An Emerging Nurse Educator in the 21st Century Age of Technology

As an academic guide, or facilitator, I intend to help guide my students towards obtaining the knowledge and skills required to meet the curriculum objectives set forth. Academic evidence demonstrates it is no longer feasible to teach as one was taught. I am just now learning how accountable an educator is to the published curriculum. As an educator, there is a responsibility to each learner to optimize the learning environment, and to promote active learning experiences. It is important to recognize that learning is enhanced by social interaction. 

Who is providing the education?

The 21st century educator needs to embrace the technology that promotes and supports learning. Not only providing an improved student centered pedagogy, but increasing the capacity of nursing education by educating more learners with fewer resources. On-line learning, sometimes referred to distance-learning, using a virtual learning environment, provides a technological opportunity that promotes active, student-centered learning while integrating technology. Technology such as wikis, blogs, Web 2.0 tools, smart boards, high-fidelity simulation, and Learning Management Systems (LMSs) are examples of just some of the technology tools available to the 21st century educator.

There are many online resources available to the 21st century educator to facilitate the 

advancement of a technology supported curriculum. Many professional nursing societies, 

such as the ANA, an the NLN's Simulation Innovation Resource Center (SIRC) offer 

technology support for  the 21st century educator.   Recognizing the explosion of academic 

technology, Institutions and individual educators are also offering technology tips, hints, and 

even simulation scenarios. To best facilitate a technologically supported curriculum, the 

21st century educator needs to continually assess their own technological skills, and 

implement a plan to address any deficits. 

“We are called to create a new paradigm for nursing education that merges Nightingale's vision with technology's promise.” Diener& Hobbs, 2012