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The Characteristics of a 21st Century Teacher...

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The Characteristics of a 21st Century Teacher...

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Being a 21st Century Teacher is a lot more than just knowing how to work the latest gadget.

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What does it mean to be a 21 st century teacher? You may have heard the term "21 st century" being tossed around in the media referring to what's cutting edge in education. Beyond being up-to-date with the latest in technology in the classroom, what does a 21st century teacher actually look like? Here we will take a look at a few of the key characteristics of a 21 st century educator and some applicable teaching strategies.

Teaching Strategies: A 21st Century Educator Prepares for the Future

The 21 st century educator looks forward to the future. They are aware of the ever-changing trends in technology and are in tune of what the future may bring to education. A good 21 st century teacher is aware of the career opportunities that will be in the coming years for their students, and are always advocating towards forward thinking and planning to ensure all students will not be left behind. Lastly, the 21 st century educator must use teaching strategies to ensure that the focus in education is on preparing today's children for the future of where they will live and where they will work, not for our current world.

Technology in the classroom is ever-changing and moving at a rapid pace. The 21 st century teacher is one that moves right along with it. Technology in the classroom, whether it's for lessons, assignments, or grading, can help students learn better and faster, and help make a teacher's time more effective. A 21 st century teacher does not have to have a class set of tablets in every child's hand, or the latest Smartboard. But they can have a nice balance of educational tools in their classroom. An effective teacher knows what technology in the classroom can truly help transform their students' education. They know what the best tools are, and how and when to use them.

Knows How to Collaborate

An effective 21 st century educator must be able to collaborate and work well in a team. Working with others is an important 21 st century skill. Over the past few years, being able to collaborate effectively in the workplace has grown quite rapidly. Learning is deemed to be more effective when you can share your ideas and knowledge with others. Sharing your expertise and experience, communicating and learning from others, and being able to self-reflect is an important part of the learning and teaching process.

Is Adaptive

A 21 st century teacher is able to adapt to whatever comes their way. Teaching is a career that has pretty much stayed the same over the past few decades. The tools have changed over the years (Smartboards have replaced chalkboards, tablets have replaced textbooks) but the practice has not. The 21 st century teacher is able to look at their practice and adapt based on the needs of their students. They must be able to adapt their teaching style to include different modes of learning, adapt when a lesson fails, and adapt to new technology. They must be able to adapt to the curriculum and the requirements and be able to use their imagination to teach in creative ways.

Is a Lifelong Learner

The 21 st century educator is a lifelong learner. They don't just expect their students to be lifelong learners, but they too stay current and on top of what's new in education. Even though they may still use the same lesson plan from years before, they know how to change it to keep up-to-date with what is current. A great educator will not only embrace technology, but be willing to learn more about it.

Advocates for Their Profession

It's a critical time in education and how it and teachers are being perceived. With the common core being implemented and judged, the teaching profession is being met with a close eye now more than ever before. Instead of sitting back, a 21 st century takes a stand for themselves and advocates for their profession. They pay close attention to the important issues and talk about them with their community. They keep parents and students informed on what's going on in education and address on issues head on.

21st Century learning means teaching just as you have done in the past centuries, but with way better tools. Today's teachers have a great advantage, they have powerful learning tools at their disposal that they didn't have before. 21st Century technology is an opportunity for students to acquire more knowledge. Teachers have the ability to move away from being the dispenser of information to someone who can guide them and prepare them for their future. Ultimately, the 21 st century learner will be "learner-driven," where they choose how and what they want to learn. The teacher will serve as a facilitator and guide to help embrace 21 st century learning.
What do you think a 21st century looks like? Do you think they must have a set of specific skills and characteristics? Please feel free to share your thoughts with us below. We would love to hear what you have to say. Janelle Cox is an education writer who uses her experience and knowledge to provide creative and original writing in the field of education. Janelle holds a Master's of Science in Education from the State University of New York College at Buffalo. She is also the Elementary Education Expert for About.com, as well as a contributing writer to TeachHUB.com and TeachHUB Magazine. You can follow her at Twitter @Empoweringk6ed, or on Facebook at Empowering K6 Educators.

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Teaching Strategies: What a 21st Century Educator Looks Like

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What does it mean to be a 21 st century teacher? You may have heard the term "21 st century" being tossed around in the media referring to what's cutting edge in education. Beyond being up-to-date with the latest in technology in the classroom , what does a 21st century teacher actually look like?

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Or, The Characteristics of a 21st Century Teacher

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Or, The Characteristics of a 21st Century Teacher

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A big takeaway from my research has been approaching learning in different ways.

Learning doesn't need to take place in a classroom or with a text. 21st Century Learning can take place in unconventional places, like Youtube.

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When I think of modern teaching, I think of PBL.

Project-Based Learning is inline with the communication and authenticity of 21st Century instruction.

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Project Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects.

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Khan Academy is really representative of an important  21st Century skill.

Khan Academy encourages people to learn "at their own pace and outside of the classroom." Teaching students to become lifelong learners is a skill they will need to remain adaptable in the future.

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An important skill for the 21st Century is critical thinking.

This needn't be limited to distinguishing between the relative value of different sources, and should include how to approach, analyze, and solve problems.

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At the left is an overview of the first three dimensions. In sum, the elements or structures of thought enable us to "take our thinking apart" and analyze it. The intellectual standards are used to assess and evaluate the elements. The intellectual traits are dispositions of mind embodied by the fairminded critical thinker.

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21st Century teaching is about teaching students to take an active role in their own education.

This article humorously tackles the infamous question, "Why are we learning this?" and provides useful information for student-centered learning

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Student-Centered Learning: It Starts With the Teacher

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Teachers encourage student-centered learning by allowing students to share in decisions, believing in their capacity to lead, and remembering how it feels to learn.

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Resources like Code.org are helping students learn skills which they will need in the job market.

21st Century Teaching is about teaching the skills that they will need for the future.

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Learn computer science. Change the world.

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Every student in every school deserves the opportunity to study computer science.

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The importance of collaboration is emphasized throughout these resourced, but I found this video to be very fitting.

One of the speakers notes the need to explicitly teach collaborative skills before employing collaborative strategies.