The more that I read on school change and school improvement, the more I see the focus being put on School Administration to be the catalyst for change. School Principals are expected to create climates of innovation and creativity, provide supports for teachers, hold teachers accountable and the list goes on. As a School Principal, I agree. Schools need to be environments of innovation and much of that has to do with the Principal but let’s bring it down to what really matters – the learners.
The Big Question – What are you, as a teacher, doing to ensure that your classroom is a innovative space?
Here’s 7 things for you to think about as you examine your own classrooms.
1. Embrace the Challenge – Be creative in your own space – show the kids it’s alright to step outside of the box and even to make an error. Errors are the catalyst to innovation!
2. Drive Change through collective creativity and knowledge – Create groupings where students are encouraged to combine their thinking to find answers and ask questions.
3. Shape the Culture – YOU need to ask questions you don’t have the answer to. Students need to see you struggle with your thinking and be creative and thoughtful. They need to see that the answer isn’t always clear and that there isn’t one right way to get to an answer or, for that matter, even one right answer.
4. Establish supportive networks of learners – As teachers we call these PLCs but why not allow your students to work in much the same way at times. Have them work together to find ways to solve collective problems, grow with each other and reflect on their learning. We know it’s good practice – make it their practice.
5. Ask important Questions – Make the learning real to them. Allow them the opportunity to solve real world problems creatively. They can be as small as how to resolve bathroom breaks or as big as deciding on what Social Justice project most requires your classes attention.
6. Ensure access to the tools they need – harder to do but beg borrow and steal if you have to. What technology or simple supplies will help them get to where they need to be.
7. Demand Accountability – Last but not least! Students need to know that what they are working on matters and they are held accountable for what they do. Nothing says “waste of time” to a student more than a group assignment that they never share with a class. Everything doesn’t need to be formally assessed but it does need to be shared.
We all want the best for the learners in our charge, I have no doubt about that. But let’s remember to relinquish a bit of the control and allow students to be collaborative and creative. Allow them to be what they need to be in our society – Innovative.
Keep on learning!
Dave
Be First to Comment