Innovation and Educational Technology Dr. Radhika Kapur Abstract

Barriers to Innovation in Education

In the field of education, tasks and activities need to be carried out at the educators, students, educational institutions and system levels. The members of the educational institutions aspire to carry out their tasks and functions to their best abilities and generate appropriate outcomes. In order to achieve their goals and objectives, they are required to make use of modern and innovative methods and approaches. Within the course of implementation of modern and innovative approaches, certain barriers take place, which have been stated as follows:

Lack of Clarity on the Problem to be solved – Within the course of acquisition of education, there are certain problems that take place. Individuals need to be clear in terms of making provision of solutions to those problems. When they are not clear, in other words, lack of clarity is one of the major barriers that may take place. Significant ideological disagreements about the purpose and role of public education, rights of the states, rights of parents and so forth, cause perplexity in the definitions of the problems to be solved. Hence, this is one of the major factors that cause perplexity and lack of clarity on the part on the individuals in terms of problems to be solved (Smith, 2009).

Lack of Clear and Common Metrics – A system with 50 standards means many types of innovations must customise for each state, which is expensive and inhibits innovation. It also means large amount of funding is used to meet the basic state targets in content and assessment, leaving less room for innovation in how one is meant to teach and assess progress. In other words, when making use of modern and innovative methods in the system of education, it is necessary for the members to hone their skills and competencies and make sure that they prove to be beneficial to the individuals in reaching their goals and enhancing the overall system of education (Smith, 2009).

Policy is Impenetrable to Most Innovators – Innovations are rarely translated into policy changes, whether they are from social entrepreneurs, who operate exterior from the system, where policy constraints are reduced, or from inside change agents, whose work is focused on the constraints of the traditional system. Transformations of political forces and school boards are often used as a political stepping stone, leading to spinning wheels in most districts, which ironically creates almost constant change for the practitioners. But it makes it impossible to sustain any innovation long enough to truly understand the efficacy. Hence, policies need to be formulated that would be assisting and supportive to most of the innovators (Smith, 2009).

Lack of Research – Market dynamics and incentives do not promote innovation. In order to bring about innovation in the system of education, it is necessary to alleviate fragmentation and oligopoly. The educators make visits to other educational institutions as well to generate awareness in terms of use of modern and innovative methods. They need to conduct research in terms of how innovative methods are rendering a significant contribution in bringing about improvements in the system of education. Lack of research and unawareness are major barriers within the course of utilization of modern and innovative methods in the system of education. What kinds of innovative methods need to be made use of is also an important aspect.

Lack of Technology and Innovation – In primarily schools and adult education and training centres in rural communities, the technology infrastructure is not adequately developed. There are wide disparities in the system of education in urban and rural areas. In educational institutions in urban areas, there is usage of technology and innovative methods in educational institutions at all levels. On the other hand, in educational institutions in rural areas, there is lack of technology and modern and innovative methods. Due to lack of technology and innovation, there are occurrence of problems and impediments within the course of progression of the overall system of education. On the other hand, the use of traditional methods are impeding learning on the part of students. Hence, it is vital to implement technology and innovation in teaching-learning methods in educational institutions in rural areas as well.

Lack of Competencies – The professions of teaching, school leadership and educational administration are the ones that not only render an effective contribution in improving student learning and enhancing the overall system of education, but they are rendering an operative contribution in promoting well-being of the community. In obtaining these professions, the individuals need to possess the required educational qualifications, competencies, aptitude and experience. Lack of competencies on the part of individuals are regarded as the major barriers within the course of implementation of tasks and activities. When they are to bring about innovations, they need to ensure they augment their competencies and aptitude. They need to put in their best abilities to generate the desired outcomes.

Weak Knowledge Base – It is essential for the individuals to upgrade their knowledge and abilities, particularly in terms of their job duties. In some cases, educators are not aware of appropriate teaching-learning methods, they do not possess adequate knowledge in terms of their subjects and concepts and are not experienced. Due to these factors, they are unable to help students in achieving their academic goals and objectives, they are unable to provide adequate answers to questions put forward by students and experience impediments within the course of achievement of academic goals and progression of the overall system of education. Hence, in order to carry out their job duties appropriately, it is vital for the individuals, not only in teaching positions, but in other positions as well to augment their knowledge base.

Lack of Infrastructural Facilities – In educational institutions, in order to lead to progression of the overall system of education, it is necessary to pay attention towards the development of infrastructure. The development of infrastructural facilities make the overall environmental conditions within educational institutions and classrooms soothing towards learning. The main infrastructural facilities include, laboratories, library facilities, computer centres, playgrounds, civic amenities, provision of adequate furniture, equipment and teaching-learning materials within the classrooms and other facilities, which may lead to development of interest and motivation and enable the individuals to carry out their job duties in a well-organised manner. On the other hand, lack of these facilities are regarded as major barriers within the course of implementation of tasks and activities. Hence, it is vital for the educators to bring about improvements in the infrastructural facilities.

Lack of Financial Resources – Financial resources are considered indispensable in leading to up-gradations in the overall system of education. When new technologies are to be introduced, or innovative practices need to be implemented or improvements need to be brought about in instructional strategies or any other aspects of the environmental conditions, the financial resources are regarded to be of utmost significance. In rural communities in India, the lack of financial resources is regarded as one of the major barriers within the course of progression of the overall system of education. Hence, it is essential for the members of the educational institutions to implement financial planning in an appropriate manner. Research has indicated that availability of financial resources are regarded as indispensable in leading to up-gradations in the educational institutions in urban and rural areas.

Ineffective Dissemination – Not much attention has been paid towards dissemination of knowledge and information. Through dissemination of knowledge and information, benefits can reach the individuals, beyond those that were originally developed and served. This is mainly due to isolation of practitioners and their lack of rewards and incentives for adopting innovative practices. But it is also because, too often, dissemination is referred to the development of lengthy reports. Therefore, effectiveness in the dissemination process will be promoted through making use of technology. Through dissemination of information and knowledge, the individuals will be able to generate awareness and augment their understanding in terms of the fact, how innovations can be advantageous to individuals in enhancing the system of education.