Education is a key to unlock the
development of human being. It develops human thoughts, morals and ideas
and expands them up to the entire world. It helps to hand over the ideas to the
coming generations as well. In this process of transformation, teacher and
students are the most significant parts. It is said that students get shape as
their teacher mold them. In fact, it is doubtful to say so in the 21st century
where technology and self learning are at the pick yet the role of a teacher is
not less than that of a mason who arranges the bricks in such a way that the
building can stand for long against any odds.
It is said that Time is a great
transformer. If it can change the stream of a river then who are we to pause it
for our own and traditional beliefs. One must walk with the time else the Time
can run over anybody. So, in this fast forwarding time of 21st century what is
the role of a teacher is a point to ponder. Once upon a time we had Gurus in
the Ashrams who used to shape their disciples by living with them. Then, the time
gave us Cultivators who cultivated students by staying with them. Both of them
shared their life lessons and lived what they preached. Later, Teachers tended
to teach using some content in a building. It was their personal choice whether
to live their teaching or not. Teacher is not a far behind concept. It is still
in a fashion in the 21st century. Looking at the 21st century skills and requirements,
it is a question whether only 'Teaching' can work or not. The era where
students are techno savvy and smart like gadgets, a teacher has to rethink his
ideas and method of dealing with students. The modern era invites Teacher to be
a good 'Facilitator' who can facilitate the learning for their students. The
facilitator has to create learning environment in which the learner can feel
his requirements and interest. In being a Facilitator, the teacher has to
update himself to update others. Technology is the most helpful weapon for
teachers to be a Facilitator. H/she can arrange ideas using different programs,
apps or web-tools which creates interactive and live atmosphere for learning.
After all, Time has transformed everything outside the classroom so the teacher
has to change everything inside including his thoughts and attitudes.
Being a
facilitator, one has to be well prepared and updated in front of the new
generation. The biggest responsibility is to provide a learningful atmosphere
in which student can acquire any skill. A facilitator cannot be merely a transmitter
of information. One has to focus on value education and development of skills
among the students. The techno friendly generation has to be taught the usage
of technology for survival, not for disturbance and destructions. A
teacher as a facilitator has to facilitate the learning platform on which
a student can think, reason, communicate, observe, analyze and apply ideas for being
a good citizen. It is the biggest service to the society. So lets be a
facilitator than a teacher because 21st century generation doesn’t need
‘teaching’. They just need a gentle push towards learning opportunities. Once
they get, they will grab the rest of things.