The profession of education is going through unprecedented change. Many aspects of teaching and school will eventually never be the same again. And nor should they. Although wholesale and fundamental change is slow, there are some things that educators will have to accept and embrace (if they plan on being successful and staying in the profession).
These five are:
1) Education is more PUBLIC than ever – I’m tired of the word transparency. And that is really just the beginning of being “public” as an educator in our changing paradigm. We need to showcase our professional work as educators, as well as the work of our students, with larger communities. Venues such as YouTube, Twitter and all Social Media outlets will be a foundational way for us to continue the idea of being public. Whether it’s for parents, administration, district officials, government agencies or others, educators need to fully accept that close doors and private work are gone (as well they should be). Every classroom, school, district and beyond will be daily showcases to the world of what one is doing. Educators will have to be comfortable and excited about showcasing and sharing, or they will have to find a new career.
2) Educators have to COLLABORATE – the word collaboration is almost becoming a cliché. However, as overused as it is, it is an imperative. Educators need to collaborate with other educators (across their campuses and across the globe) on everything from best practices to project ideas. And if educators are doing this only because it’s an expectation, rather than an opportunity, they will undoubtedly miss the true benefits of collaboration. All industries and professions today embrace the concept of real world collaboration – with their immediate colleagues, as well as with those around the world that have new ideas, concepts and challenges to share. Like so many other things, educators need to lead collaboration opportunities or find one of those rare professions today where isolation is still the norm (good luck on that one too).
3) Educators have to CREATE curriculum – the days of depending on a textbook or one packaged curriculum are on their final march. Because of new standards, technology and our ever-changing world, educators will be required to and expected to be curriculum creators. They will need to be curators of varied resources and work together with their students, colleagues and schools to create and customize unique learning experiences. There have always been educators from the beginning of time who did this for a variety of reasons. But we have also embraced a programmed system for years that where curriculum was lead by chapters and tests from textbooks and/or fancy binders. The times are a changin’ – many will be excited and say it’s about time, while some may shed tears as their teachers’ editions and packaged resources eventually disappear. For those that enjoy the idea of finding the best resources, ideas, projects - and continually mixing them like an educational DJ or Chef – they will get the big idea (s) and reap the benefits.
4) Educators will have to be serious users of TECHNOLOGY – whether educators embrace the use of technology wholeheartedly or not, they will have to continually figure out a way to maximize their work, as well as the work of their students, using on-line resources and applications. One does not need to be an expert at all technology, but rather maintain an open mind on how to maximize their students’ success using technology. All other professions seem to realize that they need to figure out ways to embrace and incorporate the latest tools for maximum efficiency, productivity and innovation. Educators cannot be the exception to the rule. As professionals, we have to see how our lessons, activities and projects will connect our students to present and future opportunities. Technology is obviously part of the fabric of that overall design and we have to see it that way. It’s not our job to pick and choose what we like in the world and make that our educational foundation. Rather our job to take the best of the best in available resources and tools in order to optimize the opportunities and success for all students whom we work with in any capacity.
5) Educators need to facilitate COMMUNITY – in an era where students have multiple options on how their education is delivered, including 100% on-line while at home, educators will need to continually develop and enhance their learning communities. Students have and will ask why should they come to school or why should they come to a particular school. Educators will need to answer that question. And because students could just stay home, what are some answers? The relationships, culture and opportunities educators create and foster will make the difference. Will one’s classroom be friendly, supportive, individualized, customized, equipped, exciting, engaging and more? It better be. Educators will have to move away from the past where students just showed up to an environment where students will be choosing to show up – and they will be choosing or not choosing based on the successful presence of the aforementioned qualities of the educator’s classroom and learning environment.
These five are:
1) Education is more PUBLIC than ever – I’m tired of the word transparency. And that is really just the beginning of being “public” as an educator in our changing paradigm. We need to showcase our professional work as educators, as well as the work of our students, with larger communities. Venues such as YouTube, Twitter and all Social Media outlets will be a foundational way for us to continue the idea of being public. Whether it’s for parents, administration, district officials, government agencies or others, educators need to fully accept that close doors and private work are gone (as well they should be). Every classroom, school, district and beyond will be daily showcases to the world of what one is doing. Educators will have to be comfortable and excited about showcasing and sharing, or they will have to find a new career.
(images courtesy of Minarets High School, Foter, Twitter)
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ReplyDeleteThe only things which matter in education are the fundamentals.
DeleteJonathan R. Verlin,
DeleteI hope you are not an educator in any capacity. You may not like these things, but they are a reality. Retiring soon?
If you are or ever have been a teacher, I'm glad you weren't mine. I don't have much of an issue with using it as a means to reflect on practice but if you're going to share data, honesty and transparency at the top are fundamental, especially when it comes to funding and spending priorities. You can't support student learning without these. In Phila., we don't have it -- never had it, never will. It may seem off topic, but it ties in. Without it, none of this means anything!
DeleteAll points well taken, relevant, important. Meant as adjuncts to good leadership, organization, sound teaching principles, and family supportive values.
ReplyDeleteI think this is an excellent article for its breadth of coverage and depth in provoking new thought about a connected and effective education for the 21st century. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLong before the defile of this once great nation by you liberal loons, schools were once the engines of industry and integrity. They would have remained so were it not for your progressive moral relativism and the evils underlying your preposterous and oftentimes demeaning reform initiatives. I am quite confounded and disturbed as to how fundamentally flawed your thinking actually is.
ReplyDeleteJonathan,
DeleteYou go ahead and keep them in rows, working quietly under your factory-like model and see where it gets you. Thankfully, you are now safely in the minority. I'm sure your students are very proud of your efforts and creativity.
Having served as a junior high principal I have been called much worse than a loon. As for a liberal I am proud to have that be my "label". Our world is changing. We no longer live in the industrial age and our students deserve an education that is relevant to their future, not our past. This is an exciting time to be an educator. The changes I see in our schools- project-based learning, genius hour, makerspaces, students driving their own learning and others make me wish I was beginning my career and not in my 40th year. The possibilities are endless!
DeleteI enjoyed this piece because it cogently explains the power shift in education. The teacher is no longer the source of power, information, knowledge & authority- the child is. The lecture method is no longer relevant, the team creates content.
ReplyDeleteIt forces all of us who are educators to facilitate learning that will help children live in an ever-changing world.