exam english
- 16.04.24, 20:29
Recent technological advances have affected many areas of our lives: the way we communicate, collaborate, learn, and, of course, teach. Along with that, those advances necessitated an expansion of our vocabulary, producing definitions such as digital natives, digital immigrants, and, the topic of this post -- "21st-century teacher."
As I am writing this post, I am trying to recall if I ever had heard phrases such as "20th-century teacher" or "19th-century teacher." Quick Google search reassures me that there is no such word combination. Changing the "20th" to "21st" brings different results: a 21st-century school, 21st-century education, 21st-century teacher, 21st-century skills -- all there! I then searched for Twitter hashtags and Amazon books, and the results were just the same; nothing for the "20th-century teacher" while a lot for the "21st": #teacher21, #21stcenturyskills, #21stCTeaching and no books with titles #containing "20th century" while quite a few on the 21st-century teaching and learning.
Obviously, 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. But what does being a 21st-century teacher really mean?
Below are 15 characteristics of a 21st-century teacher:
1. Learner-Centered Classroom and Personalized Instructions
As students have access to any information possible, there certainly is no need to "spoon-feed" the knowledge or teach "one-size fits all" content. As students have different personalities, goals, and needs, offering personalized instructions is not just possible but also desirable. When students are allowed to make their own choices, they own their learning, increase intrinsic motivation, and put in more effort -- an ideal recipe for better learning outcomes!
2. Students as Producers
Today's students have the latest and greatest tools, yet, the usage in many cases barely goes beyond communicating with family and friends via chat, text, or calls. Even though students are now viewed as digital natives, many are far from producing any digital content. While they do own expensive devices with capabilities to produce blogs, infographics, books, how-to videos, and tutorials, just to name a few, in many classes, they are still asked to turn those devices off and work with handouts and worksheets. Sadly, often times these papers are simply thrown away once graded. Many students don't even want to do them, let alone keep or return them later. When given a chance, students can produce beautiful and creative blogs, movies, or digital stories that they feel proud of and share with others.
3. Learn New Technologies
In order to be able to offer students choices, having one's own hands-on experience and expertise will be useful. Since technology keeps developing, learning a tool once and for all is not a option. The good news is that new technologies are new for the novice and and experienced teachers alike, so everyone can jump in at any time! I used a short-term subscription to www.lynda.com, which has many resources for learning new technologies.
4. Go Global
Today's tools make it possible to learn about other countries and people first hand. Of course, textbooks are still sufficient, yet, there is nothing like learning languages, cultures, and communication skills from actually talking to people from other parts of the world.
It's a shame that with all the tools available, we still learn about other cultures, people, and events from the media. Teaching students how to use the tools in their hands to "visit" any corner of this planet will hopefully make us more knowledgable and sympathetic.
5. Be Smart and Use Smart Phones
Once again -- when students are encouraged to view their devices as valuable tools that support knowledge (rather than destructions), they start using them as such. I remember my first years of teaching when I would not allow cell phones in class and I'd try to explain every new vocabulary word or answer any question myself -- something I would not even think of doing today!
I have learned that different students have different needs when it comes to help with new vocabulary or questions; therefore, there is no need to waste time and explain something that perhaps only one or two students would benefit from. Instead, teaching students to be independent and know how to find answers they need makes the class a different environment!
I have seen positive changes ever since I started viewing students' devices as useful aid. In fact, sometimes I even respond by saying "I don't know -- use Google and tell us all!" What a difference in their reactions and outcomes!
6. Blog
I have written on the importance of both student and teacher blogging. Even my beginners of English could see the value of writing for real audience and establishing their digital presence. To blog or not to blog should not be a question any more!
7. Go Digital
Another important attribute is to go paperless -- organizing teaching resources and activities on one's own website and integrating technology bring students learning experience to a different level. Sharing links and offering digital discussions as opposed to a constant paper flow allows students to access and share class resources in a more organized fashion.
8. Collaborate
Technology allows collaboration between teachers & students. Creating digital resources, presentations, and projects together with other educators and students will make classroom activities resemble the real world. Collaboration should go beyond sharing documents via e-mail or creating PowerPoint presentations. Many great ideas never go beyond a conversation or paper copy, which is a great loss! Collaboration globally can change our entire experience!
