Innovation in Education: A Shift from Traditional to Digital Learning

The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the educational system, forcing the education sector to think of good innovation in education for the next generation. According to an article in Edukasyon PH, prior to the pandemic, the educational model in the Philippines lacked the necessary innovations and technology to address the needs of the students.

To guarantee that students may continue their education even at a distance, educators and representatives from all relevant sectors had to experiment, investigate, and find the best solutions. Students, faculty members, and all educational institutions embraced the new normal – remote learning. Almost three years in now, more Filipinos have better study opportunities and choices based on their educational needs and wants.

The Commission on Higher Education strengthened this when they implemented guidelines on Flexible Learning (see CMO 04 s2020). The CMO introduced the official migration from traditional to flexible teaching with the use of technology.

It has become an urgent need to explore other innovative learning modalities that will facilitate migration from traditional to flexible teaching and learning options…

The paradigm shifts therefore in the teaching and learning process in Philippines higher education necessitates collaboration among stakeholders and strengthening the culture of sharing knowledge, resources, and best practices.

page 1 CMO 04 s2020

The Shift

During the first two years of the online class implementation, it was observed that students showed intense interest in learning that combined challenging topics with the “4 C’s” of cooperation, communication, critical thinking, and creativity. The important components of these strategies, how they differ from conventional instructional models, and the different teaching and learning methodologies are listed in the table below.

Several instructors used methods long before the Internet even existed, and some of the components of learning in the digital age echo those methods. Several education academics have advocated for project-based learning, portfolio evaluations, student-centered learning, competency-based progression, and individualized learning for many years. These strategies might become more broadly applicable and more effective in influencing students’ learning thanks to modern technologies. A multitude of interactive digital learning resources and access to online learning at any time and from anywhere are further aspects of digital learning that are only made possible by the Internet. To really provide students with learning experiences appropriate for the digital age, all of these components must be combined.

The culture of teaching and learning must change for teaching and learning in the digital era. Instructors now build learning experiences that allow students to effectively interact with extensive resources and educational activities rather than serving as the keepers and transmitters of knowledge. In order to design learning experiences that interest students and offer the right degrees of challenge for each one, teachers also transform into analysts of students’ learning, utilizing both their direct knowledge of each student and the data that can now be gathered and promptly reported online. They support students in developing their own learning styles so they may take advantage of learning opportunities whenever and wherever they arise and contribute effectively to both individual and group initiatives. They may utilize social networking to their advantage and teach their pupils how to use it properly while enhancing learning.

Defining Innovation

Simply said, innovation is the process of effectively putting a novel concept into practice while adding value for your stakeholders and consumers.

The seed of innovation is a novel notion. It may be a strategy for a new company model, an updated system for managing your operations, or a plan for a better good or service. It need not be new; it might have already been used by another firm and can apply to any aspect of your organization.

Some people think that creativity and innovation are synonyms. They are not. Creativity means coming up with a new idea. Innovation is taking this novel idea, and solving customer pain points and creating value.

Adam Gutman
Assistant Vice President, BDC Innovation

Although it has become an industry term, innovation still plays a crucial part in a company’s ability to survive and prosper.

Creativity and innovation are frequently used interchangeably. They are not the same, despite similarities. Since it encourages original ideas, creativity in business is crucial. An important element of innovation is novelty.

An inventive concept must also be practical in order to qualify. Innovations don’t always result from creative ideas since they don’t always offer workable answers to issues.

Simply said, innovation is the creation of a new and beneficial good, service, business model, or strategy. Innovations don’t always include significant advances in technology or novel business strategies; they can be as straightforward as improvements to customer service at a firm or the addition of features to an existing product.

Why innovation is important

A company can stay competitive by embracing innovation.

Your business may have a solid customer base, an excellent product, a number of suppliers and a perfectly working supply chain. Your sales may even be growing. But outside your company, your industry is changing—quickly. If you stand still, you are at risk.

Anna Walkowiak
Senior Business Advisor and Business Model Innovation Lead with BDC Advisory Services

What will happen to us if we don’t innovate? According to Walkowiak, this is the most crucial question for a business owner to ask.

This is a rhetorical question. A firm that doesn’t innovate runs the danger of becoming obsolete, losing clients, diminishing productivity, and eventually going out of business.

Innovation necessitates evaluation and effect assessment, whether through qualitative methods like customer satisfaction interviews or quantitative methods like sales measurements.

Profitable and successful innovations do not have to be extravagant or make headlines. They need to solve problems.

Adam Gutman
Assistant Vice President, BDC Innovation

Types of Innovation

According to Agorize, there are 4 types of innovation:

• Incremental Innovation
• Adjacent Innovation
• Disruptive Innovation
• Radical Innovation

Improving a product or service in its market is known as incremental innovation, sometimes referred to as continuous improvement. Though less “spectacular” and noticeable than other forms of innovation, incremental innovation is useful for tackling business transformation difficulties or change management procedures.

A traditional example of successful growth is adjacent innovation. In order to reach a new audience or join a new market, it refers to utilizing already-existing skills (such as technology or expertise). This gives the original product or service a competitive edge that enables it to stand out in the market.

Disruptive innovation refers to the actions taken by a smaller company to shake up an industry by targeting its large, existing competitors’ overlooked segments. 

Radical innovation is the invention of a brand-new item or service that no one anticipated and that tends to encroach on consumers’ lives.

Innovation in education

The educational landscape in the United States was in a similar position. The US educational system desperately needs large-scale, successful innovations that may contribute to the production of the necessary high-quality learning outcomes. The student, parents, community, society, and its culture should all be given priority in educational innovations, as well as teaching and learning theory and practice. Applications of technology require a strong theoretical basis built on focused, systemic research and effective instruction. Download and read Peter Serdyukov’s paper about this here.

On creating a culture of innovation

Entrepreneur.com has listed five ways to create a culture of innovation. These are:

• Empower Employees
• Embrace a culture of upskilling
• Adapt quickly to lead change
• Provide constructive feedback
• Encourage open communication

Filipino Educators showcasing innovations

High School Principal, Mr. Ryan Imbriale said, “Create a culture of innovation in the schools. Accept that there will be many successes and some failures, but those failures will drive even more success.” (excerpt of an interview by Armie David of Sun Star Pampanga). This simple assertion indicates that invention will include failures. Innovation begins with an idea, a straightforward issue, a purpose, or a vision. This is the result of changes, obstacles, the cooperation of ideas, analysis, and decision-making as it evolves.

Another educator, Ms. Sharon Tabayag, stated that she conducts motivational activities before she starts her class and ends the class with a guessing game before wrapping up her class (translated from the article on Quipper). This entails that one need not be too tech-savvy in dispensing innovation in education. The important thing is to know how to acknowledge the students’ behavior and study habits to provide a seemingly custom-tailored lesson.

Go back to Educational Technologies and Innovations page.