Many people
think of innovation in terms of ICT development and use. I just want to point
out that innovation is much more than that.
If we want
to be really innovative, we need to re-think reality from many different
perspectives. It is necessary for teachers to be aware of their students’
needs. It is teachers’ role to try to guide students into discovering their
potential as individuals and their possibilities when working collaboratively.
We cannot
invent many procedures or strategies, but we can adapt them to achieve new
aims.
Nowadays,
teachers need to help students to develop critical and creative thinking
through problem-solving situations. And these situations should be as real as
possible so as to make learning significant.
To be
innovative is to be able to challenge students while keeping a balance between
support and demand. In this way, teachers can provide a supportive classroom
environment for students’ growth. Students will develop assertiveness by
trusting their own capabilities and they will have a sense of satisfaction when
they reach their goals.
To be
innovative is to find new ways to enhance students’ self-discovery. This will
result in students’ engagement and self-determination.
One of the
most relevant factors is feedback. If teachers expect their students to develop
creativity and autonomy, they should provide feedback which is encouraging and
positive. Even when they are correcting mistakes, teachers should highlight
achievements and value the risk-taking attitudes of their students. This
formative assessment is a core element in innovation since students need to be
re-directed all throughout the learning process and, in order not to discourage
them, teachers should take the role of mentors. They will show the way and stimulate
students to reflect and proceed according to their beliefs.
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