9. Use Twitter Chat
Participating in Twitter chat is the cheapest and most efficient way to organize one's own PD, share research and ideas, and stay current with issues and updates in the field. We can grow professionally and expand our knowledge as there is a great conversation happening every day, and going to conferences is no longer the only way to meet others and build professional learning networks.
10. Connect
Connect with like-minded individuals. Again, today's tools allow us to connect anyone, anywhere, anytime. Have a question for an expert or colleague? Simply connect via social media: follow, join, ask, or tell!
11. Project-Based Learning
As today's students have an access to authentic resources on the web, experts anywhere in the world, and peers learning the same subject somewhere else, teaching with textbooks is very "20th-century" (when the previously listed option were not available). Today's students should develop their own driving questions, conduct their research, contact experts, and create final projects to share all using devices already in their hands. All they need from their teacher is guidance!
12. Build Your Positive Digital Footprint
It might sound obvious, but it is for today's teachers to model how to appropriately use social media, how to produce and publish valuable content, and how to create sharable resources. Even though it's true that teachers are people, and they want to use social media and post their pictures and thoughts, we cannot ask our students not to do inappropriate things online if we ourselves do it. Maintaining professional behavior both in class and online will help build positive digital footprint and model appropriate actions for students.
13. Code
While this one might sound complicated, coding is nothing but today's literacy. As a pencil or pen were "the tools" of the 20th-century, making it impossible to picture a teacher not capable to operate with it, today's teacher must be able to operate with today's pen and pencil, i.e., computers. Coding is very interesting to learn -- the feeling of writing a page with HTML is amazing! Even though I have ways to go, just like in every other field, a step at a time can take go a long way. Again, lynda.com is a great resource to start with!
14. Innovate
I invite you to expand your teaching toolbox and try new ways you have not tried before, such as teaching with social media or replacing textbooks with web resources. Not for the sake of tools but for the sake of students!
Ever since I started using TED talks and my own activities based on those videos, my students have been giving a very different feedback. They love it! They love using Facebook for class discussions and announcements. They appreciate novelty -- not the new tools, but the new, more productive and interesting ways of using them.
15. Keep Learning
As new ways and new technology keep emerging, learning and adapting is essential. The good news is: it's fun, and even 20 min a day will take you a long way!
I will talk about the qualities needed for a good high school teacher in the US. This will differ for other countries and other grade levels, I am sure.
To me, the most important quality of a good teacher is patience. No matter how good your students are, they will test your patience at many points during the day.
A second very important quality is caring. Maybe it should be first. Students can typically tell which teachers actually care about them -- about them as people and about their learning.
After that, I think a teacher needs to have a quick mind (to deal well with questions and such, but that may be because that is my style of teaching -- another teacher might talk about being very organized and planning well.
As a student I can say, we always consider that teacher truly good who can understand his or her student's psychology and act accordingly.
A good teacher is the teacher who plays these vivid roles together: tutor, controller, friend, feedback etc. The teacher must not be too strict or too retiring. S/he should find out students' demands and fulfill them remaining as much objective as possible. The teacher must not view the class as a place to rule, rather, should better help students feel that they do have an equally important role to play in the classroom. That is why learner-centered classes are getting popularity these days.
Flexibility to differentiate the instruction of the students by their diverse needs and their levels of skill.
Adaptability to accept changes in classroom demographics, class population, budget cuts, and working conditions
Objectivity to avoid their own bias to permeate their instruction
Discipline and Leadership to keep the students focused, motivated, and well-behaved.
Intelligence, of course, to be able to explain in detail, and without unneccesary complexity the things the students need to know.
Self-respect- otherwise the students will not be inspired to have it for either the teacher or themselves.
**Students are a reflection of what the teacher inspires***
In looking at the qualities of a good teacher the first quality that comes to mind is actually wanting to be a teacher. If one choosing a career in something one likes to do, the joy will flow through and make the learning experience for the students and the teaching experience for the teacher so much better.
A teacher needs to be knowledgeable in his/her teaching field.
A teacher needs to be adaptive. Each day student enters the classroom in different moods. One needs to be able to adjust ones own mood to help keep a stable mood in the classroom.
A teacher must be patient and kind.
A teacher should never be condescending.
A teacher should be a team player who works well with other teachers.
