Can Essential Questions be Answered? Well, Let's Respond "at this time"!

Throughout this course we have been working with four core ideas; teaching, learning, innovation, and creativity. In using the framework of history and philosophy, we were asked to envision the connections between all four of our core ideas. I thought this was going to be a challenge, but in fact it was a great way to demonstrate to us, how to use these two disciplines to ignite creativity and innovation within our work.

My essential questions that I framed at the beginning of the course was this: To what extent does innovation and creativity fit with teaching and learning? How can we be drivers of innovation and creativity within education?

As we are in the conclusion stages of this course, it seems important to address the questions to see if I am any closer to responding to them.

To what extent does innovation and creativity fit with teaching and learning?

If we recognize the relationship that does exist between all four, we are more likely to see creativity and innovation emerge in our teaching and student’s learning. We have to assess the past and make new iterations for the present and future. In opening our ideas and minds to philosophy, our practices are more likely to generate creativity and innovation may follow. Innovation means living more in the interdisciplinary mindset and challenging the status quo to move our practices forward.

How can we be drivers of innovation and creativity within education?

We have to spread the desire to other educators so that they see the possibility in marrying creativity and innovation in teaching and learning. This links back to the idea of the responsible intellectual- the moral imperative to question and to do the right thing regardless of how uncomfortable this may be at times. This may be ignited through purposeful PD and collaboration with colleagues that provide the space for ideas to come in. It may also help if we apply a generous care-ethic to our relationships.