Innovation is not only about technology advances. Innovation in teaching also involves advancements in science, new political and economic structures, newly acquired and invented solutions to environmental problems and up – to – date life in the 21st century. According to Thom Markham’s blog in MindShift (April,2013), there are 10 ways in order to innovate. These are as follows:
• Transform normal projects into Project Based Learning – PBL targets almost all higher order thinking skills and collaborative skills. Traditionally, teachers simply give projects to students that only measures the art skills of the students by teaching them on how to creatively present their project. But with project based learning, students will be given an opportunity for new discovery that would yield to innovation and perhaps a new invention that could contribute to the advancement of technology.
• Apply the concept based instruction in teaching – Teachers sometimes focus more on teaching facts and memorization. Consequently, students tend to have a limited retention of knowledge since most of them do not understand the concept itself. By focusing on teaching concepts, students will be able to understand, comprehend and even apply what they have learned in school to their daily lives.
• Differentiate concepts from critical information – In order to engage students to critical thinking, teachers are advised to involve them more in open – ended tasks rather than skill – based tasks. Mastery of a certain skills is very important. However, teaching them how to apply those skills in open – ended inquiry will enable them to become innovative and to think critically.
• Apply the 21st century skills – Innovation and the 21st century skills are interconnected. When teachers use those 21st century skills in their teaching, students will not only enhance their critical thinking, but also their innovation, collaboration, leadership and inquiry skills which are necessary in their future careers.
• Practice the use of teamwork – Groupwork is different from teamwork. There are instances wherein students are grouped, but only few are cooperating. It is a must for a teacher to teach students to participate in the assigned task and be responsible on whatever consequences they might face which includes success or failure.
• Motivate students to think – Thinking rationally is very important for students. Teachers can use a variety of thinking strategies in order to enhance their rational thinking. They can use Socratic method of questioning, sharing ideas and insights, discovering solutions and engaging them to open – ended tasks
• Stimulate creativity – There are many ways in order to stimulate creativity. Interactive games and visual exercises are some of the suggestions. If students learn how to become creative, it will be easier for them to find new discoveries and invent new ideas and products that would yield to innovation
• Reward discovery – To reward discovery, teachers can use rubrics that focus on the evaluating the students’ innovation and creativity.
Have reflections in day – to – day activities – If students reflect on their own work, it is also one way of assessing their own output. With this, students can evaluate if they need to correct the mistake that they have made and even improve what they have done.
• Be innovative yourself – There is no better way to teach students than being a role model and a good example for them. If you want to teach how to swim, you have to do it yourself. Similarly, if you want to teach them how to become innovative, you should show that you are also innovative by engaging them into a variety of activities that promotes innovation.
To find more about innovation, check the video posted on youtube using the link below:
For further information about innovation related to Mathematics, check: