15 Characteristics of a 21st-Century Teacher

Recent technological advances have affected many areas of our lives: the
way we communicate, collaborate, learn, and, of course, teach. Along with
that, those advances necessitated an expansion of our vocabulary, producing
definitions such as digital natives, digital immigrants, and, the topic of this post
-- "21st-century teacher."

As I am writing this post, I am trying to recall if I ever had heard phrases such
as "20th-century teacher" or "19th-century teacher." Quick Google search
reassures me that there is no such word combination. Changing the "20th" to
"21st" brings different results: a 21st-century school, 21st-century education,
21st-century teacher, 21st-century skills -- all there! I then searched for Twitter
hashtags and Amazon books, and the results were just the same; nothing for
the "20th-century teacher" while a lot for the "21st": #teacher21,
#21stcenturyskills, #21stCTeaching and no books with titles #containing "20th
century" while quite a few on the 21st-century teaching and learning.

Obviously, teaching in the 21-century is an altogether different phenomenon;

never before could learning be happening the way it is now -- everywhere, all
the time, on any possible topic, supporting any possible learning style or
preference. But what does being a 21st-century teacher really mean?

Below are 15 characteristics of a 21st-century teacher:

1. Learner-Centered Classroom and Personalized Instructions

As students have access to any information possible, there certainly is no

need to "spoon-feed" the knowledge or teach "one-size fits all" content. As
students have different personalities, goals, and needs, offering personalized
instructions is not just possible but also desirable. When students are allowed
to make their own choices, they own their learning, increase intrinsic
motivation, and put in more effort -- an ideal recipe for better learning
outcomes!

2. Students as Producers

Today's students have the latest and greatest tools, yet, the usage in many
cases barely goes beyond communicating with family and friends via chat,
text, or calls. Even though students are now viewed as digital natives, many
are far from producing any digital content. While they do own expensive
devices with capabilities to produce blogs, infographics, books, how-to videos,
and tutorials, just to name a few, in many classes, they are still asked to turn
those devices off and work with handouts and worksheets. Sadly, often times
these papers are simply thrown away once graded. Many students don't even
want to do them, let alone keep or return them later. When given a chance,
students can produce beautiful and creative blogs, movies, or digital stories
that they feel proud of and share with others.

3. Learn New Technologies

In order to be able to offer students choices, having one's own hands-on

experience and expertise will be useful. Since technology keeps developing,
learning a tool once and for all is not a option. The good news is that new
technologies are new for the novice and and experienced teachers alike, so
everyone can jump in at any time! I used a short-term subscription to
www.lynda.com, which has many resources for learning new technologies.

4. Go Global

Today's tools make it possible to learn about other countries and people first
hand. Of course, textbooks are still sufficient, yet, there is nothing like learning
languages, cultures, and communication skills from actually talking to people
from other parts of the world.

It's a shame that with all the tools available, we still learn about other cultures,
people, and events from the media. Teaching students how to use the tools in
their hands to "visit" any corner of this planet will hopefully make us more
knowledgable and sympathetic.

5. Be Smart and Use Smart Phones

Once again -- when students are encouraged to view their devices as

valuable tools that support knowledge (rather than distractions), they start
using them as such. I remember my first years of teaching when I would not
allow cell phones in class and I'd try to explain every new vocabulary word or
answer any question myself -- something I would not even think of doing
today!

I have learned that different students have different needs when it comes to
help with new vocabulary or questions; therefore, there is no need to waste
time and explain something that perhaps only one or two students would
benefit from. Instead, teaching students to be independent and know how to
find answers they need makes the class a different environment!

I have seen positive changes ever since I started viewing students' devices as
useful aid. In fact, sometimes I even respond by saying "I don't know -- use
Google and tell us all!" What a difference in their reactions and outcomes!

6. Blog

I have written on the importance of both student and teacher blogging. Even
my beginners of English could see the value of writing for real audience and
establishing their digital presence. To blog or not to blog should not be a
question any more!

7. Go Digital

Another important attribute is to go paperless -- organizing teaching resources

and activities on one's own website and integrating technology bring students
learning experience to a different level. Sharing links and offering digital
discussions as opposed to a constant paper flow allows students to access
and share class resources in a more organized fashion.

8. Collaborate

Technology allows collaboration between teachers & students. Creating digital

resources, presentations, and projects together with other educators and
students will make classroom activities resemble the real world. Collaboration
should go beyond sharing documents via e-mail or creating PowerPoint
presentations. Many great ideas never go beyond a conversation or paper
copy, which is a great loss! Collaboration globally can change our entire
experience!

9. Use Twitter Chat

Participating in Twitter chat is the cheapest and most efficient way to organize
one's own PD, share research and ideas, and stay current with issues and
updates in the field. We can grow professionally and expand our knowledge
as there is a great conversation happening every day, and going to
conferences is no longer the only way to meet others and build professional
learning networks.

