“Teachers are not just teachers anymore”
Rowena F. Calma Many might ask what it means to be a teacher amidst the pandemic. As people know, the role of a teacher is to shape the minds of the learners. They must be well trained in the use of proper content and pedagogy in educating as the students’learning is placed in their care. But because of the pandemic, schools, curriculum, teachers, and learners are experiencing hardships in transitioning from the traditional way of education to the now, “distance learning.” So, when it comes to the curriculum and delivery of learning, there are a lot of new things as well. Because of this, there are new roles that teachers need to hold to develop professionally and to effectively teach despite the changes that the pandemic has brought.
First of which is how the teacher now becomes a “digital specialist.” E-learning opens up access to someone with a wealth of knowledge, information and if delivered correctly can make the process of teaching and learning more enjoyable. Similar to the traditional learning design, teachers should always stick with learning objectives in conducting e-learning classes; Most importantly, if it is blended with face-toface classroom sessions. A competent teacher should be knowledgeable of the learning objectives of his/ her subject expertise, digitally competent as well, and design learning activities aligned to it. But also the teachers should be digitally competent. And as much as possible, they should be more competent than the students. Technology is an inherent component of adaptive learning set-up. As much as it requires learners to techno-savvy, the teachers should be digitally competent as well. And as much as possible, they should be more competent than the students. As they’ve said, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Teachers can only maximize the digital competencies of the learners if they are digitally competent as well. Aside from the ability of the teacher to maneuver digital tools, teachers should also know how to solve technical problems that might hinder learning.
Next is how the teacher has a now harder task as a content coach. Now, aside from instructing lessons, teachers should also provide meaningful and constructive feedbacks that learners can use in progressing their academic competencies and developing self-management. Lastly, the teacher has now a harder task of being an innovator of change. Online platforms nowadays serve as a leisure activity for the students and it might cause them burnout if they need to be formal 24/ 7. Teachers should monitor and limit the engagement time of the students talking about school requirements so they can practice life balance and avoid burnout. Establish a sense of community among the learners so they can feel their presence without physically interacting with one another.
The system of education is really now facing a different setting. This pandemic has forced the need for a more complex innovation into the heart of every education system. Teachers should have a better focus on modifying the new way of teaching in hopes of providing the necessary skills to the learners to create a better future for them. Indeed, teachers are not just teachers anymore. Because of the pandemic, they now have a harder task in making the students learn not only book knowledge but skills that will make them be able to face heavier tasks in the future.
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Teacher III at Sabanilla Elementary School