Revisiting Innovation in the Classroom

 Revisiting Innovation in the Classroom 


Throughout the duration of the course, my thoughts on how to be innovative in the classroom has slightly changed. When reading my first blog post, I had thought that innovation in education meant implementing new ways of teaching that were never done before. Now after completing most of the course, I feel that innovation in teaching is having the ability to recognize a problem and find a new solution to solve it. These solutions can be new to you, solutions that have been done by co workers, or have been done in research but you have not seen in a classroom. I believe this view on innovation makes innovative classrooms easier to accomplish and something that teachers can actually try to strive for.


When reviewing the resources that I had reflected on, I would keep the academic article written by DeLuca et al (2024). In their research, they found that most teachers do not think of themselves as innovative educators because they have used assessment techniques that other teachers have used (DeLuca et al., 2024). DeLuca et al., (2024) concluded that innovative practices can be small changes and are just as valid. Taking off the high expectations of what an innovative educator is makes becoming one more obtainable. 


The Forbes article written by Shulman (2018) is one resource that I would replace. The innovative ideas are valid, but most are challenging to implement in a classroom. If educators are under the impression these ideas are the only ways to think of themselves as innovative educators, then many will not try. Instead, I would recommend the article written by James (2024). James (2024) lists seven ways to be innovative in the class. Many of these suggestions are ones that teachers could try to do when giving assessments or teaching a unit. It provides tips on how to be successful when first trying them for the first time as well (James, 2024). From my observations, many educators are doing pieces of James’s (2024) recommendations to then create their own version. I feel this blends nicely with DeLuca et al., (2024) findings where many educators do not recognize their small steps to innovation do make them innovative educators. 


When revisiting this topic, I have learnt that innovative practices in education are achievable and should be encouraged. Educators should read these resources to realize their innovative techniques and how they can further develop these skills. It is important as an educator to improve their practice and reflect on the areas that need a new approach. By doing this, I was able to try some of these practices in my class which helped me find my teaching practice and found a solution to student engagement. 


References 

DeLuca, C., Holden, M., & Rickey, N. (2024). From challenge to innovation: A grassroots 

study of teachers’ classroom assessment innovations. British Educational Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/berj.4065 

James, T. (2024, April 19). Innovative teaching methods: Beyond the traditional 

classroom. Innovative Teaching Methods: Beyond the Traditional Classroom. https://guscanada.com/innovative-teaching-methods-beyond-the-traditional-classroom/  

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