My working pedagogy 3.0.

I have really been stretched this semester to rethink the objectives of the English language arts field and even just my teaching pedagogy in general.

I really think that the English language arts field is at a crossroads. Should we still be basing our curriculum around literature if 97% of students are not going on to pursue degrees in English/literature? I still believe literature has a place in the classroom, but might it be more important to teach students skills that are applicable to their lives, that will better help become life-long learners? This younger generation communicates, learns, and thinks fundamentally different than previous generations. Students today need a new set of skills to be successful in the twenty-first century.

The starting point for a redirection of the field is technology. I don’t believe that computers are a panacea for all of our educational woes; however, technology provides many great learning opportunities that most schools and educators are wasting. Too often technology is feared or thoughtlessly discarded, creating a barrier between students and teachers. One essential key is that teachers need more professional development regarding new technologies. More intra and interdisciplinary collaboration should also be taking place.

A twenty-first century classroom means giving students more responsibilities and freedom, though teachers still have an essential role in guiding students, creating meaningful projects, and challenging students to think critically about the tools they are using. Teachers should realize that they need not be technology gurus and that they can learn from their students. Though students may be more familiar with new technologies, they still need to learn the skills that allow them to use these tools more effectively and prudently.

Finally, the most important conclusion that I’ve come to this semester goes beyond issues of technology, curriculum, and pedagogies. The most essential quality of good teachers is that they care about their students. Truly effective teachers are those who take an interest in their students and foster healthy relationships. I believe in the importance of encouraging, challenging, and guiding students regardless of the tools being used and the skills being taught.