What is a Future Ready Educator?

 

Future Ready Educator

Future-ready educators will be able to successfully choose and apply technology to personalize instruction for each student at the students own pace.

Characteristics

Reflective - When students are not maximizing their learning opportunities, reflective teachers might look for new ways to engage their learners with technology (Thomas, 2016).

Co-learner - Though educators shouldn't be expected to be experts in every aspect of their fields, they should serve as role models for students in how to use the resources at their disposal to engage content with curiosity, a focus on problem-solving, and a willingness to collaborate in the creation of new knowledge. In essence, educators should model the kind of learning they want to see in their students (Thomas, 2016).

Collaborator - Technology allows future-ready teachers to collaborate outside of their current institution. With the use of technology, they will be able to work together with instructors in other cities and countries to broaden the perspectives of both they and their students (Thomas, 2016).

Flexible - A flexible instructor will carefully consider teaching approaches in order to choose the best ones, whether that be the newest EdTech or a good, old-fashioned paper-and-pencil activity, rather than just immediately choosing the high-tech option (Lynch, 2018).

Determined, passionate, lifelong learners - A teacher who is committed to taking advantage of professional development is one who is prepared for the future. They are deeply interested in what piques their students’ interest. They model what it is to be a lifelong learner (Thomas, 2016).

Informed - A future-ready teacher is current on technological trends. See the examples of trends below.

·         By combining several functions on a single platform, learning management systems (LMS) can greatly simplify the job of teachers (CB Insights, 2020).

·         Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are also seeing a resurgence in popularity as a way to further one's knowledge. Adult learners in particular are using these programs, which are accessible to anyone with a digital device, to upgrade their knowledge or pick up new skills in order to change occupations (CB Insights, 2020).

·         By letting students interact with the subject directly, virtual reality (VR) can be used to improve learning and engagement (CB Insights, 2020).

·         On the other side, augmented reality (AR) overlays digital components including images, sounds, and text onto the environment of a user (CB Insights, 2020).

·         With the aid of face recognition technology, teachers can monitor student attention, identify boredom from their facial expressions, and know when to make their lessons more engaging (CB Insights, 2020).

·         By integrating game design features like narrative, problem-solving, badges, levels, and points into instructional environments, gamification in education aims to increase learners' motivation and engagement (CB Insights, 2020).

·         Through text or multimedia communications, artificial intelligence (AI) and chatbots can assist students in learning content at any time or location. They can also serve as a teacher's assistant and give each student individualized feedback (CB Insights, 2020).

Summary

To summarize, future-ready teaching supported by technology will give teachers access to people, information, resources, knowledge, and learning opportunities that will empower and inspire them to deliver more effective instruction.

Resources

CB Insights. (2020, October 2). Covid & Post Pandemic Education: 6 ways tech could transform how we teach & learn. CB Insights Research. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://www.cbinsights.com/research/back-to-school-tech-transforming-education-learning-post-covid-19/

Lynch, M. (2018, September 24). What does the future ready teacher look like? The Edvocate. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://www.theedadvocate.org/what-does-the-future-ready-teacher-look-like/

Thomas, S. (2016). Future Ready Learning: Reimagining the Role of Technology in Education. 2016 National Education Technology Plan. Office of Educational Technology, US Department of Education.