I just finished the book "Disrupting Class- How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns" by Clayton Christensen. The book is recommended by the Nebraska Department of Education for schools that are implementing one-to-one computer initiatives.
The author points out the "glancing" impact that technology has had on school classrooms, explains why schools have not embraced technology for instruction, and describes how disruptive technologies can revolutionize education.
Disruptive Innovation Theory explains why some organizations struggle with innovation and how organizations can predictably succeed in innovation. Most organizations focus on "sustaining innovations", those that provide new and improved products and services. Disruptive innovations are those that bring to market a product or service that actually is not as good as what companies historically had been selling. Established companies do not invest in the disruptive innovation, it is developed and marketed by small companies who find a market for the less expensive "disruptive innovation."
An example the author uses is computers. Originally computers cost over $200,000 and required an engineer to operate them. Apple developed the model IIE computer as a toy for children. Leading computer manufacturers did not get into the personal computer market because its existing customers could not use them- they could not solve the problems they needed solving. Apple customers were those that had been nonconsumers of computers and therefore would settle for a less effective computer and a cheaper price. Eventually the disruptive innovation- the personal PC- improved to the point that it put the original computer manufacturers out of business. Other examples include transistor televisions vs. cathode ray tube televisions (if you remember these you are as old as me), the Kodak camera, Bell telephone, Sony transistor radio, Ford Model T, the Toyota Prius!!!, Xerox photocopier, Southwest airlines affordable flight, Fidelity mutual funds, and Google advertising.
So how does the author apply this to schools? He claims that disruptive innovation can circumvent roadblocks that have prevented other attempts at school reform. The disruptive innovation will be in the form of student-centric technology- software that meets the educational needs of each student, based on that students interests, intelligence and favored learning style. This software is not currently available because the research and development costs are too high for existing textbook and software companies.
The author believes that the disruption will start with students taking online courses not available at their school. It will continue as parents and students find tutorials or content online to help those that are struggling with a concept.He claims that by 2014, 20% of students will be taking some classes online.
What schools should do now.
Each school should have one person whose job it is to implement online courses. That person should be free to take whatever steps are necessary to bring in online courses to help the children in the school have access to and find the classes they need.
