Characteristics of a 21st Century Teacher

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.

Here are few characteristics that I am exploring and starting to see as crucial for educators in the 21st century and beyond, as we continue to live in a world that is continuously changing, and moving at tremendously fast speeds.

The four C's of classroom development need to be integrated.

• communication:  open and clear with the students.

• collaboration : working hand in hand and at the same speed, space and level as the students.

• creativity : bringing up new innovative methods of teaching.

• critical thinking: analyse and evaluate for better judgement.

Relationship builder:

 In a world that is becoming more and more complex, students need to know that they can trust the educators to see them as individuals, and that they are valued.  None of the other strategies or approaches will matter without this foundation.

 Reflective:

Reflection becomes essential in this process.  This is crucial that we embed time in our days and the days of our students to not only reflect, but make their own connections to learning.

 Good learner:

New resources and initiatives will always be part of education, and we need to critically think about them, and ask questions to move forward, but we need to model the same openness to learning and change that we expect from our students.

 Inclusive:

Every single individual has different experiences and strengths that they bring to the classroom, and we are all better if we look to tap into those strengths and build a community around them.  

Innovator:

Innovation is about creating “new and better” things; it can be iteration (a remix of something) or invention (something totally new), but it has to be better.  As the skills that students need in our evolving world become increasingly complex, we have to be in the mindset where innovation in the norm, not the exception.

Leader:

We not only empower people to lead, but give them the opportunities to lead from where they are.  If only a few people are “allowed” to lead, meaningful change will happen at a much slower pace
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In this day and age, all the above qualities will not only help develop a better atmosphere in a classroom or school but also improve standard of education for the students of the 21st century as well. Our teachers should not only upgrade but he/she must also remember that the students of this world are also changing at a rapid pace.

 Their attitudes and  outlooks are also under continuous up gradation, keeping these changes within the students in mind , the teachers of today should research new horizons. 

The video below explains the concept further: