I have thought about what to write for many days, weeks in fact! Innovation in the classroom is an interesting “beast” one moment the beast shines and purrs with clarity only to turn cloudy and hiss with the passing of a breath. What specifically does innovation mean? When we look up a definition of innovation, the dictionary tells us that it means to make changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas, or products. Can we as teachers simply put some iPad or computers out on the student’s tables; direct them to a specific website or app and say that we are being innovative? Can simply infusing technology into our classroom while still using the same foundational framework be deemed innovative, it cannot.

The fundamental idea George Couros has postulated is not really all that ground breaking if thought about in a global sphere. It is however, advanced when it comes to using new thoughts/approaches within the constricted hallways of the education system. We function within a fairly narrow window of what is considered appropriate and not appropriate for student consumption…this “appropriateness” has been established over decades of knee jerk decrees from those charged with the governance of our education system.  It has been refreshing to see that the window has recently opened somewhat with the lifting of many previously banned internet sites. This will undoubtedly pave the way for a younger generation, through rigorous guidance and educating, to harness the full power and immense knowledge contained within it.

Our primary task as educators moving forward is to not continue to distribute iPads or computers and direct our students to websites we have “pre-approved”. Rather, our ultimate task, if we are to truly embrace the concept of becoming innovative educators, is to empower our students to craft questions that interest them specifically and give them the franchise to answer those questions. We must teach our students how to properly execute google searches, how to properly post on social media, not for their own attention or to sensationalize a topic, but to glean the collective wisdom of the masses to further their own knowledge base.

Bringing innovative philosophies to our classroom cannot happen overnight, it cannot be the flavour of the week that is supported today but then abandoned when the next interesting idea comes along. Many tenured teachers are from a generation of dot matrix printers and pong. What is needed is a paradigm shift and change management support moving forward for innovative teaching philosophies to take root. Without the concept being widely embraced from kindergarten up, success will not be realized. Fear of children stumbling upon “inappropriate” material must be seen as a teachable moment, not as fodder for those who think the internet is tantamount to the wild west.

Scott Chudley

Ralph Brown School

Cluster 1971

I don’t know about the rest of you, but this is the first time I have ever written something that other educators will read. This makes me nervous and thankful that Dove makes an anti-perspirant with a “Clinical” tag. Writing is not my forte. It doesn’t come naturally for me. Sports, technology, eating cinnamon buns…those are easy.

I am a worrier. I write and re-write and spend a lot of time worrying that if I don’t use smart words, or say insightful things, that people will think I don’t know anything. Why I do that? No idea. If I could stop it, I would. To have an assignment like this that puts me out of my comfort zone, makes me very uncomfortable.

Incorporating technology and innovation into my classroom is something that I love to do. My passion is searching out and learning new ways to get my students engaged and excited to learn. I spend my weekends learning how to code, going through online courses, watching and trying to plan ways to integrate what I have learned into my practice. I joined Twitter, and began co-managing a team for Destination Imagination at my school. This experience has shown me the true potential of my students. I have brought the “Instant Challenge” component of DI into the classroom and the students continuously crave more. I can honestly say I have bought twice as many straws this school year as I have in my entire life.

Our class has pen pals from Rankin Inlet, and we are currently setting up a Skype connection with a classroom from Kansas. These can be seen as innovation. What I have never had the courage to do is write something for my peers. I ask my students to take risks all the time, yet here I am, sweat dripping on my laptop, because I am doing exactly what I ask and expect them to do on an everyday basis.

A good friend and mentor of mine started her own blog this year. She has encouraged me to think about doing the same. I don’t think that will happen…well at least not this year.  William GT Shedd wrote, “A ship is safe in harbour, but that’s not what a ship is for.” This quote first off, makes me think of my home in the east coast (Shout out to my fellow Nova Scotians). Then it makes me think there is no sense of being innovative in your own classroom if no one can see it. I feel honoured to be part of this learning experience and I look forward to collaborating with everyone to see where it will take me.

Marcel Laroche

Ralph Brown School

1971 Proud