Joi Ito (Joshua Perry, 2015) states in his video “Want to innovate? Become a “now-ist” that “education is what people do to you and learning is what you do to yourself.” This comment made me think about my past experiences as a new teacher and how I was influenced by others around me.
I was different than most of my educator friends. I was always the one who tried new, innovative things when everyone else seemed scared to leave the textbook. What they didn’t realize was I didn’t necessarily leave the textbook; it provided great content! What I did was take that textbook and make its content more engaging by ways of COVA and blended learning. At the time, however, I had no idea that what I was doing was even considered “blended learning” and I certainly didn’t use the words collaborate, ownership, voice, or authenticity! I was just utilizing the tools I had before me to get my kids excited about learning. I admit, though, that every day was not this special as I still had it ingrained in me the traditional methods of teaching. I am 100% guilty of standing at the front of the room until the bell rang while my kids took notes (or fell asleep) without any opportunity for collaboration or creation.
As a young educator who had the passion and desire to do more, I wish I had worked for school districts that promoted flexible, innovative ways of learning and gave us full permission to experiment with blended learning. Nevertheless, I am proud to say that I, most days, listened to my gut and tried new things despite my colleagues’ and school administrators’ traditional mindset. I agree with Monique Markoff (TEDx Talks, 2014) when she says, “Blended learning is using computers as a tool . . . In order to use this tool, we have to change.” Innovative classrooms don’t just happen overnight; we have to change ourselves and the way we view blended learning if we truly want the system to transform. Joi Ito (Joshua Perry, 2015) supports this idea when he tells us that we should be getting out there ourselves and not depending on large institutions to do it for us. We as educators truly have the power to change lives with blended learning; we don’t have to wait for the school systems to catch up or give us permission. As the kids say, “Sorry, not sorry!”
Joshua Perry. (2015, May 15). Joi Ito Want to innovate Become a 'now ist' [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb2d8E1dZjY&t=745s
TEDx Talks. (2014, May 6). Click here-- blended learning and the future of education: Monique Markoff at TEDxIthacaCollege [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb2d8E1dZjY&t=745s
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