In this week's post, the Academic and Quality Director of Bureau Veritas Centro Universitario , Ruth Ballesteros, talks to us about the five key skills that teachers must currently develop, within the framework of our Official University Master's Degree in eLearning and Educational Technology .
I consider it very important and necessary today that teachers are continuously trained in both skills and competencies that facilitate the active learning of their students . In recent years, the fact that this training is positively valued by the Teacher Quality Accreditation Agencies, both at a national level, ANECA, and at a regional level, has had a strong impact on the teaching environment.
Among the basic skills that I recommend to all teachers are the following:
Knowing how to plan, organize and redistribute the activities that comprise their training in an open way, allowing for the inclusion of new knowledge or activities in a flexible way depending on world events . For example, being able to leave a free space to comment on the results of new scientific research relevant to the area, the results of viber data theses directed in the department, global launches of new software, etc.
Participate in the management of the department . Every teacher, as a participant in the Internal Quality Management System of the University Center, must carry out a process of constant improvement. To do so, he or she must be receptive to the information that can be provided by both students and colleagues, as well as knowing the appropriate channels so that the organization can effectively implement these improvements.
Getting to know the community and the academic environment, taking into account diversity . In order to achieve a direct relationship and involvement in learning on the part of the students, an effort must be made to take into account not only the students' initial knowledge, but also their origin in order to achieve a cohesive and motivated group. In the case of students of diverse nationalities, practical examples from their countries, corresponding legislation, commenting on a publication by a scientist from their nation, etc.
Skillfully master communication in different languages . A pending skill that the Spanish teacher has not yet developed efficiently is the ability to disseminate knowledge in different languages in a way that does not require so much effort and reluctance on the part of the Academic Staff. To do this, the teacher should be open to doing stays in other centers, which would improve not only the language but also the self-esteem of the Spanish teacher, since he is highly valued internationally by the scientific community.
Every teacher must be committed to becoming an expert in new technologies that continually motivate and surprise students . Technologies must be considered as a support complement or tool for the teacher that must be used appropriately and proportionately, since it can cause delays or loss of time in the classroom. If the teacher does not have the necessary skills in the technologies used, this can lead to a decrease in the achievement of the objectives set in the subject. Therefore, it is recommended that the introduction of new technologies should occur after confirmation that the teacher has acquired the appropriate competence.