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An effective teacher is the best Guide to educational excellence and in todays world, its the teacher who imparts Technical Excellence in education that turns out to be most Effective
Until recently, Textbooks were the sole resources and Teachers were the sole interpreters of knowledge to the students. Educational technology has affected these conventional roles, and has now opened up new areas of teacher functions such as management of resources and management of learning. Today, teachers have a wide range of media to assist and supplement their instructional work. Google helps in quick search results for any query you may have, Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia of information, and the list just goes on. Educational platforms such as Learning Management Systems (LMSlike Moodle) and Learning Content Management Systems (LCMS like Elucidat) are extremely important in providing effective educational solutions. Using modern technology, teachers can now specify the learning intentions, select the topic, identify the stimulus situation, determine media, manage teaching, and finally conduct evaluation and modify the instructions in the light of evaluation results. The combination of education and technology has created more stimulating learning environment and new possibilities to make the process of education more innovative and enjoyable.
ROLE OF TEACHERS IN TECHNOLOGY ORIENTED EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Technology has not only opened up new opportunities for the student, but has also gifted the teacher with intensive information gathering hubs, efficient communication methods & advanced assessment tools.
(i) Teacher Competencies in Technology-led Environment
Key objectives that need to be achieved in order to embed the use of digital technology in education require the following:
· Educators have to develop their skills and confidence in the appropriate and effective use of digital technology so that it can be skilfully deployed to support their learning.
· Access to digital technology has to be improved with appropriate digital tools and services for all learners.
· Applying digital technology to centralize an efficient e-assessment system of students, with the option to personalize it.
· Empower leaders of change (decision makers in the school) to drive innovation and investment in digital technology for learning and teaching.
(ii) Teacher-Student Relationship
Sympathetic relationship between the teacher and the taught has always been considered as the secret of effective education. Technology has dangerously weakened the student-teacher relationship. Teachers tend to ignore the significance of affective attributes and a relationship based on mutual respect. By showing respect, teachers can recognize possible barriers to learning and can seek ways to overcome those barriers.
(iii) Excellence of Character
Aristotle talked about two kinds of human excellences: Excellence of Thought and Excellence of Character. Many educators from ancient, medieval and modern times have supported the need of character building and the role of teacher in shaping that character. Technology has given us amazing access to information and ideas, thus, facilitating excellences of thought. However, the flow of information carries distortions and misrepresentations, besides socially and morally offensive material, which has created new moral challenges. There is a genuine need to guide the students to refine and isolate facts from fabrication and safely navigate them through the clutter and chaos. There is also the need to strengthen a student morally and spiritually so that they can withstand unexpected hazards brought in by technology. Value based education creates positive culture for teaching and learning that is so vital for successful education.
(iv) Teacher as a Powerful Influencer
Based on numerous studies, a set of possible influences on the achievements of students drawn by researchers, ascertain that Excellence in teaching is the single most powerful influence on achievement. Please look at this chart below:
A teacher is required to be a leader who can inspire, influence and empower students, and gets them to do things that they never thought they were capable of.