Beyond the Gadgets: What *Real* Learning Innovation Looks Like!
Ever hear the word "innovation" and immediately picture robots, VR headsets, or some super-fancy app? Especially when we talk about learning innovation? Well, hold your horses, because a smarty-pants named Robin DeRosa, a true wizard in the world of education, just dropped some serious truth bombs. She reminds us that real change in how we learn and teach goes way deeper than just the latest tech gadget. Let's dive into her awesome insights!
1. It's Not About the Gizmos (Mostly!)
We often confuse learning innovation with new technology. We think if it's shiny and electric, it must be innovative! But Robin says that's missing the point. Real innovation, she argues, is about how we teach and learn (that's "pedagogy," for the fancy folks!), about making social changes, and even about who holds the power in education.
Sometimes, innovation means going back to basics or finding fresh ways to include everyone, not just throwing money at the newest shiny screen. Tech is cool, yes, but it should always serve the learning, not be the main event. Think of it like a really awesome chef: they use great tools, but the magic is in their skill and recipe, right? The tools help, but they aren't the meal itself!
2. Let's Take Our Learning Public!
What's getting Robin super pumped about the future of education? Public-facing scholarship and teaching!
Imagine students not just writing papers for their professor, but instead creating projects that genuinely help their community. Picture them developing open educational resources (think free textbooks for everyone!) or sharing their knowledge in ways that benefit the wider world. It's about breaking down those "ivory tower" walls and making learning visible, relevant, and impactful outside the classroom. It's learning with a purpose, for everyone, not just for a grade. How cool is that for civic engagement and deeper learning?
3. Education Isn't Just for YOU (It's for US!)
Here’s a practice Robin wishes would just pack its bags and disappear: the idea that higher education is a "private good."
When we treat education like it's just a personal investment for a better job or a bigger salary, we run into trouble. Robin explains that this mindset drives up tuition, piles on student debt, and makes us forget the bigger picture. Education, she argues, is a public good. It's about creating informed citizens, solving big societal problems together, and empowering communities. It's about making the world a better place, not just padding individual bank accounts. Let's remember we're all in this together, and education helps build a better society for all of us!
So, next time you hear "learning innovation," try to think beyond the flashing screens and fancy software. Think about how we learn, who benefits from it, and what good it can do for our wider world. It's a much bigger, more exciting picture!
Original Article Link: https://www.insidehighered.com/opinion/columns/learning-innovation/2025/12/11/3-questions-learning-innovator-and-scholar-robin