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Sunday, August 14, 2011

Resources that Inspire me to understand change, disruptive innovation, and educational technology.

James Gardner's The Little Innovation Book

Clayton M. Christensen's, The Innovators Dilemma When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail

HBR's 10 Must Reads on Managing Yourself Peter F. Drucker, William Oncken Jr., Donald L. Wass, Stephen R. Covey, Diane L. Coutu, Tony Schwartz, Catherine McCarthy, Edward M. Hallowell, Stewart D. Friedman, Sumantra Ghoshal, Heike Bruch, Robert E. Quinn, Robert S. Kaplan, Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, Annie McKee

Meeting the Challenge of Disruptive ChangeHBR Articles Clayton M. Christensen, Michael Overdorf Mar 01, 2000

How Boredom Can Drive Innovation Blog Posts Scott Anthony May 12, 2011

Leading Change: Why Transformation Efforts Fail (HBR Classic)
by John P. Kotter
11 pages. Publication date: Jan 01, 2007. Prod. #: R0701J-PDF-ENG

Review of John P. Kotter's article entitled Leading Change: Why Transformation Efforts Fail

"Businesses hoping to survive over the long term will have to remake themselves into better competitors at least once along the way. These efforts have gone under many banners: total quality management, reengineering, rightsizing, restructuring, cultural change, and turnarounds, to name a few. In almost every case, the goal has been to cope with a new, more challenging market by changing the way business is conducted. A few of these endeavors have been very successful. A few have been utter failures. Most fall somewhere in between, with a distinct tilt toward the lower end of the scale. John P. Kotter is renowned for his work on leading organizational change. In 1995, when this article was first published, he had just completed a 10-year study of more than 100 companies that attempted such a transformation. Here he shares the results of his observations, outlining the eight largest errors that can doom these efforts and explaining the general lessons that encourage success. Unsuccessful transitions almost always founder during at least one of the following phases: generating a sense of urgency, establishing a powerful guiding coalition, developing a vision, communicating the vision clearly and often, removing obstacles, planning for and creating short-term wins, avoiding premature declarations of victory, and embedding changes in the corporate culture. Realizing that change usually takes a long time, says Kotter, can improve the chances of success.This article includes a one-page preview that quickly summarizes the key ideas and provides an overview of how the concepts work in practice along with suggestions for further reading. It was originally published in March-April 1995 and was republished in January 2007 as an HBR Classic "(Kotter, 2007).

This article by Kotter is very useful in that it deals with a vast study of over 100 companies. The study focuses on the biggest errors that can doom innovative efforts within organizations. I found it quite interesting that one of the most prolific places for error within an organiation is when such organizations are generating a "sense of urgency". As you know we have studied Kotter in this class all learned about his "sense of urgency" and it's importance in industry. I am excited to purchase and read the full article and draw connections from Kotter's ideas.

Final Reflection

I see myself taking a much more active role in teaching others on my campus about technology in the coming years. I consider myself, as do others, to be a go-to person for technology on my campus. I feel like I teach a technologically advanced first grade class, but I haven’t shared much with my faculty. I am the webmaster for my school’s website this year so I will be holding trainings for the teachers. I intend to showcase my PowerPoint presentations that I have created in this class during these meetings to help our teachers integrate technology into their classrooms. Essentially I see myself being more of a teacher to the faculty in terms of the technological advancement of our school.

I feel that my school will integrate technology more in the coming years. We have been awarded a grant in which each classroom is equipped with netbooks, ipads, and itouches. We are about to receive extensive trainings on these devices and how to use them to further our students’ education. I think as a whole that we are moving in the right direction.

The most important disruptive innovation that I can use to transform my organization is the increased use of cloud technology in place of more traditional educational methods. I will be using flat classroom, wikis, and googledocs this year in my classroom and in trainings that I give to the faculty. I intend to move my organization into one of collaboration, both in and out of the classroom. I also will try and encourage others to try giving students choices in how they present their assignments for grading.

In moving my campus from reaction to pro-action I feel the need to be a leader in innovative technology in the classroom. I intend to use all of the resources that I have learned from this class and to motivate the students and faculty to try new things. I know that as a campus we have had fun learning to blog over the past few summers, and the new devices we are blessed to have will increase student learning dramatically. I will be the driving force in getting teachers to take risks and try new technology, even if they feel insecure about it.




Monday, July 18, 2011

Here is my literature review

M2 a7coxm
View more presentations from coxm


I did it in the style of a powerpoint presentation. I think I will present it to my school. Hope you like!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

please help

How do I upload a powerpoint presentation to my blog? I see no paperclip icon or attachment button. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wow

I have to say that this is probably the most challenging assignment so far for me in graduate school. The literature was so overwhelming that I just didn't think I was going to make it. But alas with the support of my wonderful husband who watched my child without a break for untold hours...I am finished. I feel as though I have just run a marathon. I feel great though! I ended up turning this task into a powerpoint presentation, and I think that I am going to present it to our faculty. It's funny how things work out...how immense learning and understanding of a concept can occur when you try to teach it. In writing these slides, clarity happened for me. I hope you enjoy and I PRAY I am on the right track!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

ASSIGNMENT # 3 REDO

Well I must admit I truly didn't get disruptive innovation the 1st time around. Here is my second attempt. I am past the anger and onto the discovery!!

Disruptive innovation has impacted the field of education through the invention of web-based instruction. Online bachelors and masters degrees have emerged into the market of education and disrupted the traditional educational system. In addition to post-secondary degrees, we are now beginning to see online programs for K-12. Disruptive innovation is not an improvement on a product or service, but rather the act of “bringing to the market a product or service that actually is not as good as what companies historically had been selling” (Christensen, Horn, & Johnson, 2011). However, this new product or service is oftentimes cheaper, simpler, more accessible, and converts “non-consumers to consumers”(p.47). This translates to the industry of education in that the traditional model of attending class in person, interacting with your professors and peers in a face-to-face setting and physically being in the same place at the same time, has been disrupted by online classes.
Disruptive innovation occurs when there is a need that is not being fulfilled in the traditional market. Traditionally, organizations or companies attend to the highest-tier customer, and products and services are improved to maintain the interest of these customers. This continued changing and improvement of products and services is called sustaining innovation. “Airplanes that fly farther, computers that process faster, cellular phone batteries that last longer, and televisions with clearer images are all sustaining innovations” (p.46). Sustaining innovation is different from disruptive innovation in that disruptive innovations are usually of lower quality, appear in an unexpected fashion, and traditionally surprise companies whose focus is improving their already-successful products.
Historically the invention of the PC exemplifies disruptive innovation. The minicomputer at its inception costs “200,000 and required an engineering degree to operate [it]” (p.48). Apple then began selling the IIe computer marketed for children as a toy. Since children were “non-consumers”, the children nor Apple cared that the quality of computing was poor. Eventually Apple improved upon the PC, thus making way for the unimaginable success of this new market explosion. This was disruptive innovation at its most fundamental level. “Disruption almost always kills such companies, as they lose their customers.” The competing “minicomputer companies were no different; virtually all of them collapsed in the late 1980s” (p. 50). This disruptive innovation of the personal computer was unexpected, began by appealing to “non-consumers”, and shook the computer market.
