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Module 013: Towards Teacher Quality

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. Cognitive: Demonstrate an understanding of key concepts about the
teacher quality in 21st century education
2. Affective: Enrich a successful awareness in the key concepts about
teacher quality in 21st century education
3. Psychomotor: Able to discuss important matter regarding the teacher
quality in 21st century education.

21st Century Teachers

The 21st century teacher looks forward to the future. They are aware of the
ever-changing trends in technology and are in tune of what the future may
bring to education. A good 21st century teacher is aware of the career
opportunities that will be in the coming years for their students, and are
always advocating towards forward thinking and planning to ensure all
students will not be left behind ([Link] So in this module, it
will discuss the important role and characteristics of a 21st century teacher
that will enhance the level of teaching for the new generation of learners.
Characteristics of a 21st Century Teacher ([Link]
1. A Master of Technology in the Classroom
Technology in the classroom is moving at a rapid pace and the 21st century
teacher moves right along with it. Classroom technology; whether it’s for
lessons, assignments, or grading, can help students learn better and faster, and
help make a teacher’s time more effective. A 21st century teacher does not
have to have a class set of tablets in every child’s hand, or the latest Smart-
board. But they can have a nice balance of educational tools in their classroom.
An effective teacher knows what technology in the classroom can truly help
transform their students’ education. They know what the best tools are, and
how and when to use them.
2. Knows How to Collaborate
An effective 21st century educator must be able to collaborate and work well
in a team. Working with others is an important 21st century skill. Over the past
few years, being able to collaborate effectively in the workplace has grown
quite rapidly. Learning is deemed to be more effective when you can share
your ideas and knowledge with others. Sharing your expertise and experience,
communicating and learning.
3. Is Adaptive

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A 21st century teacher is able to adapt to whatever comes their way. Teaching
is a career that has pretty much stayed the same over the past few decades.
The tools have changed over the years (Smart boards have replaced
chalkboards, tablets have replaced textbooks) but the practice has not. The
21st century teacher is able to look at their practice and adapt based on the
needs of their students. They must be able to adapt their teaching style to
include different modes of learning, adapt when a lesson fails, and adapt to
new technology. They must be able to adapt to the curriculum and the
requirements and be able to use their imagination to teach in creative ways.
4. Is a Lifelong Learner
The 21st century teacher is a lifelong learner. They don’t just expect their
students to be lifelong learners, but they too stay current and on top of what’s
new in education. Even though they may still use the same lesson plan from
years before, they know how to change it to keep up-to-date with what is
current. A great teacher will not only embrace technology, but be willing to
learn more about it.
5. Advocates for Their Profession
t’s a critical time in education and how it and teachers are being perceived.
With the common core being implemented and judged, the teaching
profession is being met with a close eye now more than ever before. Instead of
sitting back, a 21st century takes a stand for themselves and advocates for
their profession. They pay close attention to the important issues and talk
about them with their community. They keep parents and students informed
on what’s going on in education and address on issues head on.
21st Century learning means teaching just as you have done in the past
centuries, but with way better tools. Today’s teachers have a great advantage,
they have powerful learning tools at their disposal that they didn’t have before.
21st Century technology is an opportunity for students to acquire more
knowledge. Teachers have the ability to move away from being the dispenser
of information to someone who can guide them and prepare them for their
future.
Lastly, the 21st century educator must use teaching strategies to ensure that
the focus in education is on preparing today’s children for the future of where
they will live and where they will work, not for our current world.

Roles of 21st Century Teachers

It is clear that the 21st-century classroom needs are very different from the
20th-century ones. In the 21st century classroom, teachers are facilitators of
student learning and creators of productive classroom environments, in which
students can develop the skills they might need at present or in future
([Link] That is why every teachers in 21st century
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learners must clearly understand their role in classroom. Below are the roles
of 21st century teachers ([Link]
1. The Controller: The teacher is in complete charge of the class, what
students do, what they say and how they say it. The teacher assumes this role
when a new language is being introduced and accurate reproduction and
drilling techniques are needed.
In this classroom, the teacher is mostly the center of focus, the teacher may
have the gift of instruction, and can inspire through their own knowledge and
expertise, but, does this role really allow for enough student talk time? Is it
really enjoyable for the learners? There is also a perception that this role could
have a lack of variety in its activities.
2. The Prompter: The teacher encourages students to participate and makes
suggestions about how students may proceed in an activity. The teacher
should be helping students only when necessary.
When learners are literally ‘lost for words’, the prompter can encourage by
discreetly nudging students. Students can sometimes lose the thread or
become unsure how to proceed; the prompter in this regard can prompt but
always in a supportive way.
3. The Resource: The teacher is a kind of walking resource center ready to
offer help if needed, or provide learners with whatever language they lack
when performing communicative activities. The teacher must make
her/himself available so that learners can consult her/him when (and only
when) it is absolutely necessary.
As a resource the teacher can guide learners to use available resources such as
the internet, for themselves, it certainly isn’t necessary to spoon-feed learners,
as this might have the downside of making learners reliant on the teacher.
4. The Assessor: The teacher assumes this role to see how well students are
performing or how well they performed. Feedback and correction are
organized and carried out.
There are a variety of ways we can grade learners, the role of an assessor gives
teachers an opportunity to correct learners. However, if it is not
communicated with sensitivity and support it could prove counter-productive
to a student’s self-esteem and confidence in learning the target language.
5. The Organizer: Perhaps the most difficult and important role the teacher
has to play. The success of many activities depends on good organization and
on the students knowing exactly what they are to do next. Giving instructions
is vital in this role as well as setting up activities.
The organizer can also serve as a demonstrator, this role also allows a teacher
to get involved and engaged with learners. The teacher also serves to open and
neatly close activities and also give content feedback.

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6. The Participant: This role improves the atmosphere in the class when the
teacher takes part in an activity. However, the teacher takes a risk of
dominating the activity when performing it.
Here the teacher can enliven a class; if a teacher is able to stand back and not
become the center of attention, it can be a great way to interact with learners
without being too overpowering.
7. The Tutor: The teacher acts as a coach when students are involved in
project work or self-study. The teacher provides advice and guidance and
helps students clarify ideas and limit tasks.
This role can be a great way to pay individual attention to a student. It can also
allow a teacher to tailor make a course to fit specific student needs. However,
it can also lead to a student becoming too dependent or even too comfortable
with one teacher and one method or style of teaching.

References and Supplementary Materials

Books and Journals

1. Corpuz, B. (2010). Field study 2: Experiencing the teaching - learning process.
Quezon City: Lorimar Publishing.
2. Paez, A.R. and Serrano, E.D. (2015). Principles of Teaching 1. Cubao, Quezon City:
Adriana Publishing Co., Inc.
3. OECD (2013), Teachers for the 21st Century: Using Evaluation to Improve Teaching,
OECD Publishing.
Online Supplementary Reading Materials
1. [Link]
2. [Link]

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