What is the future of teaching? As a science educator, I am envisioning what the future of teaching might look like.
1. Digital learning will be at its peak, including virtual reality as a platform for teaching and learning. From digital natives to digital citizens to digital learning communities, teaching and learning processes will be mostly online. Virtual schools are established. Teachers record their lessons via virtual reality technology. Artificial intelligence is integrated into the curriculum. AI tools assist both the teachers and students in achieving the required competencies.
2. Learning will be personalized and intentional. The students can freely choose subjects aligned to their chosen career or interest. Learning is intentional, and the students know the relevance of the subjects for their future profession. In addition, teachers cater to the needs of the students by designing the assessment, activities, and performances.
3. Teaching is character-forming. The curriculum integrates character formation among students, highlighting resilience, grit, and cultural values, which are important aspects of education. The curriculum integrates topics like investing and e-commerce, integrating values such as preparedness, financial literacy, and stability, among others.
4. Teaching will be global. Teachers are able to reach and teach students from different continents across the globe. The virtual classroom is inclusive regardless of color, gender, and race.
5. Lessons will be taught via gamification. Lessons will be mostly game-based in nature. Teachers will work as game designers or will be working together with game designers in developing the lessons. Moreover, assessments or examinations are not just paper and pen tests. Students are given real-life problems as assessments. The students will present a mock-up, a project, an action plan, a program, or a formula mitigating or solving the problem.
6. Teachers will become coaches or mentors. Teachers will provide counseling and mentoring sessions with the students instead of teaching concepts, which the students can easily access virtually. The students choose their mentor. the students attend to. The teacher or mentor provides consultation time, which the students attend virtually, helping them cope with their struggles, such as adapting socially and with mental health concerns.
With these in mind, I still ponder: What will be the future of teaching? I do not have the exact answer yet; I am not sure if I would be able to witness it myself. But one thing is for sure. The future of teaching is the future of the world.
Kristel P. Mendoza is the Grade 12 Level Coordinator and the Science Learning Area coordinator at the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Calamba Campus. She pursues her PHD degree in Science Education. She is currently teaching General Chemistry for SHS. Her unique concept map about the future of teaching has been chosen as one of the shortlisted submissions among 52 entries worldwide. She was one of the Panelist in Centre for Teachers Accreditation in India with the theme the Future of Teaching.
The Teachers' Guide International Magazine, January 31, 2025 (ISSN 2984-9799)