5 Things Every 21st Century Teacher Should be Using Right Now
Author: Matt O'Donnell
Published: 04.26.13
21st century teachers need to create an environment that allows for effective communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. Here are five things teachers should be using right now to help make this happen.
1. Social Media
- Teachers need to use social media to connect with other educators and
creative people around the world. With social media, teachers can
create their own professional learning network and share their ideas
with a global audience.
Use these resources to get started:
The Honest-To-Goodness Beginner’s Guide To Twitter For Teachers
Twitter For Teachers: Erin Klein’s Awesome 10-Minute Video Tells All
2. Learning Management System
- With the ever increasing number of digital tools available to
teachers and students, management of everything can become difficult.
21st century teachers need to use a Learning Management System like
Edmodo, Moodle or Haiku to keep everything all in one place. LMS’s
improve class communication and allow for a paperless classroom.
Use this resource to get started:
A Quick Guide To Learning Management Systems
3. Video Production
- every teacher and student from K-12 should use video production in
their classes. From flip cameras to iPhones, video cameras are
everywhere and free editing tools make production simple. Video
production projects can include flipped lessons, tutorials,
documentaries or digital storytelling.
Use these resources to get started:
Record the World in Video Production Classes
4. Google Docs
- Microsoft Word is no longer the standard for word processing.
Collaboration is key to 21st century learning and Google Docs makes it
simple to do. Students and teachers can work on the same document or
presentation anywhere with an internet connection at any time. If you
are not already using Google Docs in your classroom you need to start
now.
Use these resources to get started:
Google Docs in the Classroom
The Paperless Classroom with Google Docs
5. Online Gradebooks
- Students and parents need to be able to see grades and progress at
any time. Gradebooks should include digital copies of rubrics, student
work and portfolios to show what is being produced and how it is being
measured. Learning does not end when the bell rings and parents need to
be in the loop on what is happening in their child’s classrooms.
Use this resource to get started:
21C Blog