A teacher should be creative at adapting materials to fit each individual students learning style.
A teacher should be a lifelong learner. New information is developed daily and in order to be the most effective teacher, one needs to continue to gain knowledge.
A teacher should be consistent and fair.
There are so many qualities that a good teacher should have. My best advice is to tell you to think about the teacher that you disliked the most and don't do anything he or she did. If it left you with a bad taste in your mouth it would do the same for other students as well.
15 Qualities of a Good Student
What Are the Qualities of an Ideal Student?
There is an English proverb that The more you read, the more you learn. However, studying from books alone can never develop an ideal student. In order to be truly good, a student must strive in multiple areas: reading, the practical application of their field, travel, information technology (IT), computer operation, social activities, and leisure. In addition, they should make a point of developing the following qualities.
An ideal student maintains their health and observes religious activities.
They are social and hard-working.
They love their country.
They actively take part in games, sports, and other extra-curricular activities.
They should perform social work.
6. An ideal student makes proper use of their time and never shirks their duties.
7. They obey existing rules and regulations.
8. They devote themselves fully to the pursuit of knowledge.
9. A good student cultivates their virtues and values.
10. An ideal student has noble aims.
11. They give upmost priority to developing their character.
12. They lead a strictly disciplined life and never indulge in evil thoughts.
13. To be an ideal student, a person should spend most of their time acquring knowledge about their chosen field.
14. An ideal student must not dabble in politics, as politics is responsible for many problems facing youth nowadays. A good student bears in mind that their student years are the time to prepare for the struggles of adulthood.
15. An ideal should is sincere, truthful, dutiful, energetic, neat, and clean.
The Role of Technology
A good student should understand information technology. They should have an internet connected laptop or something similar to connect to the world easily. In this area, students in the West have an edge over South Asian students. In order to catch up, we should provide student loans to pay for computers.
The British Education System. State Education in Britain.
All state schools in Britain are free, and schools provide their pupils with books and equipment for their studies.
Nine million children attend 35.000 schools in Britain. Education is compulsory from 5 till 16 years. Parents can choose to send their children to a nursery school or a pre-school playgroup to prepare them for the start of compulsory education.
Children start primary school at 5 and continue until they are 11. Most children are taught together, boys and girls in the same class. At 11 most pupils go to secondary schools called comprehensives which accept a wide range of children from all backgrounds and religious and ethnic groups. Ninety per cent of secondary schools in England, Scotland and Wales are co-educational.
At 16 pupils take a national exam called G.C.S.E. (General Certificate of Secondary Education) and then they can leave school if they wish. This is the end of compulsory education.
Some 16-year-olds continue their studies in the sixth form at school or at a sixth form college. The sixth form prepares pupils for a national exam called A level (advanced level) at IS. Yon-need A level to enter a university.
Other 16-year-olds choose to go to a college of further education to study for more practical (vocational) diplomas relating to the world of work, such as hairdressing, typing or mechanics.
Universities and colleges of higher education accept students with A levels from 18. Students study for a degree which takes on average three years of full-time study.
Most students graduate at 21 or 22 and are given their degree at a special graduation ceremony.
Ukrainian system of education
There are many countries in the world and each country has its own characteristics. It differs from others in culture, in mentality and therefore in the lifestyle. The educational systems of each country are also different. And Ukraine is not an exception.
Children in Ukraine start gaining their education at the age of three when they attend kindergarten. The real school starts for them when they reach the age of six or seven. At the age of ten they become pupils of junior classes. It is not necessary to attend school after finishing junior classes, but the full secondary school programme includes senior classes (age 15-17). These two years of study are obligatory for gaining higher education.
So pupils finish school at the age of 15 or 17. Those who do not wish to continue studying may enter vocational schools, different kinds of technical schools, or just find their jobs and start working.
Having graduated from school at the age of 17 you may become a student at the establishments of high education: a university, a college, an institute. And after that you may become a postgraduate student (in case one wants to work at his or her scientific research and receive the scientific degree of Master or Doctor of Science).
But this stage in the life of Ukrainian people may not be the final in learning. Because the well-known English proverb says As you live so you learn.
