Teachers build a learning community in the classroom in which students are continuously engaged in building their own and each others’ learning skills. Indeed, schools are transformed into learning organizations in which all actors are involved in the learning process. From this perspective, teachers are themselves master learners and knowledge producers who are constantly engaged in educational experimentation and innovation in collaboration with their colleagues and outside experts to produce new knowledge about learning and teaching practice. A variety of networked devices, digital resources, and electronic environments are to create and support this community in its production of knowledge and anytime, anywhere collaborative learning.
Through the ongoing and effective use of technology in the schooling process, students have the opportunity to acquire important technology capabilities. The key individual in helping students develop those capabilities is the classroom teacher. Teachers build a learning community in the classroom in which students are continuously engaged in building their own and each others’ learning skills. Indeed, schools are transformed into learning organizations in which all actors are involved in the learning process. From this perspective, teachers are themselves master learners and knowledge producers who are constantly engaged in educational experimentation and innovation in collaboration with their colleagues and outside experts to produce new knowledge about learning and teaching practice. A variety of networked devices, digital resources, and electronic environments are to create and support this community in its production of knowledge and anytime, anywhere collaborative learning.
The teacher is responsible for establishing the classroom environment and preparing the learning opportunities that facilitate students’ use of technology to learn, and communicate. Consequently, it is critical that all classroom teachers are prepared to provide their students with these opportunities. Both professional development programs for teachers currently in the classroom and programs for preparing future teachers should provide technology-rich experiences throughout all aspects of the training.
Today’s classroom teachers need to be prepared to provide technology-supported learning opportunities for their students. Being prepared to use technology and knowing how that technology can support student learning have become integral skills in every teacher’s professional repertoire. Teachers need to be prepared to empower students with the advantages technology can bring. Schools and classrooms, both real and virtual, must have teachers who are equipped with technology resources and skills and who can effectively teach the necessary subject matter content while incorporating technology concepts and skills. Interactive computer simulations, digital and open educational resources, and sophisticated data-gathering and analysis tools are only a few of the resources that enable teachers to provide previously unimaginable opportunities for conceptual understanding. Traditional educational practices no longer provide prospective teachers with all the necessary skills for teaching students to survive economically in today’s workplace.
