I is for Inspiration and Innovation

Today was an inservice for my new job at a new high school. It won't open until next school year but we're getting together, learning a bit about each other and figuring out what we want our high school community to be.


It's inspiring to be around so many enthusiastic educators. They're from all walks of life, all levels of experience, and filled with different experiences. We talked about the kind of "family" we want to build, got to know a bit about the close-knit community of which we're going to be a part, and explored innovative teaching methods.

From HERE

Innovation and inspiration should be an integral part of education but unfortunately, not enough educators are inspired to be innovative. "But this is the way we've always done it" is a statement that can be heard echoing through many a-hallway.


But the way we've always done it just isn't cutting it in this 21st Century world with these 21st Century learners.


The world of publishing is facing the same dilemma though, I have to say, many publishers and authors seem to be embracing the innovations available. Take Coliloquy Publishing for example. It's creating "active" books that function somewhat like the old school "choose your own adventure" books. (Cool article in PW HERE.)


And then there's the brilliant J.K. Rowling and her Pottermore. Currently set to open to the general public (i.e. people like me who were too lazy to get up a the butt-crack of dawn and constantly click the refresh button until they got into the site and registered as a beta reader), Pottermore is supposed to be a "unique online experience" and a new way to experience the fabulous world of Harry Potter. I do wonder, once it is open to the seething masses, if it will crash the entire internet. Anyone want to take bets?

Inspiration and Innovation are fabulous, as long as people are open to them. Great things can happen, if we allow it.