10. Connect
Connect with like-minded individuals. Again, today's tools allow us to connect
anyone, anywhere, anytime. Have a question for an expert or colleague?
Simply connect via social media: follow, join, ask, or tell!

11. Project-Based Learning

As today's students have an access to authentic resources on the web,

experts anywhere in the world, and peers learning the same subject
somewhere else, teaching with textbooks is very "20th-century" (when the
previously listed option were not available). Today's students should develop
their own driving questions, conduct their research, contact experts, and
create final projects to share all using devices already in their hands. All they
need from their teacher is guidance!

12. Build Your Positive Digital Footprint

It might sound obvious, but it is for today's teachers to model how to

appropriately use social media, how to produce and publish valuable content,
and how to create sharable resources. Even though it's true that teachers are
people, and they want to use social media and post their pictures and
thoughts, we cannot ask our students not to do inappropriate things online if
we ourselves do it. Maintaining professional behavior both in class and online
will help build positive digital footprint and model appropriate actions for
students.

13. Code

While this one might sound complicated, coding is nothing but today's literacy.
As a pencil or pen were "the tools" of the 20th-century, making it impossible to
picture a teacher not capable to operate with it, today's teacher must be able
to operate with today's pen and pencil, i.e., computers. Coding is very
interesting to learn -- the feeling of writing a page with HTML is amazing! Even
though I have ways to go, just like in every other field, a step at a time can
take go a long way. Again, lynda.com is a great resource to start with!

14. Innovate

I invite you to expand your teaching toolbox and try new ways you have not
tried before, such as teaching with social media or replacing textbooks with
web resources. Not for the sake of tools but for the sake of students!

Ever since I started using TED talks and my own activities based on those
videos, my students have been giving a very different feedback. They love it!
They love using Facebook for class discussions and announcements. They
appreciate novelty -- not the new tools, but the new, more productive and
interesting ways of using them.

15. Keep Learning

As new ways and new technology keep emerging, learning and adapting is
essential. The good news is: it's fun, and even 20 min a day will take you a
long way!

As always, please share your vision in the comment area! Happy 21st-century
teaching!

https://www.edutopia.org/discussion/15-characteristics-21st-century-teacher
How to Become a 21st Century
Teacher
3 years ago
by Charlotte Nichols
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Written by Charlotte Nichols

Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Critical thinking – or “the four C’s.” These are
the four components of the much talked-about 21st century learning and innovation skills, a
movement and framework that illustrates the skills and knowledge needed for students to
succeed in school, work, and life.
The ability for students to collaborate, work on authentic problems, and engage with the
community is believed to be what will separate those who are prepared for increasingly complex
life and work environments, and those who are not.

Tyler Tarver, Miner Academy Principal & Learning Bird lesson contributor acknowledges that
“ the job landscape is changing” and that “students are attending school every day to train for
jobs that could very well not exist yet,” making the need for these 21st century skills to be all the
more important.
Teachers know about these skills and believe them to be important. They also understand the
teaching methods that are required to promote them and believe them to be effective, yet
research shows they are not using them. A recent study showed that most instructional time is
composed of seat work and whole-class instruction led by the teacher. Even when class sizes are
reduced, teachers do not change their teaching strategies to use more student-centric methods.
Part of the 21st century skills movement’s plan is the call for greater integration with technology.
Not only is mastering technology and computing devices an important 21st century skill, but
technology also gives teachers the opportunity to enhance their lessons, making them more
engaging and effective. An online tool like Learning Bird provides teachers with a diverse
library of digital content for differentiating instruction in the classroom. They can also view and
be inspired by other teachers’ lessons, adding to their professional development and opening up
opportunities for classroom innovation. Such a tool will also promote the self-directed study
skills that are so key to student success.
Tyler Tarver also explains “The thing we must remind ourselves is that people are the same,
learning is similar and the general purpose of school is the same as it was 10, 20, or even 50
years ago. The only thing that’s changed are the tools we use to allow students to learn.”
Integrating technology and encouraging development of the 21st century skills can be an
overwhelming task for teachers, particularly those who have been doing it for a long time and
now need to adjust their teaching practices. It’s also difficult for educators to understand what
they should actually be doing in their classrooms. At Learning Bird we understand teachers, and
we understand technology, so we have come up with our top nine practices for a 21st century
teacher. What should they be doing? What should their classrooms look like?
Be student-centric
The 21st century teacher is a facilitator. The student is an active participant, learning by doing.
The focus should be on the students; their needs, abilities, and preferences for learning. There are
three different models for student-centred learning:

