How is the role of the teacher and learner changing in the 21st century?

I would like to begin by saying that the question “How is the role of the teacher and learner changing in the 21^st century”, can be answered by examining the question in itself. The role of the 21st century teacher is constantly changing. We are now, more than ever, willing to change and implement our strategies to better reach our diverse learners. The 21^st century teacher is a positive, proactive and productive thinker who understands that the world is evolving and he or she adapts in order to responsibly use the technology that their students are acclimatized to using every day. I truly believe that by embracing the future of learning and endeavoring to use it responsibly we will become better teachers.

It is important to note that the 21^st Century learner is a student who likely has grown up with the instinctive knowledge to understand and manipulate touch screen technology, to type out homework on a laptop, and to do research for a school project using primarily the Internet. We need to consider the use of technology as an educational tool and it is important to enforce that with our students. Teacher’s need to adapt. Technology can have almost limitless benefits within a classroom. It is no secret that children love technology.

The 21^st Century teacher can easily see how bringing technology such as an interactive whiteboard has already changed the future of how students learn. Differentiated instruction is brought to a whole new level. Children are familiar with the touch screen technology and whether a child is a visual, kinesthetic or audio learner, all different types of learners can benefit from using the Smart Board.

This is my first AQ course, I specifically chose this course hoping that by the time I am finished I will have an edge on many of the other recent graduates who are also taking AQ courses and striving to get on school boards. I am most interested in learning how to successfully use social media within the classroom. I would like to be one of the teachers of the 21^st century who pioneers the movement to understand and learn how to use technology in the most effective and educational way possible.