A high school organised a professional development week for the teachers to upskill and become 21st-century educators. The teachers were divided into two groups. The first group opined that traditional methods work better for them and they were reluctant to learn new ways to improve their teaching. While the second group was open to learning new methods of teaching and was excited to enhance their skills. Both groups had to go through the training and it was noticed that the second group was better with technology and easily adapted to the learnings from the program.

Teaching is an evolving field and teachers need technology and tools to be able to teach better in this age. No teacher can become tech-savvy in a day. But there are some common habits that every tech-savvy teacher possesses.

upEducators has trained 10,000+ teachers and made them tech-savvy and confident in using digital tools with courses like Google Certified Educators and Digital Marketing for Educators. In this blog, we discuss the most common habits shared by tech-savvy teachers as observed in hundreds of teachers by our team. So let us look at what habits make a teacher tech-savvy.

Flexible workers

Tech-savvy teachers are known for their ability to adapt and use technology in the classroom to enhance student learning and engagement. This adaptability also extends to their work habits and schedules, as they are often able to work in a flexible manner.

For example, they may use online collaboration tools to work with colleagues and students remotely, or they may use learning management systems to create and deliver digital content to students at any time.

Additionally, they may be able to use technology to create differentiated instruction, which allows them to provide personalized learning experiences for students with diverse needs. This flexibility allows tech-savvy teachers to be more efficient and effective in their roles, as they can quickly and easily adjust their teaching strategies and materials to meet the needs of their students.

Lifelong Learners

Tech-savvy teachers are known for their commitment to lifelong learning. They understand that the field of education is constantly evolving and that technology is rapidly changing the way we teach and learn. In order to stay current and effective in their roles, tech-savvy teachers are always seeking new knowledge and skills to improve their teaching practice. This can include attending professional development workshops, participating in online communities, and reading research and articles on education and technology.

Additionally, they may seek out new technologies and tools to use in their classrooms, experimenting with different methods and techniques to see what works best for their students.

They also engage in reflective practice, evaluating their own teaching practice and seeking feedback from their students, colleagues and peers. This continuous learning process helps them to stay current in the field, adapt to new technologies and tools, enhance their teaching methodologies, and become more effective educators. Furthermore, their lifelong learning habit also helps them inspire and lead their students to become lifelong learners.

Embrace Changes for Growth

Tech-savvy teachers are known for their willingness to embrace change and try new things in their teaching practice. They understand that technology is constantly evolving and that new tools and methods are becoming available all the time.

Rather than shying away from change, they actively seek new technologies and tools to use in their classrooms, experimenting with different methods and techniques to see what works best for their students. They are not afraid of taking risks and trying new things, even if they may not always be successful.

This mindset allows them to continuously improve their teaching practice and find new ways to engage and inspire their students. Additionally, they are open to new ideas and perspectives from other educators and are always looking for opportunities to collaborate and share their own knowledge and experience

Collaborators

Tech-savvy teachers are known for their ability to collaborate effectively with others. They understand that teaching is a collaborative endeavour and that by working together with colleagues and students, they can achieve better outcomes. They use technology to facilitate collaboration, such as online collaboration tools, learning management systems, and virtual classrooms, which allows them to work with others remotely, or to create and share digital content with students.

 They also actively seek out opportunities to collaborate with other educators, such as joining professional learning communities or participating in online forums and discussion groups. They value the input and ideas of their colleagues and students, and they encourage and facilitate collaboration among their students.

Know how to communicate digitally

Tech-savvy teachers are skilled in communicating digitally, using technology to communicate with students, colleagues, and parents. They understand the importance of clear and effective communication in the classroom and are able to use various digital tools and platforms to achieve this.

They might use email, instant messaging, or video conferencing to communicate with students and parents, or they might use social media or discussion boards to facilitate communication among students. They are also able to use technology to create and distribute digital resources and materials, such as videos, podcasts, or interactive presentations, which can be used to enhance instruction and engage students.

Believe in professional development

Tech-savvy teachers understand the importance of continuous professional development in order to stay current and effective in their roles. They believe that in order to provide the best education for their students, they must be constantly learning and growing as educators.

They actively seek out opportunities for professional development, such as attending workshops and conferences, participating in online communities and professional learning networks, and reading research and articles on education and technology. They also understand the importance of staying current with the latest technology and tools and will make an effort to learn new skills and techniques in order to improve their teaching practice.

Good at planning and organising

Tech-savvy teachers are known for their ability to plan and organize effectively. They use technology to create and manage lesson plans, schedules, and assessments, which allows them to stay organised and on top of their work.

They may use tools such as learning management systems, digital calendars, or project management software to plan and organize their teaching tasks. Tech-savvy teachers are known for their ability to plan and organize effectively, using technology to create and manage resources, assessments, and schedules, and to provide personalized instruction and support for their students

Invest in useful apps and tools

Tech-savvy teachers are those who actively seek out and use technology to enhance their teaching and make learning more engaging for their students. They invest in useful apps and tools that can help them create interactive lessons, manage their classrooms, and communicate with parents and students.

These apps and tools can include things like educational games, interactive whiteboards, digital textbooks, and video conferencing software. By using these tools, teachers can create an interactive and personalized learning experience for their students, which can help to increase student engagement and motivation.

Learn from global leaders in teaching

Tech-savvy teachers are those who are open to learning from global leaders in education in order to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in teaching. They seek out professional development opportunities and resources such as online courses, webinars, and conferences that can help them to improve their skills and stay current with the latest trends in technology and education.

They also look for opportunities to collaborate with other teachers and educators around the world to share ideas and best practices. They are open to learning from global leaders in education to improve their skills and be equipped to give the best education to their students

Analyze the results of using technology

Tech-savvy teachers not only know how to use technology to enhance their teaching, but they also know how to analyze the results of using technology in the classroom. They understand that the use of technology should be grounded in evidence-based practice and that it is important to measure the impact of technology on student learning.

They use various tools and methods to evaluate the effectiveness of the technology they are using, such as student surveys, observations, and assessments. They also track and analyze data on student engagement, participation, and achievement to see if the technology is making a positive impact on learning.

By doing so, they can determine if the technology is effective and make any necessary adjustments to optimize the use of technology in their teaching. They also can share their findings with other educators and contribute to the broader understanding of how technology can be used effectively in education.

When it comes to technology and teaching, tech-savvy teachers should never be afraid to take risks. By embracing the digital world in their classrooms, they will find useful tools that can make learning more exciting for their students. Being open-minded about new technologies is key — plus, there are plenty of resources available to help teachers become surefooted with any unfamiliar device or program.