More recently, online education has disrupted the educational industry. Through sustaining innovation the educational system has invested in tutoring programs, after school programs, educational consultants, and increased staff in order to boost scores and maintain student success and achievement. However, not all students are successful in this traditional learning environment and have not reaped the benefits of this sustaining innovation. Online classes and programs have swept the educational industry, providing solutions to a niche market of those who are simply too busy to attend conventional school due to the constraints of their job, family, or distance. More recently, K-12 programs have forged their way into society offering solutions to children with learning disabilities, physical handicaps, and behavioral issues. K-12 programs have also been successful in reaching high school dropouts, pregnant students, and students who have faced expulsion or dismissal from school.
What the educational system did not anticipate is how online learning has proven to be a definitive catalyst for change in the educational system. The disruptive innovation in online education has evolved into students choosing to attend online school simply because it is more convenient and preferable. In fact it is just plain easier to attend school online. Working mothers and fathers with small children such as me have been given the opportunity to earn a master’s degree while continuing to be a busy teacher, mother, and wife. The disruption has occurred in that now colleges are being forced to keep up by offering an online alternative to classes, simply to keep up with these revolutionary programs such as the one offered by ACU. In looking at my alma mater’s website recently, the University of North Texas, I observed that they now offer online classes through Blackboard, the program that my husband also uses through Houston Community College.
With all of the wonderful advantages of online school, there are also challenges. Critics will state that online students are not receiving a personalized experience that is possible only in person. However, “online learning today accommodates different paces of learning, and some allows students to chose different pathways to learning the material” (p.91). Online learning has changed my life considerably for the better, as I am able to realize my goals from the comfort of my own home. I feel that my online learning is personalized, and I am forging real relationships with my peers and professors, equating to a rich educational experience. I am able to digest the material, talk to peers and colleagues about the information, and burn the midnight oil if needed as to not disrupt family responsibilities. Attending school this way can also be more challenging however, because nothing can replace a meaningful conversation with a professor. Having said that, I have chosen this disruptive innovation of online education and it has greatly benefited both me and my family.
Online education has proven to be a remarkably successful disruptive innovation within the educational industry. It is more convenient for consumers and has taken education by sneak attack. Will traditional learning institutions be crushed by online education? Only time will answer this question.
“Computer-based learning has already planted itself in these foothold markets. It is gaining ‘market share’ at a predictable pace. Like all disruptions, it first appears as a blip on the radar, and then, seemingly out of nowhere, the mainstream rapidly adopts it” (p. 91).
I have been transformed from a “non-consumer” to a “consumer” (p.47) of online education and am thankful for this opportunity. I am confident that the disruptive innovation of online education will transform the education industry for the better, offering a never-before available solution to those who seek out an education in a non-traditional setting.

