Leaders create a culture where teachers and learners are empowered to use technology in innovative ways to enrich teaching and learning.
At first glance, teachers are responsible for delivering content efficiently and developing their students’ skills. Indeed, they are, but teaching responsibilities overcome those tasks. An empowered teacher develops a culture of engaged students’ learning, facilitates students’ learning, and guides them in following their learning pathways. An empowered teacher focuses on their beliefs, visions of education and seek their professional development continually. It is essential to enjoy the journey of teaching and learning to implement new tools and engage students in the classroom. Toward this, teachers must implement technology in their practice, connect and share it with their colleagues.
In 21st-century education, teaching and learning vision meets all these goals. It is well implemented in Canada, and it agrees with British Columbia Digital Framework. According to Susan Howell and Brian O’Donnell March (2017), the goal of education in the 21st century is to prepare all learners to succeed in an ever-changing, technology-driven, and globally connected world by providing the means to develop the skills, competencies, and knowledge they need to succeed today and into the future. This vision facilitates improvement in the teaching process, provides flexible and personalized learning and uses technology tools and digital resources to engage and empower students in their own learning process to achieve their success (Howell & March 2017). As a result, empowered teachers must be implementing this vision of education, continually being involved in learning new tools, implementing technology in the classroom efficiently, network with colleagues, and sharing their experiences and outcomes.
According to Godbold (2013) all teachers can empower themselfs if they decide to follow six steps:
1 Decide to be different,
2 Clearly define what they believe great teaching is,
3 Are pro-active in their personal and professional development,
4 Filter information against their beliefs,
5 Focus and devote time and attention to goals,
6 Share with their colleagues.
Empowered teachers empower their students and guide them to build their future. The students are facilitated to find their interests and improve their abilities. In the same way, school leaders should support their teachers on their better journey. Encouraging partnerships beyond the school community, promoting activities outside the school, providing resources to professional development, and establishing procedures to solve issues.
References
Empowered teachers will change the world. SEEN Magazine – SouthEast Education Network. (2013, March 30). https://www.seenmagazine.us/Articles/Article-Detail/articleid/2899/empowered-teachers-will-change-the-world.
Digital Trends and Initiatives in Education. (n.d.). https://publishers.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DigitalTrendsandInitiativesinEducation.pdf.