Below are 15 characteristics of a 21st-century teacher:

1. Learner-Centered Classroom and Personalized Instructions

As students have access to any information possible, there certainly is no need to "spoon-feed" the
knowledge or teach "one-size fits all" content. As students have different personalities, goals, and needs,
offering personalized instructions is not just possible but also desirable. When students are allowed to
make their own choices, they own their learning, increase intrinsic motivation, and put in more effort -- an
ideal recipe for better learning outcomes!

2. Students as Producers

Today's students have the latest and greatest tools, yet, the usage in many cases barely goes beyond
communicating with family and friends via chat, text, or calls. Even though students are now viewed as
digital natives, many are far from producing any digital content. While they do own expensive devices with
capabilities to produce blogs, infographics, books, how-to videos, and tutorials, just to name a few, in
many classes, they are still asked to turn those devices off and work with handouts and worksheets.
Sadly, often times these papers are simply thrown away once graded. Many students don't even want to
do them, let alone keep or return them later. When given a chance, students can produce beautiful and
creative blogs, movies, or digital stories that they feel proud of and share with others.

3. Learn New Technologies

In order to be able to offer students choices, having one's own hands-on experience and expertise will be
useful. Since technology keeps developing, learning a tool once and for all is not a option. The good news
is that new technologies are new for the novice and and experienced teachers alike, so everyone can
jump in at any time! I used a short-term subscription to www.lynda.com, which has many resources for
learning new technologies.

4. Go Global

Today's tools make it possible to learn about other countries and people first hand. Of course, textbooks
are still sufficient, yet, there is nothing like learning languages, cultures, and communication skills from
actually talking to people from other parts of the world.

It's a shame that with all the tools available, we still learn about other cultures, people, and events from
the media. Teaching students how to use the tools in their hands to "visit" any corner of this planet will
hopefully make us more knowledgable and sympathetic.

5. Be Smart and Use Smart Phones

Once again -- when students are encouraged to view their devices as valuable tools that support
knowledge (rather than distractions), they start using them as such. I remember my first years of teaching
when I would not allow cell phones in class and I'd try to explain every new vocabulary word or answer
any question myself -- something I would not even think of doing today!

I have learned that different students have different needs when it comes to help with new vocabulary or
questions; therefore, there is no need to waste time and explain something that perhaps only one or two
students would benefit from. Instead, teaching students to be independent and know how to find answers
they need makes the class a different environment!

I have seen positive changes ever since I started viewing students' devices as useful aid. In fact,
sometimes I even respond by saying "I don't know -- use Google and tell us all!" What a difference in their
reactions and outcomes!

6. Blog

I have written on the importance of both student and teacher blogging. Even my beginners of English
could see the value of writing for real audience and establishing their digital presence. To blog or not to
blog should not be a question any more!

7. Go Digital

Another important attribute is to go paperless -- organizing teaching resources and activities on one's own
website and integrating technology bring students learning experience to a different level. Sharing links
and offering digital discussions as opposed to a constant paper flow allows students to access and share
class resources in a more organized fashion.

8. Collaborate

Technology allows collaboration between teachers & students. Creating digital resources, presentations,
and projects together with other educators and students will make classroom activities resemble the real
world. Collaboration should go beyond sharing documents via e-mail or creating PowerPoint
presentations. Many great ideas never go beyond a conversation or paper copy, which is a great loss!
Collaboration globally can change our entire experience!

9. Use Twitter Chat

Participating in Twitter chat is the cheapest and most efficient way to organize one's own PD, share
research and ideas, and stay current with issues and updates in the field. We can grow professionally and
expand our knowledge as there is a great conversation happening every day, and going to conferences is
no longer the only way to meet others and build professional learning networks.

10. Connect

Connect with like-minded individuals. Again, today's tools allow us to connect anyone, anywhere,
anytime. Have a question for an expert or colleague? Simply connect via social media: follow, join, ask, or
tell!

11. Project-Based Learning

As today's students have an access to authentic resources on the web, experts anywhere in the world,
and peers learning the same subject somewhere else, teaching with textbooks is very "20th-century"
(when the previously listed option were not available). Today's students should develop their own driving
questions, conduct their research, contact experts, and create final projects to share all using devices
already in their hands. All they need from their teacher is guidance!

12. Build Your Positive Digital Footprint

13. Code

While this one might sound complicated, coding is nothing but today's literacy. As a pencil or pen were
"the tools" of the 20th-century, making it impossible to picture a teacher not capable to operate with it,
today's teacher must be able to operate with today's pen and pencil, i.e., computers. Coding is very
interesting to learn -- the feeling of writing a page with HTML is amazing! Even though I have ways to go,
just like in every other field, a step at a time can take go a long way. Again, lynda.com is a great resource
to start with!

14. Innovate

I invite you to expand your teaching toolbox and try new ways you have not tried before, such as teaching
with social media or replacing textbooks with web resources. Not for the sake of tools but for the sake of
students!

Ever since I started using TED talks and my own activities based on those videos, my students have been
giving a very different feedback. They love it! They love using Facebook for class discussions and
announcements. They appreciate novelty -- not the new tools, but the new, more productive and
interesting ways of using them.

15. Keep Learning

As new ways and new technology keep emerging, learning and adapting is essential. The good news is:
it's fun, and even 20 min a day will take you a long way!

As always, please share your vision in the comment area! Happy 21st-century teaching!

Traditional methods of teaching that are still being adhered to in the schools:

Teacher-centric classrooms

Teachers in the mode of knowledge dispensers rather than facilitators

Chalk and talk methods

Regimented classrooms

Lack of collaboration and group learning

More emphasis on examinations and results rather than understanding of concepts

Modern methods in use in education

Technology-driven classrooms

Continuous comprehensive evaluation

Cross-curricular connections

Inquiry-based learning

Emphasis on understanding of concepts

Linking curriculum with life

Emphasis on skill building, life skills and values

Smart interactive boards

BYOD Bring your own device

Collaborative learning

Differential learning

Activity-based learning and learning labs

Interdisciplinary learning

Integrative and social responsibility and civic engagement

Digitisation in teaching, learning assessment and feedback

Collaborative learning

Differentiated instruction

Flipped classroom

Problem-based learning

When I become a teacher I want to :

Prevent change

Be the sage on the stage

Teach to the test

Be able to chew gum all day and tell my students they can't

Retire next year and it just doesn't matter anymore

Sit in the teacher loung and complain

Teach one year 25 times

I want a computer just to report grades

Keep my mouth shut and wait to become an administrator

Cover rather than uncover material and use chalk

Quit learning

When I become a teacher I want to :

Collaborative work will be just as important as individual work

PBL ( project based learning) won't just be an acronym

Edit, remix, and share media with my students

Learn from my students

Expect change

Create my own personal learning network

Add students on my space in Facebook ( humm i personally don't agree with this)

Encourage appropriate online interaction

I won't fear technology , I ll embrace it

Create positive learning environments