Top 10 Requirements for the 21st Century Teacher

Many of my 10 requirements for the 21st century teacher overlaps with simply putting into effect good teaching practices -- engaging lessons, positive relationships, frequent monitoring of progress, skill building, assessing the objective. To dispel preconceived notions of teachers who are apprehensive about so much "change" in the classroom with new hardware and such, I think it's important for all teachers to know that technology does not replace instruction.

I am probably preaching to the choir, so without further ado, here is my list. Teachers should...

1.) be familiar with using Microsoft applications (i.e. Word, PowerPoint, Excel). This is the least we expect of our students, so we should expect the same for ourselves.

2.) be able to model and provide guided and individual practice as they introduce new tools or assignments

3.) create engaging lessons that require students to apply their knowledge and understanding at different levels (analyze, synthesize, evaluate, etc.). Technology should be more than just another platform for reiterating what they've learned. Technology in it of itself is innovation, and we should create tasks that require our students to be innovative, collaborative, inquisitive, and think critically in order to solve problems.

4.) create a blog or maintain a space where students and parents can go to find more information. Montgomery County Public Schools may not have approved the use of blogs in the classroom yet, but they still provide us with Edline, or an online platform that allows teachers to upload or post daily assignments, links, news, and calendar events. It's no use creating a blog at the beginning of the year and it being stagnant all year, so getting into the habit of actively maintaining an online space is a good place to start.

5.) cite sources when you borrow an image or get information from a certain resource. I haven't memorized the formula to citing a web source, but to include a blurb or mention it in class will demonstrate your expectations for the kids when they complete a technology assignment. Hopefully, this will become a part of their routine for future assignments.

6.) be risk-takers. Plan opportunities for student-to-student discourse in your lessons, allowing instruction to be less centralized on the teacher and more on the student. Isn't that what 21st century instruction all about?

7.) embrace technology in your personal life. Try using social bookmarking, RSS feeds, email, social networking tools, online search engines, etc. more regularly so that you can attest to the efficacy of technology and be confident for when you teach it to the kids, their parents, and other teachers.

8.) collaborate with other teachers. See what other teachers are doing to incorporate technology and share with them how you are using it. Technology seems a lot less intimidating (and even inspiring) if we see other people using it.

9.) be familiar with the technology and hardware that is already in their classroom. Computers, scanners, Promethean boards, laptops, Activslates/Activotes, DVD players, digital camcorders, and digital cameras have already been purchased. Let's harness the power of these technologies and use it to capture the attention and cerebral space of our students!

10.) be informed and aware. Whether it be emerging technology or world events, the 21st century teacher is skillful and knowledgeable.