Communicate to Innovate
What a whirlwind. “Wow, I am innovative! I’m ahead of the game! I’ve been trying new and exciting things in my classroom that transform learning.” “Wait, what? Being innovative isn’t just using new technologies to transform learning? I have to involve my students in real-world projects and share their findings with real people?” These are the thoughts that have been going through my mind for the last few weeks. Right when I think I am doing something innovative, I get brought back down to earth by realizing there is always more I can do. An innovative educator must provide real-world, authentic experiences that can make a difference (Nielsen, 2016). I am creating authentic learning experiences that are interesting and relevant, but I need to move beyond the walls of my classroom to truly be innovative.
My ePortfolio innovation plan will aide in me being an innovative educator, but in order to be successful I need to make sure I am not under-communicating my plan. An innovative educator not only has innovative plans, but communicates them to others on a constant basis. If I under-communicate my plan, the innovation will not spread beyond me. Innovation is meant to be shared and change the game, but if I under-communicate, that cannot happen. This is dangerous because it makes the innovation essentially useless beyond the walls of my classroom. I need to communicate often with my fellow teachers, administrators, and other educational professionals in the world using various channels and using them often (Kotter, 2011). Everyone is busy and multitasks, so one message on one channel may not always make it through to the person. People need multiple messages to understand and be engaged. My personal email inbox currently has 48,883 unread messages because companies send me daily emails that I do not always have time to open. If the companies reached me in multiple ways such as television, email, texts, online advertisements, etc. I would eventually get the message. My communication needs to be useful, engaging, often, and through various methods in order to thoroughly explain the innovation and keep others updated and engaged.
In order to be an innovative educator, I need to motivate my students and others. I need to provide my students with real-world, authentic experiences and give them the opportunity to share their learning with real-world people. I need to thoroughly communicate my ideas with others in education to encourage them to be innovative educators as well. Innovation is a process that cannot be done alone.
References
Kotter, John. [Dr. John Kotter]. (2011, March 23). Communicating a vision for change. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGVe3wRKmH0
Nielsen, L. (2016, March 13). Are you an innovative educator? Here's how to find out. Retrieved from https://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.ca/2016/03/are-you-innovative-educator-heres-how.html
