ITLL Blog

Innovative teaching practices within the classroom date their origins to early educational settings around the world. In Roman times teachers would teach students to write using wax covered wooden boards or ancient “wax tablets”. This was the “innovation” of teaching writing before paper production in Europe during Roman times. Hey, it was a step up from scratching with a metal stick on a broken piece of pottery. Of course, the modern tablet is a computerized device/educational tool with a multitude of apps and can often be a child’s first attempt at letter formation and writing whilst still in diapers. We have come a long way since Roman times. It is incumbent for teachers to use innovation when teaching in order to empower students. Empowered students take risks in their learning which engages the learner in critical thinking, problem solving and creativity. Ancient maps were produced by the Greeks by using clay tablets. Today when given the chance our students can use modern tablets to navigate the world. Through the use of Google maps teachers can be innovative when teaching curricular outcomes and students can learn using technological innovations. Have you ever seen the thrill on students’ faces when given a blank map of Canada and asked to get out an Atlas and label the Provinces and Territories? I didn’t think so. As identified by George Couros most of us do not use “ancient” paper maps any longer so why not be innovative in our teaching practices and introduce students to digital mapping using apps and software. Empower your students in innovative teaching and learning of today and tomorrow and leave ancient teaching practices to the Romans and Greeks.

@JBMgrade6