21st century learning, technology and the professional development of teachers

Abstract

There are two imperatives for transforming K-12 teaching and learning. The educational imperative. The World Economic Forum concludes that at a time of fast-paced digital change, countries need innovative places of learning that can provide the next generation with the skills of the future (Kruchoski, 2016). The technology imperative. The information technology revolution presents technology-rich innovative learning environments for improving and extending teaching and learning and the affordance of customisation of learning to individual learner needs, a concept which is highly supported by the learning sciences (Groff, 2013). The first part of this paper examines the competencies learners need for tomorrow’s world and the innovative technology-based methods of learning needed for the regeneration of education systems. The later parts of the paper focus on the teachers’ pre-service and in-service training needs in regard to information and communications technology (ICT) integration in the classroom and how ICT can be used to provide professional development for teachers and principals.