Why Inno-WAIT!?!

The push for innovation in education is real now more than ever. With each passing year, the technology seems to become more accessible, and those involved in education seem to become more willing to try anything that will help meet the needs of an ever-increasing diverse group of learners. Joi Ito (2014) highlights the current state of innovation, describing a modern, fast-tracked process that allows new and innovative products to hit the market. He goes on to explain that advancements in technology have allowed designers to take charge of this process and they can do it now.

This concept is indirectly echoed by Monique Markoff (2014) as she advocates for student ownership and personalized learning through blended learning environments. Technology has allowed educators to revolutionize the classroom, specifically by developing a model where every student would “have their own teacher.”

The central idea of these two presentations is an admirable and fascinating one. Overall, I do not think that my organization is flexible enough to fully embrace Ito’s now-ist concept by taking maximum advantage of our technological capabilities and implement a school-wide blended learning model. We have placed too much value on uniformity, universal benchmarks, and department-wide purchased curriculum. There seems to be a competitive atmosphere for our mission and vision, where each sphere promotes what they think is best for learners. However, that does not mean individuals should give up nor sit idle until the authority mandates change. Much like Ito’s civilian project, I believe that a few passionate educators can influence change within the established system. I think our administration would be willing to work with us to introduce innovative practices that fit within our other mandated expectations. We do not need to wait until the district leadership, state or federal government recognizes the needed changes and calls for reform. Many individual educators at our school have the resources and the technology needed to become now-ists.

References:

TED. (2014). Want to innovate? Become a “now-ist” | Joi Ito [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsjTVGIw4z8

TEDx Talks. (2014). Click here-- blended learning and the future of education: Monique Markoff at TEDxIthacaCollege [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb2d8E1dZjY