Resources
Christensen, C.M., Horn M.B., & Johnson, C.W. (2011). Disrupting class: how disruptive innovation will change the way the world learns. New York: McGraw Hill.

Monday, July 11, 2011

The Effect of Disruptive Innovation in my Organization

The concept of disruptive innovation is a phenomenon that has rippled through the conventional ideas of business. Disruptive innovation is the introduction of a new, simpler product into an oversaturated market that becomes wildly successful. These new products fill a void with a company’s most obscure customer base, new customers, or formulate a new market altogether. Disruptive innovation occurs when companies continue to improve their products through sustaining innovation, and while these improvements are being made, more user-friendly products swoop down and become hyper-successful.
Companies continue to improve their products and other companies compete. Eventually the market is saturated with similar products that provide the same service. When the market is saturated and companies have manufactured goods based on their highest-tier customers, especially in the department of technology, disruptive innovation occurs.
Sustaining innovation occurs when companies continue to improve their products, while focusing on their best and most savvy customers. An example of sustaining innovation would be the cell phone, which has become the Smartphone; which are basically hand held computers. Sustaining innovation differs from disruptive innovation in that sustaining innovation continues to improve upon a highly successful product while disruptive innovation brings about a new product all together, one that is simplified and reaches a new customer base. Disruptive innovation makes a product much simpler and more affordable, and therefore appeals to a broader market.
The invention of the new four track is great example of disruptive innovation in the music world. In the past, studio musicians, studio time, and many instruments were needed to record a record. This was an arduous and expensive task, only available to musicians and bands that had been “discovered” by agents or label A and R reps. With the redistribution of the four track, which had poorer sound quality and less sound effects, anyone could be a rock star. You could record over yourself and use multiple instruments, and now could produce your own demo with no agent, no studio, and no backup band. Now anyone can make recordings, upload them on youtube, and be heard by the world. In some cases, even become famous. More recently, disruptive innovation has changed the world of music in innumerable ways. Instead of buying expensive and bulky CD’s, now you can purchase any song on iTunes and a variety of other sites, and the need to purchase CD’s is eliminated. Now the consumer can pick only one song or a group of songs that they are interested in, and only purchase that. The market for purchasing music has become cheaper, more user-friendly, and appeals to a much wider customer base.
As an educator I see disruptive innovation happening frequently. In teaching first grade we have used the Fountas and Pinell phonics system in my district for years. This series of texts was treated as the bible of emerging literacy. For years I have taught these same lessons with the same results. My students learned their sight words and could regurgitate them on spelling tests, but not much independent thinking and problem solving concerning literacy was happening. The emergence of Words Their Way by Donald Bear changed everything. This system is a phenomenal example of disruptive innovation within the educational system. The premise is simple and so much easier for children in grades K-2. Instead of learning high-frequency words, using pictures, sorting pictures, making numerous copies, and keeping word journals, Words Their Way focused on the simplistic idea of word families. Instead of becoming experts on all of the words that I taught them, they were now becoming experts on all words. There was nothing to be copied, much less to sort, and the idea behind this revolutionary system was, “if you know cat, then you know hat, sat, bat, rat, mat”, and on from there. Suddenly we had a cheaper, faster, and easier program. Our practice of teaching was disrupted and changed for the better. My scores went up, the confidence of the kids improved, and our word family knowledge skyrocketed.
Words Their Way was a huge catalyst for change within my own organization, Spring Branch Elementary. The teachers who embraced the initiative had similar success to that of my class. Words Their Way became viral on our campus and the results were astounding. Not only did the reading improve but the level of writing improved remarkably too. This new program was life-changing in early literacy on our campus. The challenge of disruptive innovation such as the implementation of Words Their Way is the lack of open-mindedness with teachers who are not willing to embrace change. But the biggest challenge of disruptive innovation within the education industry is monetary. When a school district or school makes a huge purchase in technology or a series of new textbooks, and the purchase is not successful for teachers and students, it may be a long while before new materials can be purchased. Even though disruptive innovation paved the way for a simpler, more effective educational approach, the districts might not be able to switch due to costs or state mandates.
Christensen states that disruptive innovation is vital in the field of education. On-line courses and programs are incredibly important to students who might not be able to attend more traditional classes. Christiansen states in an interview with Martha Lagace from the Harvard Business School, “Computer-based learning is an exciting disruption because it allows anyone to access a consistent quality learning experience; it is convenient since someone can take it virtually anywhere at any time; it allows a student to move through the material at any pace; it can customize for a student's preferred learning style; and it is more affordable than the current school system.”(Lagace, 2008)
In the field of education new and improved sustaining innovations are readily available but the disruptive innovations are crucial in reaching students that would otherwise be unreachable. Not only are online programs reaching unimaginable numbers in terms of enrollment, but K-12 students with special needs or circumstances are now able to receive the quality education in which they are entitled. Without disruptive innovation many facets of our world including technology and education would never reach the masses; we are all better for this phenomenon.






Resources
Christensen, C.M., Horn M.B., & Johnson, C.W. (2011). Disrupting class: how disruptive innovation will change the way the world learns. New York: McGraw Hill.

Invernizzi, M., Johnston, F., Bear, D., Templeton, S. (2009). Words Their Way: Word Sorts for Within Word Pattern Spellers, 2/E. Boston, MA. Allen and Bacon

Lagace, Martha. (2008). How disruptive innovation changes education: Q and A with Clayton Christensen, Michael B. Horn, and Curtis W. Johnson. Working Knowledge: The Thinking that Leads. Retrieved from http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/5978.html.

Pinnell, G., Fountas. I. (1998). Word Matters: Teaching Phonics and Spelling in the Reading/Writing Classroom. Portsmouth, NH. Heineman