Innovation and Educational Technology Dr. Radhika Kapur Abstract

Significance and Meaning of Innovation in Education

Innovation in education is indispensable and members of the educational institutions need to put emphasis upon this concept. In the last few decades, innovation in education has been regarded as a crucial factor in maintaining competitiveness in the globalized economy. Through the use of technologies and innovative methods in education, one can alleviate problems and carry out one’s tasks and activities in a well-organized manner. School level innovations led to changes in the process of learning. In innovative educational institutions, traditional methods of teaching get replaced by a supported system of self-help (What Is 'Innovation’, 2009). In this case, students are learning how to make use of technologies in acquiring a better understanding of the academic concepts and bringing about improvements in the system of education. The use of technology in the preparation of assignments, and projects are motivating them towards learning.

Technology is the use of knowledge, tools, techniques, systems and methods with the main purpose of providing solutions to problems or serving some purpose (Laying, & Twyman, n.d.). In educational institutions, educators make use of technologies to prepare their lesson plans and to carry out other tasks in their jobs. Students make use of technologies to understand the concepts and prepare assignments and projects. The staff members also make use of technologies to carry out the administrative functions. Therefore, it can be stated that when the members of the educational institutions make use of technologies on a comprehensive scale, they are able to carry out their job duties satisfactorily. Within the course of time, there are developments taking place in technologies. The individuals are introducing new technologies, so they can provide solutions to their problems and incur job satisfaction.

One of the major aspects that highlight the significance and meaning of innovation and educational technologies is, they contribute in collecting data in terms of responses of students, learning patterns, content access and a myriad of information on learning effects (Laying, & Twyman, n.d.). It is necessary that new styles of curriculum leadership and teaching strategies need to be developed in each new facility, which will be supportive to the new school organizations that are emerging. The members of the educational institutions have acquired an effective understanding that a conceptual period of increasing length and specific planning is required, if new patterns of curriculum organization are to be understood and implemented. It is apparent that when changes are brought about in modern and innovative methods, the members of the educational institutions are required to augment their competencies. It is apparent that individuals need to ensure they make use of modern and innovative methods to promote welfare and productivity (Howard, 1968).