In this tech age, traditional teaching will not suffice

Times have changed with the ever-evolving techniques in education. Traditional teaching will not suffice. Millennial children grow up in a world filled with complexities, a world that has become increasingly challenging – socially, emotionally and technologically. In today’s fast-paced and constantly changing world, the teaching community should not be left behind in the ‘race of time’.  Students’ idolising approach towards the teacher never ceases to amaze teachers.  Just like their learners, the teachers, too, learn new lessons every single day.  A teacher who is introspective, comprehensive, prolific user of technology and in tandem with the changing scenario in the field of global education, scores more than any conventional one.

At times, even teachers with innumerable educational and professional degrees fall flat as they do not update and upgrade their competencies and skills. Teaching and learning is a lifelong process that the educators and learners tread together.  Today’s teaching fraternity has to portray a ‘posse’ of roles – a facilitator, a counsellor, a friend, a parent and many more. When a teacher says that she has gained vast experience in the line of teaching, it is by virtue of her students. No teacher can undermine the influence of her students in the progress of her career graph. The punctuality, the discipline, the hard work and the never-give-up attitude of the students impacts the fraternity as well.

At a stage when information is available at the click of a button, the fraternity faces massive challenges. They are usually up against a generation who are forever on ‘Techno Savvy Mode’. It is not surprising that our students’ knowledge of technology definitely surpasses our whole community’s. Therefore, constant reinforcement, exposure to the latest technological know-how, creative and innovative teaching tools, etc., should be any teacher’s ‘best friends’.

The millennial learners expect a lot from their teachers. Therefore, a teacher cannot ever depend on the age-old method of teaching-learning. These learners are not cast by national boundaries. They are growing up in the ‘Global Village’. Along with innovative teaching methods, futuristic curricular objectives should also be framed. Needless to say, technology should form an integral part of the curriculum. The millennial pedagogy methods need to be one step ahead of the learners. 

Students look up to their teachers, emulate them and expect them to be encyclopedias. Regular refreshers courses, in-house training, attending workshops and most importantly reading, should be a part of every teacher’s ‘Planner’. A lot of expectation rides on the teachers’ shoulders. The onus to create an emotionally balanced, socially active and globally productive achiever lies not just with the parents but also with the educators. What the children need today is a compassionate look, a kind word, a patient hearing and timely encouragement. It is imperative that the millennial teachers should be a storehouse of affection, a treasure trove of information and a goldmine of positive reinforcement.