In the fast changing world of the early 21st century public education is also changing. As part of the changes the role of schools and education will also be different both in the educational system and in the society. Together with them the role of teachers will also change.
Together with the changes, new expectations appeared towards our schools. Nowadays schools need to teach their learners how to gain information and how to select and use them. This happens so quickly that students learn how to use the Internet together with their teachers. Parents are involved in decision-making so they take part in the life of the school. It is no longer enough to send the kids to school in the morning, pick them up in the afternoon. Parents have to; have a view of what is happening in the educational institution.
The changes that took place in schools have changed the roles of teachers, too. In the past teachers used to be the major source of knowledge, the leader and educator of their students’ school life. Teachers would organize after school activities. They used to be the authority in the class and often took over the role of parents.
Nowadays, teachers provide information and show their students how to tackle them. Although they are still considered to be a kind leader in the class, they can be thought of as facilitators in the learning process. They are supporters rather than educators and also advisors towards parents.
If we focus on the teaching process, we still realize that there are a great number of changes in this field as well, and all of them have an influence on the role of teachers. First of all, teachers in modern classrooms are no longer lectures, they are facilitators, their main task is to set goals and organize the learning process accordingly.
Teacher tasks in the 21st century is represented by the technical background they need to be able to use and handle effectively, instead of teaching chalk face, they need to be an information technology expert.
One of the biggest challenges for teachers is that their role in the school management has also changed. The school needs them as individuals, who can make decisions and cope with the stress of the changing world. At the same time teachers need to be able to work in teams, co-operate with colleagues and parents, they have to work as ONE.
By: Alma R. Garcia | Head Teacher III | Bonifacio Camacho National High School | Abucay, Bataan
