The role of the instructor has changed dramatically during the pandemic and navigating the digital world of teaching has proved to be more difficult the teaching in person (Barron, et al., 2021). As we move towards a post-Covid world our expectations of learning and instruction have changed dramatically. A forced shift to online education is a moment of change and a time to re-imagine how education can be delivered (Lockee, 2021).
The pandemic has forced many of us to become digitized very quickly (CBInsights, 2020). A successful instructor in the post-Covid world will be one that can adapt to and learn new skills as they are needed. One that can take on new challenges and move out of their comfort zone. According to the CBInsights Report from 2020, there are multiple technologies of the digital world that are changing education including Online Learning, Gamification, Artificial Intelligence, and the Smart Campus. The ability for the instructor to balance these new tools with traditional teaching will be an important aspect of the future ready teacher (Lynch, 2018).
The move to Online Learning has become part of every instructor’s toolset and the Learning Management System (LMS) is vital to that toolset. Let’s look at the adoption of the LMS and how they have become a powerful tool for instructors throughout the pandemic and will be moving forward.
Utilizing an LMS, such as Canvas, Blackboard, and D2L, instructors can provide materials, track student performance, and ease communication between with their students. They can provide video lectures, participate in discussions, and provide supplemental resources that they may not be able to make time for in class. The centralization of resources on one platform enhances the effectiveness of the instructor (CBInsights, 2020). However, learning a new LMS and all of it moving parts can be daunting and may turn off many instructors.
These challenges include, but not limited to, making the time to learn the basics, understanding how it will benefit them, and having the resources to take advantage of the tools built into the LMS. Many times, instructors can feel overwhelmed, irritated, and frustrated at when using new technologies. During times like these, we need to step back and ask for assistance (Lynch, 2018).
To be future ready, instructors must be open to learning new systems, adapting new methods, and utilizing new tools to be successful. They need to be able take advantage of new technologies coming down the pipeline and using tools that may not have been specifically designed for teaching as a teaching tool. For instance, using technology designed for internet streaming (YouTube, Twitch, etc.) in synchronous teaching sessions when using platforms such as TEAMS, Kaltura, and Zoom, to keep students engaged and participating in class (Lynch, 2018). Being able to utilize various technologies and understand the benefit to themselves as well as to the student is the most important part of being future ready.
Works Referenced
CB Insights. (2020, October 2). Covid & Post Pandemic Education: 6 ways tech could transform how we teach & learn. CB Insights Research. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://www.cbinsights.com/research/back-to-school-tech-transforming-education-learning-post-covid-19/
Lynch, M. (2018, September 24). What does the future ready teacher look like? The Edvocate. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://www.theedadvocate.org/what-does-the-future-ready-teacher-look-like/#:~:text=The%20future%20ready%20teacher%20is%20a%20teacher%20who%20is%20able,which%20the%20student%20moves%20best.
Lynch, M. (2018, September 24). Tips for teachers who are frustrated with EdTech. The Edvocate. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://www.theedadvocate.org/tips-teachers-frustrated-edtech/
Lynch, M. (2018, March 20). What does a "future ready" educator look like? The Tech Edvocate. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://www.thetechedvocate.org/future-ready-educator-look-like/
Maria, B., Cristobal, C., Alberto, M.-N., & Inaki, S. C. (2021, February 18). The changing role of teachers and technologies amidst the COVID 19 pandemic: Key findings from a cross-country study. World Bank Blogs. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://blogs.worldbank.org/education/changing-role-teachers-and-technologies-amidst-covid-19-pandemic-key-findings-cross
Lockee, B. B. (2021, January 25). Online education in the post-COVID era. Nature News. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41928-020-00534-0
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