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Why is “innovation” so crucial in education?
In July, when I was promoted to my current position, I was asked this question in a variety of ways.
The most frequent question I am asked is about my title. I am an Innovation Specialist. What exactly does that mean? What do I actually do? As I began the process of exploring my new position, I came across The Innovator’s Mindset by George Couros. As I read, I became increasingly convinced that my job exists because of this book. I work in a forward-thinking district with a forward-thinking superintendent. Follow him on Twitter. You won’t regret it.
Early readings kept coming back to the phrase “Innovate or Die.” While it is an effective sentiment, its a little disconcerting that those are our two options. Education, for the past several years, has been seeming to function in the traditional realm of what has always been done. The world has been shifting underfoot, but the classroom has remained, for the most part, unchanged. Some would even have us believe that education is already dead. We weren’t fast enough! It’s too late!
Why is innovation crucial in education? The world is changing. Innovation is the process of creating rapid change in response to existing needs.
Look closely. Spend time in a classroom. Education is still alive, even if there is still much potential for growth. We are in the process of rethinking and redistributing and retooling what we know. I see teachers doing small things, district and statewide. One teacher gets rid of the teacher desk and suddenly there is more room in the classroom for students. Another teacher begins assessing students in his language class with video and audio submissions using the Canvas LMS. There are no more photocopied worksheets. Teachers take risks, offering students novels to read that no one in the room (including the teacher) has read before. It becomes better. It is organic, and these little shifts begin to add up. Students begin to own their learning; teachers give up power in order to provide a more powerful learning experience for students.
Innovation changes everything. By its very nature, innovation has impact. We start doing things differently than we have ever done, and things are sure to shift around us.
Every day is an experiment.
What if I introduce standards of learning to students and let them build their day?
What if I eliminate my late work policy?
What if professional development credit is no longer tied to seat time?
What if?
What if?
What if?
What if I change this one thing in my daily routine? How will it change my teaching philosophy, long term? How will it benefit students? How will it benefit classroom or school or district culture?
Back to the question at hand. What exactly does an Innovation Specialist do? I personalize learning for our teachers so they can better personalize learning for our students. Today, I added content to our ACT Prep course, I taught a teacher how to use Speedgrader, I was accepted into Apple Academy where I will learn more about our tech tools, and I made a video teaching administrators how to use Canvas. Before noon.
I’m speeding up the process of change in our district so our students and teachers will not only survive, but thrive. Join me.
