What does it mean to be an educator in the 21st century?

For me, to be an educator in the 21st century requires many strengths and a lot of creativity. Before this semester, I had thought that teaching in the 21st century would require so much more use of technology, as in just the internet. However, I have discovered that this is not the case. In my own education, I had used computers for typing projects, finding information on encyclopedias, and using the internet as a tool to find sources for projects. I have learned that this is not the only way to use technology in today’s classroom. There are so many projects that students can create that are very technologically advanced. Programs such as Frames, Imovie, and Garageband are very easy to use, especially for younger students and students can use as much creativity as they want. In classrooms now, it seems as though Powerpoint presentations are no longer the “hip” thing to do, but create movies from Frames or create a podcast on Garageband. These programs are easy enough to use that children of any age can use them and fit any unit that is currently being taught in the classroom.

I had also thought that by being an educator in the 21st century, it is not acceptable to use strategies from years past. For me, that vision has changed. From my Children’s Literature class, I have developed and discovered many strategies that I can use, which are from years past that have worked very well. Discussions, writing journals, and literature circles were strategies that my former teachers had used in my classrooms. Those strategies seemed to work well for them, and they achieved much participation from the class. I had not realized how my former teachers used strategies to teach students, but now it makes sense. I have learned other strategies, including using Smartboards as technology in my classroom, to help my students interact in class and learn in a hands on environment.

As I become an educator in the 21st century, I have learned that change is good, but not all change needs to occur. I have become very fond of the idea of using technology in my everyday lessons, especially since my students will have the opportunity to have a hands-on lesson. I have also learned that not all strategies that teachers used in the past are bad. I do like to have my students actively participate, and some of the previous strategies that teachers have used incorporate that. As I become a teacher, I hope to continue to incorporate technology that is advancing, along with the older strategies to get my students to be active and have fun while they’re learning.