Educators have always had a challenging job but teachers in 2018 face more unique challenges than ever before when trying to connect with their students. With so many different distractions that take attention away from academics, simply keeping students focused and motivated to succeed in a school setting can be difficult. Any parent with students in school and all prospective educators who would like to instruct their own classrooms need to be aware of the modern-day challenges that each teacher faces in 2018.
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Being Student-Centered Instead of Curriculum-Centered
In the past, school was very much about the curriculum. There was a lesson plan and educators stuck to the lesson plan regardless of how many students were in the classroom. With more and more research being conducted on the topic, it’s been proven that many children don’t always learn best with the same type of instruction. Some may prefer lectures while others prefer pictures or hands-on experience.
Since it is now widely accepted that kids all have their own learning styles, it has become a challenge for today’s teachers to take a more student-centered approach to learning. With a student-centered focus, educators have to learn how to balance the different learning needs of each of their students. In academics, this is a method of teaching is called differentiation, where all five learning styles are used in one single lesson to keep kids engaged.
Managing Curriculum and Technology Issues
Technology has changed all aspects of life directly and indirectly. Unfortunately, as beneficial as it is to have technology in the classroom, it can hinder learning as well. Educators are given the curriculum that must be covered to meet curriculum reform requirements and common core standards. At the same time, schools are constantly investing in new learning programs to look for a way to tap into technology while still covering the common core curriculum. Teachers must find new ways to incorporate technological products into their teaching style and their day to day lessons. These new tools mean that teaching styles need to be adapted and transitioning between technology and traditional teaching styles can be challenging when the technology doesn’t work as it should.
The Use of Technology at Home
It has always been difficult for educators to handle bad behavior. There will always be students who are oppositional and defiant, but technology in the home has created new and much more widespread issues. While having computers in the home is encouraged, the time spent in front of a screen has dramatically risen over the years. In fact, CNN reports that teens spend an astonishing nine hours of their day using some type of digital media.
Checking social media, listening to music, playing games, watching videos, and chatting with friends can lead to a huge amount of media consumption. Unfortunately, since the United States is becoming a 24/7 media technology hub, media is becoming dominant over more important things in life, creating issues at school. It has reduced kids’ attention spans and affects kids ability to process information, making them less interested in their education.
Being a teacher is not easy. There are new issues that must be faced daily, especially as technology and media become a priority for students. Consider these challenges whenever you are thinking of going to school to earn a teaching degree.
