A Case for Experimentation in Education
Traditionally, education goes like this: Teacher has information. Teacher recites information to students. Students memorize. Students recount information on test. Answers are marked right or wrong. Repeat. But is this really the most effective way to impart knowledge in today’s world? For so many years, education has been stuck in the past, when it should really be a vehicle towards the future.
“We haven’t changed our process in 200 years,” said Allison Demas, an Early Childhood Instructional Coordinator in New York City. “Going remote brought out how poorly we have progressed in the digital age when everything else is progressing quickly around us."
We talked to three educators about why we should be embracing experimentation in education, and discussed the role of digital technology in the classroom and beyond. Here’s what we learned:
Promote creativity and innovation.
1
If students are taught to approach their work with a sense of discovery and curiosity, they may stumble across more interesting questions and more insightful conclusions.
“Just teaching kids ‘this is red, this is blue’—that’s not education,” says Demas. “You’re not getting anything out of that...so how about let’s try exploring?”
2
Instill critical thinking skills.
In the internet age, it's more important than ever to teach students how to navigate a constant influx of information.
“Memorization isn’t necessary,” said Daniel Vivas, a Principal Fellow, former Teacher, and PhD candidate in Minority and Urban Education. “I have all of the information that’s ever existed in the palm of my hand. So schooling should be about how do I discern what’s real and what isn’t in that. How do I use this tool when I need it?”
Robyn Fialkow Kurzrok, an Elementary School Teacher in NYC, recommends the SEE/THINK/WONDER protocol. In this process, students are given a primary source and instructed to identify what they see, what they think is happening, and what they are curious about. This kind of close reading exercise is open-ended, promoting inquiry-based learning, and upending the hierarchical structure in which the teacher possesses all of the answers.
Normalize failure and teach forgiveness.
3
With an exploratory mindset, less pressure is put on students to be right the first time. Making an honest effort is better than sitting out, and will ultimately get students further. Demas subscribes to the philosophy that “a failure isn’t a failure, it’s an attempt at success.” The more a student tries, the more likely they will improve and eventually succeed. By shifting the positive reinforcement to the effort, rather than the outcome, we can build confidence and celebrate resiliency.
4
Make students feel invested and respected in their studies.
“Students—and people in general—when given the opportunity to be creative, when they know there’s no one right approach, they get excited about it,” said Fialkow Kurzrok. Her students “crave the opportunity to be independent, critical thinkers.”
By making education an experiment rather than a test, they feel more involved. Without a predetermined answer, the students have greater agency in creating the outcome of their work.
Improve education for everyone.
5
No progress was ever made by standing still. If we provide teachers with more space and agency to try out new methods—whether it’s a new lesson plan, a new program, or a new digital tool—we’re expanding the possibility of finding a better way of working. If we give teachers the flexibility to step outside of a restrictive one-size-fits-all curriculum, and acknowledge that people learn in different ways, we can find the right plan for each individual.
6
The future is curious.
At Code and Theory, we know that curiosity is the key to success in the digital economy.
As the world evolves, we believe we must be prepared to let go of antiquated practices and make space for new methods, new possibilities, and new realities in education at all levels. Digital tools should be one part of this push, making it easier for students to collaborate and learn in personalized ways. This type of relentless inquiry and experimentation will give students the skills they need to iterate and grow as they create the next generation of world-changing innovations. We can’t wait to see what they come up with.
WORDS BY
SR. CREATIVE STRATEGIST
EMMA IMBER
SR. COPYWRITER
KATE SILZER
INTERACTION DESIGNER
VIVIANA FLORES