Ward,Welter, S. P. (2013, 03 04). Point/counterpoint: Does
the u.s. education system support innovation?. Learning & leading with
technology, Retrieved from
http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-leading/l-l-march-april-2013/point-counterpoint-does-the-u.s.-education-system-support-innovation-
The article “Point/Counterpoint: Does the U.S. Education System Support Innovation?” by Selena Ward and Pete Welter offer two different view points on the question of whether or not our education system is supportive of innovative thinkers.
Selena Ward offers the positive viewpoint saying that yes the U.S Education system does promote innovation by supplying schools with the money they need to purchase technological devices that will advance a student’s use with innovative technological machines. She believes it is not the system’s job to promote student innovation, she believes that job belongs to teacher’s and administrators.
Although I agree that it is a part of the teacher and administrator’s job to promote student innovation I think that she is wrong in her opinion that the education system is adequately supporting and promoting innovation by handing out money for tech. I think that that is the least they can do.
I agree more with the opinion of Pete Welter who believes that the education system is not developing, supporting, or promoting innovation. He argues that the education system today focuses to strongly on standardized testing. This focus creates kids that follow the rules without question, learn only what they are told to, and are made to believe that the only way to adequately judge intelligence is by passing a test.
Welter argues that this type of highly structured education is detrimental to creating innovative thinkers. He says that innovative thinkers are people who question the rules and establishments around them, they look for new ways of solving problems, they often specialize in a particular field and may not be as successful in others, and they are not afraid of failure because failure leads to better success.
Who do you agree with in this debate?
I strongly agree with Peter Welter’s argument because it makes sense. Our education system is stuck on conformity and innovation cannot properly thrive in such a constricting environment.
What do you think the U.S Education System should do to better promote and develop innovative thinking in schools?
I think the first major step needs to be completely eliminating the “No Child Left Behind” agenda and doing away with the strong focus on standardized testing. After that I think we need to make sure that the arts stay in schools. Arts classes are great at developing innovative thinking in students.