21 Signs You’re a 21st Century Teacher

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by Lisa of Simple K12

Are you a 21st Century Teacher?

1. You require your students to use a variety of sources for their research projects…and they cite blogs, podcasts, and interviews they’ve conducted via Skype.

2. Your students work on collaborative projects…with students in Australia.

3. You give weekly class updates to parents…via your blog.

4. Your students participate in class…by tweeting their questions and comments.

5. You ask your students to study and create reports on a controversial topic…and you grade their video submissions.

6. You prepare substitutes with detailed directions…via Podcasts.

7. You ask your students to do a character/historical person study…and they create mock social media profiles of their character.

8. Your students create a study guide…working together on a group wiki.

9. You share lesson plans with your teacher friends…from around the globe.

10. Your classroom budget is tight…but it doesn’t matter because there are so many free resources on the web you can use.

11. You realize the importance of professional development…and you read blogs, join online communities, and tweet for self development.

12. You take your students on a field trip to the Great Wall of China…and never leave your classroom.

13. Your students share stories of their summer vacation…through an online photo repository.

14. You visit the Louvre with your students…and don’t spend a dime.

15. You teach your students not to be bullies…or cyberbullies.

16. You make your students turn in their cell phones before class starts…because you plan on using them in class.

17. You require your students to summarize a recent chapter…and submit it to you via a text message.

18. You showcase your students’ original work…to the world.

19. You have your morning coffee…while checking your RSS feed.

20. You are reading this.

21. You tweet this page, blog about it, “like” it, or email it to someone else…

This is a great list Lisa has put together, so do you have anything to add?

Related posts:

  1. Win a $50,000 21st Century Classroom
  2. Unpack, Upgrade and Bring your Lesson into the 21st Century
  3. Become a 21st Century Teacher in just two hours
  4. 21 Signs You’re a 21st Century Teacher
  5. Welcome to the 21st Century Student Learning Example Page
  6. The Beginner’s Guide to 21st Century Teaching and Learning
  7. 21st Century Tools for Educators

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  • http://cyndidannerkuhn.info Cyndi Danner-Kuhn

    Wish I could claim total credit, but it began at a great site called Simple K12.

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  • http://busemd.edublogs.org/ Busem Dogan

    I loved this post!!!

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  • http://cyndidannerkuhn.info Cyndi Danner-Kuhn

    You make sure really good points. I especially like “You are frequently frustrated by administrators and tech staff that don’t understand how powerful technology can be in the classroom.” and I would add, You are frequently frustrated by IT network Nazi that feel the need to block everything and use the EXCUSE, that they must or the school won’t get it E-rate money.” Of course I am always disappointed when I hear that, since that is the first cluse they have no real understanding of E-Rate.

  • J. L.

    While many of these are great ideas, they also represent a problem with Ed Tech in general, one that I have come across many times before. There is a feeling that if you’re not collaborating across continents or your students don’t use media sharing in class projects about their summer vacation, you are failing. While I know this article is intended to explore some possibilities of 21st Century Teaching, I feel that it is somewhat exclusive.

    Remember, 21st Century Teaching is much more pioneering than innovating.

    – You do interesting things with what you have at hand
    – You stretch the technology at your disposal, instead of lusting after the latest, greatest video conferencing tools.
    – You are constantly petitioning the tech department to open up websites for use in your classroom
    – You are giving speeches at School Board Meetings to allow more utility of technology
    – You are rolling up your sleeves to trouble shoot the technology instead of calling tech-support to do it for you.
    – You are a member of professional organizations focused on integrating technology.
    – You are frequently frustrated by administrators and tech staff that don’t understand how powerful technology can be in the classroom.

    —– Feel free to add more; I think it’s important to be realistic with expectations of Ed Tech, without loosing sight of the promise of technology.

  • Sue

    . . . and we have enlightened governments which provide enough budgets to proved equipment for students to ensure equal access, IT support to keep the equipment operating effectively, PD opportunities for teachers to keep up with changing technology during the day so we can spend time with our families in the evenings AND we have the energy we need to take our students out in the fresh air so we can experience life for real, not just interact with it on a plastic machine. I am just as keen as any other 21st century teacher, but I want to keep things in perspective. Let’s keep the balance, eh? In fact, right now, I am going outside for a walk.

  • http://mcgeef.pbworks.com Florence McGee

    You have your students join you attending virtual authors or webinars while reading the classics on Kindles or iPods in the Media Center.

  • http://www.teachwatts.com Dana

    You realize it’s ok to say: “I don’t know, but let’s go find out on the web.”

    Your students publish their work to a global audience.

    Great post, thanks!

  • Laura Gallagher

    So true! Brought tears to my eyes!

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  • http://WCSTechSpot Laura

    Your bellwork begins with “Take out your computer and log on to…”

  • http://n/a Marie

    You have your students complete work using forms on Google Docs instead of printing paper copies for everyone!

    Instead of borrowing a calculator for Math, the students use the calculators on their cell phones.