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Disruption as Innovation
by Leslie Wilson


"Disrupting Class-How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns", a new book by Clayton M. Christensen, prognosticates that computer-based education delivery has accelerated to the point that by 2019, one-half of all high school courses will be delivered via  Internet. This disruption is a major opportunity for US education!!

Christensen, a Harvard business professor, wrote two best sellers on the topics of innovation and the subsequent impact on an organization. It is significant that he has considered the education industry concerning these topics - specifically as related to how technology will ultimately affect public schools.  Christensen's prior books discussed how top companies were knocked off their pedestals because they did not embrace innovations presented by new/better technologies and the shifting business landscapes.  He says that public education is likely headed down this same path.  BUT, this is not a dark horse story - it is one of possibility and potential if school leaders take the reins!!
Wisely, Christensen discusses the near impossibility for schools to adapt to true technology innovation, integration and changing conditions within current structures. Education is ‘trapped’ within existing architectures that inhibit complete transformation.
 
There are existing personnel agreements, traditions that outweigh future vision and entrenched methodologies that are ineffective and costly to the system. High priced textbook adoptions, teacher training programs and lack of individualization for students contribute to a disconnect between schools and technology innovations.
 
Major consumers of online learning are students desiring Advanced Placement courses (perhaps not available at their schools or not able to be fit into their schedules), pre-school and pre-kindergarten experiences, credit recovery, home-schooled and home-bound, and alternatives to the traditional education programs, Online programs are currently being offered by organizations outside the domain of public education.
 
The risk is that those institutions (charter and private schools for example) are not subject to the constraints of public school systems. They have the ability to leap frog ahead of education systems that are bogged down with current infrastructure. Other outside education agencies are engaging these innovations (in this case online learning). Students and parents will demand to engage what is available and expedites a student’s exiting high school into higher learning experiences.
 
The book presents exciting challenges to public schools. There is hope and there are actions that can be taken to address the predictions. There are ways to integrate and create to provide for innovation. Christensen says, “If (districts) will set up heavyweight teams and create the new architecture for the curriculum in a new space—so they have a school within a school, or a different school underneath the umbrella of the district—at that level the school can truly transform itself”. He noted that the intent is to help districts see these changes as opportunity not as threat.
 
Christensen sees great hope in this possible transformation of public education. He says, “Whenever an industry gets disrupted, people always consume more, because it’s more affordable, it’s simpler, easier to access, to customize to what they need. What a wonderful thing, that we would consume more education.”
 
We working to integrate technology (sort of like our lifeblood) are always retrofitting.  Having read the review of Christensen's text, I resonated to his theory because of my own experiences in pushing the ed-tech mission in schools.  The planning is tremendously intricate because of the existing conditions, predispositions and practices.  It makes me stand up and take notice of all we've accomplished.  It also makes me very aware of the work yet to be done!!
 
I'd love your feedback!
 
Leslie Wilson
 
Leslie Wilson is President of One-to-One Institute (OTO), a national not-for-profit serving schools, districts, states and countries in their implementation of 21st century teaching and learning. OTO’s genesis is Michigan’s Freedom to Learn, one-to-one teaching and learning program. Ms. Wilson’s consultancy, Wilson Public Sector Consulting, LLC, serves the education industry. She holds a BS Ed and completed Ed Leadership doctoral work from the University of Michigan, Sp Ed Administration endorsement from Eastern Michigan University and M. Ed in Instructional Technology from Wayne State University.

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