FILL TO SUPPLY: IGNITE TO SUCCEED
KRISTANJELO S. ABAD
Being a product of conventional style of education system, there is a tendency that I always compare the way we are before in today’s leaners. I frequently tell my students that they are very lucky because education is now supported with modern technology. Allowing them to be exposed, to explore, to experience and lastly to enjoy learning (4E’s of learning). Unlike before wherein we only use the traditional methods namely chalk & board, textbooks and flip charts as instructional materials for learning, the 21st century learners are getting the most from technology that optimizes the process of gaining knowledge or skills. Teachers of global learners acquire the best tools they need to elevate and expand their learner’s innovation mindset.
Innovation can be defined simply as a “new idea, device or method. Innovation is often also viewed as the application of better solutions that meet new requirements, unarticulated needs, or existing market needs. Such innovation takes place through the provision of more- effective products, processes, services, technologies or business models that are made available to markets, governments and society. The term innovation can be defined as something original and more effective and, as a consequence, new, that “breaks into” the market and society. Innovations can tend to be produced by outsiders and founders in start- ups, rather than existing organizations. Innovation is related to, but not the same as invention, as innovation is more apt to involve the practical implementation of an invention to make a meaningful impact in the market or society, and not all inventions require an invention. (https://en.n.wikepedia. org).
As an elementary it is quite a challenge for me to think and apply innovative methods to teach my students about the benefits of innovation. The adoption and exploration of innovative ideas in education is not easy in my part, I am not that knowledgeable with new technology especially ICT. But I believe that technology, in and of itself does not always project innovation in the classroom, there are countless innovative ways to use as instructional materials to effectively and efficiently engaged students to learning. Acquiring great information, skills and understanding about ICT, new assessment tools, approaches and experiencing and doing them by myself is a great help but does not end there for innovation is continuous and endless like education.
Innovation should start from me to be able to educate my students. I cannot teach what I do not know. There are countless ways of innovating. Self-initiative is a must on my part of action. Researching and acquiring new techniques in education system can support further advancement and can lead major impact in my teaching career. Analytical data available online can help educators to better understand their student’s needs and identify more easily areas of improvement. Educators can use data to determine the effectiveness of teaching methods and get a more granular view of who their students are and what they need to be successful. (https://philmckinney.com/innovation.classroom.
According to William Bulter Yeats “Education should not be the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire”. Innovation does so much more than just “fill the pail”. It ignites the passion of learning and provides students with the skills they need to succeed. Innovation addresses the necessity of individual learners. Every learner has different learning style. Innovative methods allows the teacher to make individualized teaching plans to suit the needs of every student and their unique comfort zone of learning. Innovative learning environment train actual teaching process for the students to become innovative thinkers, to learn leadership skills, and encouraged critical thinking.
A teacher does not only fill the mind of their learners with knowledge, facts, concepts and principles but also ignite their interest to be a productive, creative and innovative citizen of the next generation.