3 smart ways to be a future-ready teacher

Today’s global economy, education and learning are synonymous with building future-ready skills. With the Ed-Tech sector on the rise and online learning becoming mainstream, education has shifted gears over the years. Owing to this rapid change, teaching strategies across the globe have evolved like never before. More inclusive approaches are being tried and tested to include to shape not just careers, but the lives of students. We have seen the introduction of new courses with a specific focus on culture, diversity, critical thinking and skill-building. Plus, technology is also playing the role of the facilitator and helping teachers teach better!

This brings us to a question of utmost relevance: Are our teachers prepared to take on a future like this? If not, what skills do they need to pack in to excel?

Make technology your friend

In the 21st century, technology and education are close companions. Students have a range of online learning tools, virtual courses and learning apps at their disposal. In such a scenario, will technology be able to replace teachers? The answer is no but there’s a catch. Which effectively is to befriend technology and create better teaching strategies and impart education in a smarter, much more effective way. As per a report published by Cambridge English, teachers of the English language often have a closed mind about tech because they perceive it to be a potential threat to their profession. On the other hand, teachers with basic level knowledge of technology have a higher pay rate than their tech-avoidant peers.

The choice is yours. You can aim to upskill yourself by learning how to teach online, using a virtual blackboard and creating an online course. In the years to come, artificial intelligence and virtual reality will be a part of higher education.

Teach outside the classroom for a better learning experience

Is learning outside the classroom possible? Absolutely!. While education has typically been confined to classrooms for decades, times are now changing. Books have gone digital and there is a spurt of innovative reading tools such as Kindle and Audible to make the consumption of literature more engaging. Zoom and Google Classroom are the new blackboards. Looking at such developments, there are ample opportunities for teachers to take learning outside the classroom to connect the dots between theory and practice. At Beyond 8, we ensure that our students explore opportunities for hands-on learning.

A classroom, even a digital classroom, is a social group or a community of young people. As a teacher, you must envision directing the energies of your students in a positive direction by nurturing their ideas, giving them safe space and building their conscientiousness. Education then becomes a holistic pursuit and not just a means to gain employment.

Teaching-specific skills

According to Mr Manoj Reddy, a veteran in Earth Sciences and a facilitator at Beyond 8, there are some teaching skills that a teacher must possess:

• How to analogize the mini-lessons so as to make them relatable to students
• The ability to impart a sense of equity and shared responsibility in the classroom
• The ability to break down complex topics into simpler, easily understandable chunks for students to understand
• Clear verbal and written communication enable a teacher to connect with learners with empathy
• Tech-savvy and Internet skills for a richer learning experience for online learning

The road to becoming a better teacher is a long one. The rise in the number of students opting for liberal education, STEM and online learning reveals the need for traditional teaching skills to shake hands with technology.

Conclusion

To sum it up, tech-based teaching strategies are a must, online learning is the new normal and inclusive classrooms help students learn better.

Everything around us is changing and the education system is one of them. With relevant teaching strategies, you surely can adapt to the future of teaching and become a future-ready teacher. To listen more from our end and prepare for the future of education and career, follow our blog and Instagram page. to share your insights, feel free to reach out to us at contact@beyond8.in