1. Inquiry-Based Learning: based on asking challenging questions so students are motivated

to delve deep and explore new avenues of thinking and knowledge.
2. Problem-Based Learning: students engage in complex real-life problems and work
collaboratively to find a solution.
3. Project-Based Learning: students work for an extended period of time on a problem that is
reflective of what people do in the everyday world outside the classroom.
Mix and match these learning models or find the one that works best for you and each of your
students.
Integrate Technology
We all know that the one-size-fits-all model doesn’t work anymore and we need to aim for a
one-size-fits-one solution. Technology is becoming more readily available in classrooms today
allowing for a more enhanced learning experience for students, who can learn at their own pace
with the tools they are most comfortable with. This is not to say that pen and paper is dead, but
technology is an effective supplement to, or even replacement for, more traditional teaching
methods. This is known as Blended Learning – a common technique used in today’s modern
classrooms and by today’s 21st century teachers. Check out a recent post on Blending Like A
Smoothie.
Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation have put together a neat illustration to
show the different types of blended learning techniques. For more information on the specific
types of blended learning click here.

Adapt to your students

Every student is different, not just in the way that they learn but also in terms of their
personalities and cultural backgrounds. Bear these differences in mind when you set tasks for
your students and do your best to personalize your teaching so that you can do the best for every
child in your class. Technology can be a useful tool when it comes to personalizing content for
your students. Be sensitive to the diversity in your classrooms, respect, and get to you know each
of your students so that they feel valued.

Be social-savvy
It’s not just kids who are hooked on their social media, but it is becoming an increasingly
important tool for professionals. And it’s not just about staying connected but it serves many
other purposes such as professional development, researching, and networking. The prevalence
of social media in education has really given a new dimension to the industry and opened up
doors for educators.

Here are five ways you can use social media to stay in the 21st century’s social circle:

Be in touch with your students. Having an

understanding of social media and seeing the digital world from their point-of-view will mean
that you can help them to use the platforms effectively so they can solve problems, research, and
communicate appropriately.

Improve communication with students, parents and peers. For example, share class updates
with parents via a classroom blog, or setup a Facebook group and communicate homework
assignments with your students.

Stay informed and up to date with relevant trends and tools in the industry. Use social media
sites to create and share your own professional content as well as to navigate and learn from
content created by other professionals.
Be aware of school / district policies so that you can use social media appropriately on your
own and with your students, and stay inside school approved guidelines.

Educate students about online safety and the impact of sharing their personal information
online or with people they don’t know.

Give positive feedback

A “well done” or “great effort” is sometimes all that’s needed to show you recognize and
appreciate your students’ work. Little effort on your part, but a big impact on your student.
Publicly praising positive behaviour will let your students know that you are celebrating their
achievements and also creates a successful, supportive and encouraging environment in which
your students will thrive.

Inject some personality

“Don’t smile until christmas” was the most common piece of advice that I heard from fellow
teachers on starting a career in teaching. However, things have changed and research has found
that an authoritative and coercive style of teaching only disheartens learners and kills their
motivation. Don’t be afraid to use humour now and then to increase student engagement and
spice up your teaching. When students understand that you are a human being too, they are more
likely to have confidence and express themselves.

Set the scene

A structured learning environment that is planned and well-organized is key to student success.
Particularly when you are integrating technology and more student-centric learning techniques
into your classroom, it’s important to maintain the attention span and give very clear instructions
and guidelines. Letting students know where the line is and what they are expected to achieve
will help them to set their own goals and be self-directed in their learning.

Assess your students

Assessment doesn’t just mean making your students take lots of written tests. Incorporate
regular performance-based assessment so that instead of asking the traditional question “Do you
know it?” you are asking the question “How well can you use what you know?” Assessments,
just like instruction, should be tailored to the individual needs and abilities of each student.
Incorporate quizzes, polls, or even projects to determine your students understanding and needs
so that you can plan your teaching time accordingly.
 Love your job
As Abraham Lincoln once said “Love the job you do and you will never have to work a day.”
The best way to motivate and get students interested in your subject is to have passion for it
yourself and convey this passion to everyone and most importantly to your students. Your
positivity will only rub off on them in a positive way and they will be much more likely to
engage in your lessons and be successful in their learning.

Continue to follow our Teacher Tech-niques series on the blog and you will be equipped with all
the tools you’ll need to become a tech champion and make a difference to the students in your
classroom and around the world. Want to become a Learning Bird star contributor? Well, you
can even share your own lesson content with us and when one of your lessons in rated as being
‘helpful’ by a student, we will share 50% of that child’s subscription fee with you. Create, share,
get rewarded!
Role of 21st century teachers
“I am a teacher! What I do and say are being absorbed by young minds who will echo these
images across the ages. My lessons will be immortal, affecting people yet unborn, people I will
never see or know. The future of the world is in my classroom today, a future with the potential
for good or bad. The pliable minds of tomorrow's leaders will be molded either artistically or
grotesquely by what I do.

