Through the use of lesson plans, books, charts, diagrams, graphic organizers and other visual aids, teachers train the minds of their students to explore, inquire, probe and discover. They try to guarantee that knowledge is not mislaid or forgotten but is passed on to future generations. We are now living in the 21st century, amidst fast-changing times, where students tend be more focused and interested in computer games than learning their lessons in the classroom. In these times, how can teachers become effective and successful as educators?
The answer to this is now evident in every school and in every classroom. The teachers are exploring the opportunities and possibilities technology can offer to enhance the quality of their classroom instruction. Teaching with the aid of technology can consolidate student learning by supporting instructional objectives. Nevertheless, one may opt for the best technological device but must not lose sight of the goals for student learning. In other words, what a teacher uses depends essentially on what he or she is trying to achieve. This is a challenging task indeed, but once identified, incorporating these tools can be an eye-opening experience for technology imbues and expands classrooms with digital learning experiences and learning materials, develops 21st-century skills, accelerates student engagements and motivations, and augments learning.
However, use of technology is not enough. Teachers must continue to learn through face-to-face seminars and workshops to enhance their teaching competencies, to learn more teaching strategies and to improve their skills in managing classroom discipline. After all, teachers are the ones who shape their students’ lives in boundless ways both inside and outside the classroom.
By Mary Grace E. Ballesteros