Utilizing 19th-Century Practices in a 21st-Century Environment

Terri Webb, Instructional Technology Manager III, DeKalb County School District

Terri Webb, Instructional Technology Manager III, DeKalb County School District

Through this article, Terri Webb, Instructional Technology Manager III, explores the urgent need for education systems to adapt, moving beyond outdated 19th-century methods to embrace hybrid models that integrate technology, empower Generation Z educators, and better serve today's digital native students effectively.

We say that education is the key to our future, but what if the educational system does not align with the current landscape and needs of the students we serve? Veteran teachers are accustomed to following the traditional practices of starting the school year with stated, linear instructional objectives that culminate with year-end standardized summative assessment of student learning.

In an era of readily available information, teachers today are standing at an intersection of utilizing 19th-century practices such as direct instruction, lecturing, rote memorization, textbooks, standardized testing and formal disciplinary tactics that are not aligned with the current behavioral trends prevailing with our digital natives. Although these best practices are essential components of the educational process, modern educators often want to do more to blend these traditional approaches with a more student-centered and technology-integrated method to cater to the diverse learning styles and demands of 21stcentury digital natives.

The average new teacher is between the ages of 22 and 24. They are considered Generation Z digital natives. They have tackled the ability to use innovative technology to get through college and create and share digital tools and resources to engage their peers in ensuring that they understand the information needed to succeed in their personal and professional lives.

“First, we must strengthen our educator pipeline by diversifying the field, supporting teachers’ professional growth, and respecting the teaching profession for what it is: the foundation for all other opportunities”

These Gen Z educators have learned how to transform everything that the 19thcentury curriculum requires in less time than it takes a teacher to create a dynamic lesson plan. Because of this, schools are losing new-age educators at an alarming demand. The antiquated system requires teachers to shuffle through spreadsheets to analyze data, create flexible groups, and create pages of lesson plans, all while bridging the digital divide.

The educational need has shifted, and we must shift our product. Teachers are seeing the trending deficits or creative gifts that technology, arts, and sciences have exposed the current Gen X and Alpha generations to. Ultimately, the challenge lies in creating a hybrid educational model that thoughtfully weaves in elements of 19th-century practices, such as character development and civic responsibility, with 21st-century practices, such as student-centered learning, creativity, and critical thinking, with the student being empowered to have a voice and choice in their career path, offers the opportunity for the student to re-appreciate the role of education and how it aligns to harmoniously engaging our student body.

According to the U.S. Department of Education's 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, school systems must prioritize two focuses to transform the 19th-century environment into a modern-day approach for our students.

First, we must strengthen our educator pipeline by diversifying the field, supporting teachers’ professional growth, and respecting the teaching profession for what it is: the foundation for all other opportunities. Next, we must promote equitable opportunities for our students to practice ethically using their digital knowledge and skills to become productive citizens in this global society. This can be done by allowing our modern teachers to have input in the educational process and decision-making based on what they encounter daily with the students. By empowering educators with the autonomy to implement teaching strategies to engage and support the mindset of Generation Z and Generation Alpha students, they are significantly shaping the future of their learning and development.

Educators who foster adaptability by encouraging resilience bridge the gap between traditional methods and innovative practices, uniting students, veteran teachers, and modern educators in a dynamic learning community. This collaborative approach paves the way for positive instructional outcomes by honoring proven methods while embracing strategies that meet the evolving needs of all learners.