Several future presidents are learning from me today; so are the great writers of the next
decades, and so are all the so-called ordinary people who will make the decisions in a
democracy. I must never forget these same young people could be the thieves or murderers of
the future.

Only a teacher? Thank God I have a calling to the greatest profession of all! I must be vigilant
every day lest I lose one fragile opportunity to improve tomorrow.” - Ivan Welton Fitzwater

Schools in the 21st century are laced with a curriculum for life aimed at engaging students in
addressing real-world problems, issues important to humanity, and questions that matter. In the
21st Century classroom, teachers need to be facilitators of student learning and creators of
productive classroom environments.

The focus of the 21st Century classroom is on students experiencing the environment and
challenges they will face when they enter the global world market as workers. The present
curriculum used in this classroom aims to develop their higher order thinking skills, effective
communication skills, and knowledge of technology that students will need in their workplace.
This in turn sets the challenge for the teachers to embrace new teaching strategies.

It is said that teaching as a profession makes other profession. Teachers play a unique role of
preparing students to become worthy members of all professions of the world. They therefore
shoulder a responsibility and opportunity to mould future generations.

Need of the hour-Change in Teacher’s attitude

Just as the classroom is changing, so must the teacher adapt their roles and responsibilities?
Teachers are no longer teaching in isolation. They now co-teach, team teach, and collaborate
with other department members. The revised Blooms Taxonomy wants teachers to be creators
of knowledge and thinking professionals (earlier the continuum of thinking skill would start from
knowledge and ends at evaluation; but as per the changing times, the revised version starts
from remembering and ends at creating)
With globalization we see an emerging ‘global society’ driven by technology and communication
developments. This ‘global society’ is shaping the students as ‘global citizens’ and intelligent
persons with multi-skills and knowledge to apply to the competitive and information-based
society. Teachers today find themselves in an education system in which they are no longer the
sole ‘fountain of information’ but the facilitators and pointers towards information. In view of
these changing facts, we need teachers who can survive moreover excel in the present times.

In the present times, we need teachers who:

 Create strategic readers.

 Create strategic writers.
 Create independent thinkers.
 Create problem solvers.
 Give students the necessary knowledge and skills to enable them to become
independent learners.
 Induce Critical Thinking and Problem Solving attitude
Needed traits of the 21st Century Teacher

1. Driven to Learn - teachers must be driven to learn in order to teach effectively in

the 21st Century. It is no longer acceptable to teach only from a textbook, to rely on the
same worksheets and methods year after year without at least questioning them and
researching why they are the best resource available. There is simply too much new
information, too many new strategies, and new learning available to us to ignore the
implications it may have for students in our classes.
2. A Media Creation Expert - Whether posted online or simply used in the
classroom, our materials must be highly engaging and effective. PowerPoint and Word
are becoming antiquated as newer and more powerful presentation and editing suites
become available to teachers. It is our responsibility to compete (where necessary) with
the quality of video games and media construction in order to hook students into great
learning. As media conscious teachers, we can win student attention by working with
them, not against them, for their learning
3. An Empathetic Mentor – “One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant
teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings.”Gone are the
days when teachers dole out assignments and send students on their merry way. A
modern educator realizes the plethora of factors impacting students in our current world,
and strives to tailor learning where possible toward individualized needs and
interests. This student-centered focus also creates learning opportunities for the teacher
to learn with students, developing their teaching and collaborative skills.
4. Reflective teachers - with the ability to comprehend the applied nature of
education, and utilize the knowledge gained.
5. Encourage students’ curiosity and intrinsic motivation to learn- The teacher
helps students become independent, creative, and critical thinkers by providing
experiences that develop his/her students’ independent, critical and creative thinking and
problem solving skills. Students are actively involved in their own learning within a
 climate that respects their unique developmental needs and fosters positive expectations
and mutual respect.
6. Effective communication skills- We need teachers who has agility and
adaptability, effective oral and written communication. We need teachers who can use
language to foster self-expression, identity development, and learning in her students.
7. Recognize and respect the individual differences- In schools, a teacher has
to perform multifarious tasks for all round development of the children. Besides the
normal day to day activities, it is their responsibility to handle children with special needs
effectively in classroom as well as outside the classroom. These children may act and
behave differently. They exhibit some special characteristics, which may be different
from their normal counterparts. Therefore, the successful inclusion of children with
special needs into the regular school setting is largely dependent on the attitudes of
teachers and their recognition of the child’s right to participation.
Conclusion:

“I've come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It's my
daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a
child's life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can
humiliate or humour, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a
crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or de-humanized.”
- Dr. Haim Ginott

To face the challenge of present times, our teachers need to keep abreast of what is happening
in their field. As lifelong learners, they need to be active participants in their own learning and
incorporate the traits needed to compete in present globalized world.