Teaching and professionalism

These two should go hand-in-hand, and the use of technology in the classroom will ensure their blissful marriage.

As I incorporate 1:1 devices in my classroom, I am inundated with problems to solve that I never experienced before. In a way, I feel as if I’m treading in a choppy ocean with the water’s surface right under my nose. I’m doing fine, but I’m exerting a lot of effort.

This is good. Challenges and problem solving make us stronger. The educator who uses technology seamlessly with a lesson must juggle many balls at once: troubleshooting computers, explaining standards, teaching how to use web-based software, showing students how to effectively collaborate, and then assessing the students and the process in general.

The amount of skills needed to conduct a successful 21st century classroom are wide and deep. My prediction is that in the coming years, the role of the teacher will change dramatically, and the caliber of the teaching candidate will have to be outstanding–much like in other countries. Attempting a career in education should be like attempting a career at Google, and I think we’re headed in the right direction.