Before thinking about what innovation is, I would like to first look at a definition for innovation. According to Merriam Webster (n.d.), an innovation is “the introduction of something new; a new idea, method, or device”. However, during the Collaborate session, Deborah Carter (2018) explained that innovation doesn’t have to be new, it could simply be renewed. Other points that she made were (a) a concept could be used in a different way, with a different strategy or with new terminology and (b) new management and new technologies in an organization may change things to be innovative. This to me, made the definition of innovation broader.
After listening to the Collaborate session and reading some of the resources, I started thinking about innovation in education. I believe that to keep our students engaged, take intellectual risks and enjoy their learning journey, educators must stay relevant and be innovative by incorporating new learning concepts and technology. This is supported by the article by Dron (2014), where he described how the pedagogies and technologies evolved throughout the years to address the different learning needs of students as well as the faculty. Dron (2014) stated that, “[t]o learn is also to learn to learn, and learning to learn is thus, more often than not, to change how we go about changing” (p. 261). This statement is one that really resonated with me. Another quote is from Goldman et al. (2012), where they mention that “[d]esign thinking, as a mode of inquiry that puts “doing” and “innovating” at the centre of problem-solving, promises to address future needs of the globe. It has the potential to engage students in ways that are inclusive of their diversity, makes school learning relevant and real…which can enhance one’s motivation to learn” (p. 19). There is a lot to consider when designing to ensure that the student or faculty experience is successful and fulfilling. What are your thoughts on innovation and change in education or your workplace?
References:
Carter, D. (2018, December). In Collaborate Ultra. Retrieved from https://ca.bbcollab.com/collab/ui/session/playback.
Dron, J. (2014). Innovation and Change: Changing how we Change. In Zawacki-Richter, O. & T. Anderson (Eds.), Online distance education: Towards a research agenda. Athabasca, AB: AU Press.
Goldman, S. et al. (2012). Assessing d.learning: Capturing the journey of becoming a design thinker. In H. Plattner, C. Meinel & L. Leifer (eds). Design thinking research: Understanding innovation. (pp. 13-33). Berlin: Springer.
Innovation. (n.d) In Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/innovation#other-words.
New: “having recently come into existence”; “being other than the former or old”; “different from one of the same category that has existed previously”; “of dissimilar origin and usually of superior quality” (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/new).
Renew: “to make like new: restore to freshness, vigor, or perfection”; “to restore to existence”; “to make extensive changes in”; “to do again”; “to begin again” (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/renewed).
I also looked up the meaning of new and renewed in the dictionary as I was contemplating the concept of the renew-to-new continuum within my context and I wondered if I can create something genuinely new. Most of the time we build on the knowledge and ideas and inventions that have come before us. When I think about new, inventions come to my mind and not (me) introducing a new component in the web development program. But we have to have a different point of view and see that the new-renewed continuum can fit into a zoomed in an environment.
Have you noticed when you were researching innovation that many sources use the terms change and innovation interchangeably? After meeting my best friend (Google) I found a few excellent articles which nicely described that “innovations drive changes and make them a reality” (Newman, 2017) or “[e]very innovation entails change” (Neumann, 2014) but change or transformation can still take place without innovation igniting it, as change happens everywhere.
One more article recommendation: Six Differences Between Change and Innovation – https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140827113213-6606498-six-differences-between-change-and-innovation/
References
Neumann, M. (2014, June 12). Change vs innovation. Retrieved from https://www.wazoku.com/change-vs-innovation/
Newman, D. (2017, February 16). Innovation vs. transformation: The difference in a digital world. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/danielnewman/2017/02/16/innovation-vs-transformation-the-difference-in-a-digital-world/#6e6cd49565e8
Hi Beata,
Thank you for your comments and the articles that you shared.
I really enjoyed reading your comments about the renew-to-new continuum. I agree that we should have a different and open perspective. When working in education, I find that this is key since students and faculty have different needs. We have to be innovative.
Yes, when I researched innovation, I did come upon sources that used the terms innovation and change interchangeably. I can see how these terms are used in similar contexts especially when looking at the term renew. One can renew an old idea, technology or method of teaching which can then become a change or innovation. However, the articles that you introduced bring a new light to the situation. Nagessar (2014) states that “[c]hange and innovation can go well together, but are certainly not the same. If started at the right moment, they can be synergetic” (para. 14). Therefore, one should be mindful when using these terms. Neumann (2014) explains that every innovation requires change to transform from one situation to the new one, “but not every change involve[s] something innovative” (para. 5). Having these different perspectives does not make things easy when thinking of innovation.
Thanks!
Joyce
References:
Nagessar, A. (2014, August 27). Six Differences Between Change and Innovation. Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140827113213-6606498-six-differences-between-change-and-innovation/
Neumann, M. (2014, June 12). Change vs innovation. Retrieved from https://www.wazoku.com/change-vs-innovation/
Hi Joyce,
I enjoyed your blog post and how you shared your approach and journey of this week’s ideas. I also connected with Dron’s (2014) quote regarding learning to learn and change. For me, I think it related to some of my larger personal philosophies about teaching and what we are actually trying to accomplish. For instance, the content we teach is important and needs to be understood, but learning how to problem solve, communicate, and be successful in the world past school is also important. The world is changing rapidly, and to continue to prepare our students to be successful in a world we don’t even know, we also need to change and be open to change. Dron spoke about the future and how new technology will “radically alter the ways that we can enable learning and that will, no doubt, lead to new and enhanced pedagogies that are not yet conceivable” (p.260). This aligns with the idea of lifelong learning, not only to stay current, but to truly be able to participate in the changes that will come. Being comfortable with change is something that I personally am still working on. I also find education to be rooted in traditions, and change isn’t always welcome. What was it about that quote that resonated with you?
Thanks,
Amanda
Dron, J. (2014). Innovation and Change: Changing how we Change. In Zawacki-Richter, O. & T. Anderson (Eds.), Online distance education: Towards a research agenda. Athabasca, AB: AU Press.
Hi Amanda,
Thanks so much for your comment. I definitely agree with you.
I too feel very adamant about lifelong learning. I keep mentioning to our students that one can never stop learning in all fields. I also think that if we see learning through the eyes of our students, it can bring a fresh perspective. Thus, we can make a change if we see that it is required to learn and to teach. One example of this occurs whenever I accompany our dental hygiene students in our offsite clinic where we see patients who cannot afford dental services. I see their experience through their fresh perspective. They enter this situation without too many expectations and sometimes do not know what to expect. Even though I prepare them prior to their placement, there is always something new that they and myself encounter. I find that the method of teaching/prepping is always evolving depending on their needs. I find that I am including more theory into their practice, so they can “connect the dots” to enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These are only two of the key skills that are important in an innovative environment and are key to “personal, educational, professional, and civic lives of learners” (Jenkins, 2006; Jenkins et al., 2006, as cited by Goldman et. al., 2012).
Thanks!
Joyce
Reference:
Goldman, S. et al. (2012). Assessing d.learning: Capturing the journey of becoming a design thinker. In H. Plattner, C. Meinel & L. Leifer (eds). Design thinking research: Understanding innovation. (pp. 13-33). Berlin: Springer.