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Education is on a constant pendulum of disruption according to Clay Christensen. As he states in his book Disrupting Class disruptive innovation theory is a process by which a new, unknown product starts at the bottom of the market, experiences a tipping point and eventually displaces established competitors.
Many of today’s schools are still teaching using traditional methods. These classrooms are preparing students for a world that will not exist when they become adults. Although these traditional methods may have worked in the past, today’s students are computer savvy and their brains are wired to receive instant information from multiple sources. I am reminded of the story Jeff told of his son and the Wii he received for Christmas. Jeff said that his son immediately opened the box and began to understand how the program worked through trial and error. He then compared his son’s willingness to try to teachers who receive Smart Board for their classrooms and will not use it until they receive training.
I like the idea Christensen presents of individualized education for every student and how a focus on embedding multiple intelligence strategies into lessons enhances learning, comprehension, and student interest. Yet in the book Christensen points out how teachers tend to teach to their own strengths. So the questions remain: How do school leaders encourage teachers to step outside their comfort zones and embrace new ways to teach students? Is it possible to individualize education to meet the unique needs of each student?
I think you are on target with the idea of using technology to embrace multiple intelligences. Such a "disruptive innovation" will meet with resistance at first, but it will help get us to the place where we teach the student and not just the class.
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ReplyDeleteOK, I am not really a digital native either. So please ignore the deleted post. I just wanted to edit something.
ReplyDeleteWhat the post said was that we need models of real alternatives to conventional education if we are going to see change. Charter schools were supposed to be this bastion of innovation, but most of them follow the same structures and traditions as conventional public schools.
I read The Innovative University, but I really think I need to get Disrupting Class after reading your post.
Good questions. I think that one of our biggest challenges as leaders is to encourage, cajole, and motivate our constituents to step outside of their comfort zones. Millennials may be more adept at this, but I am not sure. I just had a Millenial teacher candidate in my office. She is completely overwhelmed at “being outside of her comfort zone.” Undoubtedly, another one of the jobs of a leader is to help our teachers “manage” and “balance” all of the new stuff, while motivating them to forge ahead and be comfortable with always having something new around the corner. Personally, I would be bored without the “new.” I also know that I need some respite on occasion as well. The balance is tricky.
ReplyDeletehow do leaders encourage teachers to step outside the comfort zone? i think it needs to be done gradually, user-friendly, clear, and full of benefits to the end user. you have to sell the product, idea, etc.
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