100140605

Karina Wilkinson Teaching in the Digital Age

Teaching and learning within the digital age requires teachers to

adapt different skills and techniques to successfully use and manage
digital technology within the primary classroom. As a pre-service teacher
it is imperative to develop the skills to effectively teach within the digital
age. Having a thorough understanding of digital technology and how it
can be utilised within the learning environment assists and effectively
facilitates students learning.
In order for me to effectively teach within the Digital Age there are
four key skills that are essential in ensuring success within the classroom.
These four skills include the ability to think critically, communicate,
collaborate, and provide creativity and innovation. Successfully
developing these skills, will allow me to effectively teach students how to
use these skills to reflect and deepen their understanding of the learning
material.
As a pre-service teacher the ability to engage in reflective and
independent thinking, provides me with the skills that can be used within
the classroom to ensure the learning materials are appropriate, directed
and the intentions are clear (Lau & Chan, 2015).
Communicating is a vital aspect when in the classroom, developing
effective communication skills is essential for any teacher, where
interaction between peers, students and parents are all essential
components of being a teacher (Clarke, & Pittaway, 2014). Developing
effective communication skills in and out of the classroom will provide me
with the confidence to teach effectively.

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Karina Wilkinson Teaching in the Digital Age

A skill that is widely being used within learning environment and

amongst colleagues is collaboration. Collaboration allows teachers and
students to develop and deepen their understanding of the learning
material. The SAMR model supports collaboration within the classroom
where technology can be utilised and students can explore the
possibilities of working within groups to edit, provide feedback, comment
and produce a final piece of work (Department of Education & Training,
2014). Having an understanding of Collaboration provides me with the
skills that I can use in the classroom to teach students the benefit of using
collaboration techniques.
The final skill that is important that I will need to utilise in order to
effectively teach within the digital age is creativity and innovation.
Incorporating this skill into the classroom is seen to be about creating a
structure for students that allows students to develop the skills,
knowledge and understanding that they can use later in life
(EdTechReview, 2015).
Critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity and
innovation are four main skills that I will need as a teacher to effectively
teach in the digital age. Using these skills within the classroom will
provide me with the knowledge, techniques and strategies to effectively
facilitate students learning in the 21st century. It is important to utilise
these skills within the classroom, particular to ensure students are well
engaged in the learning material. According to Starkey (2012) effectively
designed lessons, consistent monitoring of student learning and the ability
to make teaching decisions based around students progress are all key

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Karina Wilkinson Teaching in the Digital Age

skills that can be used to ensure students are engaged throughout their
learning.

References:
Clarke, M., & Pittaway, S. (2014). Marshs becoming a teacher (6th ed).
Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson.
Department of Education and Training. (2014). Teaching with Digital
Technologies. Retrieved from
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/support/Pages/elea
rningcurriculum.aspx
EdTechReview. (2015). How do you teach the 4Cs to students (Part 1)
Creativity and Innovation. Retrieved from
http://edtechreview.in/trends-insights/insights/914-how-do-youteach-the-4cs-to-students-part-1-creativity-and-innovation
Lau, J., & Chan, J. (2015). What is critical thinking? Retrieved from
http://philosophy.hku.hk/think/critical/ct.php
Starkey, L. (2012). Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age. New York, NY:
Routledge