What is innovative teaching? | #LEARNing2LEARN #ProfessionalDevelopment | 21st Century Learning and Teaching | Scoop.it

This is not too a difficult question to address, because innovative teaching is good whether or not technology is used. A bad teacher does not suddenly become a good teacher just because technology is included into the mix. Nor does a good teacher need to always use technology to maintain their effectiveness. But before we discuss this question any further, we should define 'innovative teaching.' What is it, and how do we know a good, innovative teacher when we see one?

For me, innovative teaching is often invisible, and the teacher is very much peripheral, to the most important factor - the student and their learning. Good teachers instinctively know when to intervene and most importantly, when to get out of the way. Teaching is not so focused on instruction today (and nor should it ever have been), but is increasingly about facilitation, and considers the student holistically. Innovative teaching focuses on creating conducive environments within which good learning can occur. Innovative teachers are excellent at supporting students, and are also adept at creating engaging content and new experiences. A good teacher observes and measures progress without causing any stress to the learner or interruption to learning.

Innovative teachers are instinctive about student challenges such as lack of understanding, loss of focus, low engagement or demotivation. They strive to find new ways to keep students on task, motivate them to do their best, and encourage them to succeed. Innovative teaching is where good teachers are inventive and creative - where they continue to discover and devise new methods and content to ensure that students always get the best learning experiences. But consider that invention and innovation are not the same. Invention requires a creative individual, whereas innovation requires a courageous community (see for example Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation Theory, 2003). Therefore, innovative teachers also need courage to embed their new methods and content, especially if it runs counter to the culture they work within.

 

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