If I were asked to describe the ideal teacher, I instantly think of this one person, though I am sure many fit the criteria for an ideal teacher, since it varies student to student. To me, the ideal teacher is someone who makes you enjoy learning, someone who is supportive, and someone who goes above the call of duty to help you out. Not everyone has the chance to find and meet this ideal teacher, but those lucky ones that do find this person, are blessed. I was one of the lucky ones, and I met my ideal teacher in my freshman year of high school. Needless to say, she was my English teacher during my freshman year. When I walked into my English class that first day, I knew I would instantly love this teacher; her crazily outgoing personality, and her silly voices that always made me laugh until I had tears streaming down my face. She once told us that she always wanted to be a voice on Disney, and as much as Disney wouldve been blessed to have her, I am so glad she took to teaching.
This teacher could make my day just with that thought that I was having her class. I was always so excited for the days that I had English class, which was only every other day due to our rotating schedule. I could sit in that class all day, and hated that it was only an hour and a half, because it went by way too fast for me. English had always been my strong point, none the less; I continued to have a strong love for English, and a high grade all year in her class. As I continued to go to this class, I began to love it and her more and more. June came way too fast, and Ill be completely honest, I cried on that last day of school, when the reality hit that I would not have her class again, until I was a senior.
This teacher is such an incredible teacher, that I continued to visit her during my sophomore year of high school, and when I had difficulty I went to her. With a new year came a new teacher, and I had difficulty adjusting to a more laid back, not overly exciting teacher such as she was to me, I even begged to go back to freshman English again. With her help, I eventually came around to liking this new English teacher, though her approach was never my style, and I have yet to find a teacher with the same style as my Freshman English teacher.
Now I am a junior in high school, and yes I still go back and visit this wonderful teacher who still to this day impacts my life in such incredible ways. I visit her every morning before school, and sometimes even after school before practice. She continues to be such a supportive and inspirational woman in my life, and I dont think that will ever end. When I need help or am just having a bad day, I turn to her, and she always makes me feel so much better. When I have a great Cross Country race, or even a bad one she always says shes proud of me, even on the days I come in dead last, and genuinely means it.
Even though I have not had her as a teacher since freshman year, she still continues to play such a crucial role in my life, and continues to go above and beyond for me even though I am technically not her student at the time being. I am blessed to have her in my life, and proud to say she is my teacher, inspiration, support, and friend. For those that are blessed with an incredible teacher, such as I have, embrace it, and never let that go. I know even when I am gone off to college; this woman will forever be a part of my life as a teacher as well as a friend.
My dream school is a school where teaching methods vary from the use of contemporary technologies like robotics to out-of-class experiences. Those experiences are important because they do not confine students to the four walls of a classroom.
There would also be integrated learning of subjects both in the Arts and Sciences so that the education received would not be about confining but expanding. Given choices, students get a sense of freedom, can express opinions and will be more sociable. All these make them better persons in society, possessing a wide range of skills.
My dream school would be complete with amazing facilities like classroom labs, pools, and gyms. A library and counselling centre would be at hand to enable students to be more familiar with their subjects and themselves. Studying in a hands-on environment allows students to use their five senses to gain knowledge. It moulds them to be excited about their abilities and excel with them. Also at hand would be a canteen stocked with healthy food. A balanced diet is vital for students who spend many hours in school. Clean, non-processed, nutritious food is a key feeding requirement for students.
Foreign exchange programs in my dream school would create understanding and respect. They would satisfy curiosities and instil intercultural awareness. They would be open to all students, rich and poor. Including students from all parts of the world would make this education truly global.
Sports would be given equal emphasis with academics. After all, education is not only for the mind but for the whole self mentally and physically. Sporting activities instil a healthy lifestyle by encouraging students to be physically fit, emotionally strong, and have good self-esteem. They build team spirit, and at the same time encourage individuality. Through sports, people from different backgrounds meet and learn to respect each other.
Academic subjects must be relevant. The syllabus would include significant impact fields like environmental studies, political views, and economic struggles. It would grab the attention of students and lead them to action.
Improving schools would require international collaboration. Such cooperation would encourage dialogue and lead to common standards. Nelson Mandela once said, Education is the great engine of development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, that the child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation.
Education can bring a change in someones future as Mr. Mandela observed. The struggle to keep fulfilling that observation must be made by us. Students need to be inspired, amazed and be aware of endless opportunities.
While school is the best thing that ever happened to mankind, there is still yet more to do.
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