'Disruptive Innovation'

Excellent article online today about Disruptive Innovation This article is available online courtesy of EdWeek.org. Clayton M. Christensen, Michael B. Horn, and Curtis W. Johnson are the authors of Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns (McGraw-Hill, June 2008). The book applies the theories of disruptive innovation pioneered by Mr. Christensen, a Harvard Business School professor, to the education sector.

Very interesting discussion on the implementation of technology to create individualized lessons for students. Highlights the need for technology integration in schools at all levels to serve students on their level. Two sites several of those that replied refer to are Hey Math used by 2/3 of the math students in Singapore and many U.S. schools and HeadSprout a phonics based program for reading instruction also mentioned.

Technology The New Fuel for Education

Technology is in essence a new fuel for education. Previously education was driven by books, lectures and thought. While thinking continues to be the most important part of education, technology is driving a new frontier for teachers who embrace it. Technology allows students to process knowledge in new ways and apply knowledge to new situations. Technology increases productivity and allows students to use knowledge in multiple disciplines.

Teachers are crucial to creating learners who are able to use technology to drive their learning. Teachers must become capable users of technology effectively in their classrooms. They must encourage students to use technology effectively to enhance their learning. Teachers should create projects in their classrooms that allow students to see the potential for learning when using technology. They should create projects that cover several subject areas allowing students to apply technology to solve problems. These projects can have tremendous impact on a students learning and potential to solve problems in the real world. Here is a related article on the New Economy, Technology and Learning Outcomes. It highlights the importance of information literacy, techonology fluency and competent competencies together to our students existance in the society of the future.

Using Technology to Power Up Your Classroom

Technology is amazing as it has the power to help students learn and recall information. Teachers who use technology in the classroom can allow their students to experience a multi-sensory approach to learning material. Brain research shows that when students are exposed to material in a multi-sensory approach they are able to remember it more easily. They also create an experience with the material that translates to new experiences.

Teachers in science can use this approach to incorporate videos from United Streaming or Teacher Tube to enhance their lessons. They can allow students to blog about experiments and create websites to show their experiences in the classroom. When students must retell or relate experiences they are reliving them in their brains and making new connections that will enable them to recall that experience on a different level with an emotional attachment. This will enable the student to remember the experiment long term rather than just a blip in their mental recall. The following video is from teacher tube and has some important points for teachers to remember!