No Teacher Left Behind
Bringing Teachers into the 21st Century
How would you suggest we, as a nation, provide consistent learning opportunities for teachers and ensure that they are not left behind in learning about new techniques and strategies? Should all teachers across the country use certain practices? If so, what would those be?
To bring teachers into the 21st century they need a lot of training. They need conferences, workshops, great mentors and professional training days. For many teachers this seems impossible because of all the things they do already. To ensure that teachers are willing to takes these opportunities to learn the school principals should offer incentives like comp time or extra pay. These training sessions should offer hands on training that show teachers how to have class room management and to hold their students attention. These learning opportunities should offer lectures from great experienced teachers.
Many colleges like ECU in North Carolina offer weekend conferences and in most cases you are paid for travel and meals and the lodging is free. Conferences like these can be very helpful in teaching teachers what they need to become great.
Should all teachers across the country use certain practices? If so, what would those be?
Teachers should use certain practices across the country. They should use the standards and policies set forth by their district. They should also use the curriculum that teachers the students to think critically and upon graduation the students will be able to go to college and become more globally essential. Teaching students technology for the 21st century in all subjects but especially in math, science and language arts will help the students to become what employers are looking to hire uopn graduation of high school or college.
Share your thoughts on How well teachers are being prepared to master the ISTE Standards for Teachers Standards in their classroom?
The ISTE Standards are the standards for learning, teaching and leading in the digital age and are widely recognized and adopted worldwide. I Know that at the school I teach we have technology meetings twice a month that show teachers how to use computer programs that help move teachers into the digital age. We email students, post classroom and homework assignments, post lessons for parents to see and understand what their children are doing in the classroom. We post grades and there is a digital drop box for students to post their work. This helps the students become acquainted with digital drop box that they will use in college and in life. I hope all schools are teaching these skills to their teachers to help them become great teachers.
References
Newman, R. (2013). Teaching and learning in the 21st century: Connecting the dots. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
International Society for Technology in Education - Home (no date). Available at: http://www.iste.org/ (Accessed: 14 March 2015).