learning from people with whom I interact, I have become a firm believer that 21st century working environment in schools should be firmly based on the ethos of shared decision making, teacher empowerment, setting up collaborative environment and building supportive climate to nurture the diversity of learning styles and leadership among teaching faculty.

I invite you to reflect and share your thoughts on 

What is your leadership style?

Has it evolved over time?

Do you adopt different styles for different situations?

As a leader in your own right, your style at work has an impact on everything you do, from taking decisions at department level, planning instructional strategies, managing colleagues and staff to making strategic decisions. Hence with the changing scenarios in the school environment how important it is to update our skills as leaders in 21st century schools?