What skills will I need as a teacher in order to teach effectively in the

Digital Age?
Technology has allowed people to learn, evolve and interact over thousands of
years, and the internet has changed how people find information and how they
communicate (White, 2013a). The Australian Curriculum has information and
communication technology (ICT) as a general capability that is present in all
learning areas and requires that students learn about the different technologies,
and adapt to them as they evolve whilst being aware and minimising any risks
that may be present in the digital world (ACARA, 2015). This does not mean
simply incorporating the use of computers into current lessons, instead it is
about using information to understand and extend knowledge, communication
and experience in the digital age (Briggs, 2014).
Students need to be taught how to be fluent in technology as well as in
critical thinking, collaboration and problem solving (White, 2013b). I can do this
through open discussions on topics such as plagiarism and online safety,
teaching students how to identify credible sources of information, and sourcing
out different sources of digital information (Briggs, 2014).
I will facilitate students to search through the information available to
them in the digital age competently, safely and efficiently (Ontario Public School
Boards Association, n.d.). As a teacher, I will need to encourage students to
direct their own learning whilst introducing them to appropriate tools and various
technology (Ontario Public School Boards Association, n.d.). Students are no
longer restricted to the walls of the classroom, therefore I would need to
encourage them to be independent and reflective thinkers and promote positive
relationships online informing students about cyber bullying (Ontario Public
School Boards Association, n.d.).
Importantly, I will need to be comfortable with technology and have a
sound knowledge of digital resources so that I can teach them to students
(Collier, Burkholder & Barnum, 2013). From this knowledge, I should encourage
students to develop their own technology such as blogs, websites and record
videos to develop their digital citizenship through doing (Briggs, 2014).
This has been just a snapshot of the skills needed to teach in the digital
age. The Ontario Public School Boards Association (n.d.) reports that the skills
needed in the digital age are creativity and innovation, communication, critical
thinking and collaboration. These skills would not only relate to students but also
to teachers. I could use technology in communication with parents to keep them
updated on their childs progress through emails or secure online blogs. I will
need to learn and master these skills before I can teach them effectively to my
students.

References
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. (2015). Information
and communication technology (ICT) capability. Retrieved from
http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/generalcapabilities/informationand-communication-technology-capability/introduction/introduction
Briggs, S. (2014). 20 things educators need to know about digital literacy skills.
Retrieved from http://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/features/digitalliteracy-skills/
Collier, D., Burkholder, K. & Barnum, T. (2013). Digital learning: Meeting the
challenges and embracing the opportunities for teachers. Retrieved from
https://www.ced.org/pdf/Digital_Learning_Issue_Brief_Final.pdf
Ontario Public School boards association. (n.d.). A vision for learning and
teaching in the digital age. Retrieved from
http://www.opsba.org/files/OPSBA_AVisionForLearning.pdf
White, G. K. (2013a). Digital fluency for the digital age. Retrieved from
http://rd.acer.edu.au/article/digital-fluency-for-the-digital-age
White, G. K. (2013b). Digital fluency: skills necessary for learning in the digital
age. Retrieved from http://research.acer.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=1006&context=digital_learning