List of 7 must have Teacher Skills in 21st Century

In a digitally interconnected world, everyone from cradle to career needs to acquire new skills and information to succeed. The 21st century has ushered in an era of change, and with it, new opportunities and challenges for every individual. Teachers too have now been exposed to a wide array of opportunities, largely aided by integration of online teaching apps in education. 

To provide the best possible education to their students, it is imperative that teachers acquire skills that are necessary to thrive in the 21st century. More than a fancy buzzword, new-age skills can help teachers become facilitators of learning and empower students to become future-ready! 

Here’s SuperTeacher presenting 7 skills that every 21st-century teacher must develop to facilitate better learning for their students. 

Become Tech-Savvy 

Embracing technology will help teachers improve upon their lesson plans and give a personalized touch to learning. Virtual classrooms, video resources, augmented reality, and other technology tools can make lectures engaging and foster inquisitiveness in students. Technology can also help teachers streamline their work, improve efficiency and take care of their administrative tasks. 

Follow Global Approach 

Tools have transcended geographical boundaries in the 21st century. Teachers can interconnect with other educators from different parts of the world and learn from each other. They can participate in seminars from industry experts across the world. They will further be able to pass on the necessary knowledge and skills to their students and contribute to their long-term growth.

Become Creative  

In today’s era, students need more opportunities to learn ways to brainstorm and think creatively without their browsers.This can be achieved by conducting lectures which are not disrupted by regular class routines, textbooks or assignments. Enthusiastic question-answer sessions, debates and discussions must be conducted where students can express themselves freely and share ideas. An exchange of ideas among the students, and with the teachers will lead to the development of analytical thinking among young minds. 

Make Lessons Relevant

Rote memorization and learning can make any subject seem irrelevant. The irrelevance might lead to a decline in learning productivity due to lack of interest and motivation among students. To be effective, the curriculum must be relevant to a student’s life. Teachers must start teaching with topics that are important in the disciplinary or interdisciplinary study and resonate with learners. Practical and student-friendly topics must be prioritized to ignite their interest in the learning process.

Empathetic Educator

Students who tend to be understood better by teachers establish an emotional connection with them. Such students freely ask questions, share problems and communicate without inhibitions. Empathy is a powerful tool that can help educators understand what drives their students and provide effective strategies to help them.

Constructive Criticism 

As a teacher, it is important to give and receive constructive criticism. It promotes inclusivity and a diverse thought process.. Constructive criticism or feedback further builds an atmosphere of openness and trust in the classroom. 

Love for Teaching

A teacher who loves to teach, tends to inspire students naturally. Students feel encouraged to share ideas and grow as independent thinkers. A teacher must always stay on top of the knowledge curve and innovations to inspire students to become explorers of knowledge.

Teachers must stay updated with the latest industry trends. They should acquire new skill sets not just for their individual growth, but also for the betterment of students. The goal is to enable the students to grow into responsible human-beings who are well aware of their potentials and competencies. So teachers, it’s time to skill up!