Allowing Innovative Ideas & Practices
I also attended GaETC (Georgia Educational Technology Conference) this past week, along with several of you that I saw and probably more that I didn't, and I'm wondering if you all are feeling my thoughts...such amazing ideas, but can we really DO them? I really appreciate my position and perspective as teacher-leader because it helps me see the issues from both angles, school administrators and classroom teachers. But when I'm sitting in a GaETC session hearing the research and suggestions for doing this or that or the other, for example Erin Klein's session on redesigning classrooms to make them brain-friendly and student-centered, I can't help but side and sympathize with the teachers. I would guess that 95% of the time (my own personal guess-timation) school and district administrators would not be supportive of giving teachers the high degree of autonomy that it takes to be creative and innovative in their decision-making, much less encourage them to "take risks in trying new techniques and ideas" (from Question 2.1, Openness to Improvement, on that NSRF PLC Survey). As a teacher of the gifted/talented, I have the luxury of flexibility & discretion in what and how I teach, and that is why I have great love and passion for my job. In my opinion, it's also why I have been able to be effective and excel in my teaching career. But I think every teacher should have that same luxury, or at the least be allowed the freedom to be extremely creative in their teaching practices...even to the point of painting their classroom walls, using bean bags & yoga balls in place of hard, blue chairs, making homework optional, allowing students class time to pursue their interests (Genius Hour), and so on. Of course, as someone sitting beside me in one session so eloquently stated, I do understand that, "You can't just let the staff go all loosey goosey!" But the slippery slope fallacy can be an inadvertent enemy of school improvement just as it can be an unfortunate tool for leaders to wield power and control and cling steadfastly to traditional methods and practices and ideas. So what do you all think? I'd love to hear from current administrators (APs) and classroom teachers to compare and contrast our thoughts and stances. Thanks for sharing!
Charlie,
ReplyDeleteI think that in implementing new, scary, and risky practices, it seems like the increased use of technology and student devices are add-ons, fun, and extraneous. However, if we consider the way our students learn, speak, and behave, then we MUST keep up with them and take the risks to make them both very independent and have a variety of learning modalities available for their use. Traditional = archaic, and if your teachers struggle with implementation of the use of technology, one suggestion is to have teams visit and observe. What we have come to embrace is the fact that technology is not separate, a fun thing that can waste critical instructional time, but a method to propel, and in fact rocket launch students into a more advanced level of thinking and doing. The overwhelming part is How? How do we implement such levels of technology that we aren't used to. Take it slow, do one thing at a time, and the ones (teachers) who have that knack and desire will put the work into providing meaningful learning practices where technology supports the curriculum, but never replaces. Loosey goosey in innovative practices is a great place to be!!
Charlie, I am with you! Teachers must be able to be creative and think "outside the box" to meet the needs of students in this time and age. Administrators should allow teachers to personalize their teaching and make learning more engaging and exciting. There are two suggestions that I would recommend teachers to follow in allowing this kind of freedom and flexibility in their classroom. First, safety is critical, so if there is any thing that may cause a child to be unsafe or uncomfortable, it should not be used or carried out. Lastly, teachers need to be mindful of the types of learners in their classroom. They should not make their class too stimulating or distractible for students to learn. Otherwise, administrators should allow teachers to be innovative.
ReplyDeleteHey Charlie,
ReplyDeleteI'm in a new position as the remediation math teacher and like you I have the LUXURY of tailoring the instruction to fit my students needs. I really feel I have died and gone to heaven. I do not have the pressures of a regular ed teacher making sure I've taught all of the standards. I'm able to pull in technology and be innovative to make the class interesting. Granted it's a connections class and I'm still learning and designing class. However the pressures of years past are gone. I have complete autonomy. I have witnessed innovation with one teacher who decided to "Flipp" this year. Standards are being met but instruction is so student centered. Absolutely love watching her class in action.
It's great to hear you all say and think the same! I totally agree about the safety being top priority, physical and emotional and social well-being is a must, but teachers can and should be allowed to be creative and innovative and empowered. I do believe those things are a LUXURY, like you say Nicole, whereas they should be more commonplace. Maybe that's the big difference we can make as leaders. Thanks for sharing and responding!
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