Raymond Knight and Colajean Butler are the winners of the inaugural “CBE Innovations in Education Competition”. Knight, the high school division winner’s innovation is a self-paced science learning site that integrates “Science with Mr. Knight”, a YouTube channel that currently has 1.9 thousand subscribers and more than 200 engaging and exciting video content. Butler and Bain’s innovation is a system for students to learn music virtually in a paperless program.
The next step is for the Catholic Board of Education (CBE) to work with partners to make the innovations a reality.
Knight was elated with his win. He said it gave him a feeling of accomplishment as the competition gave teachers a chance to showcase their talents.
“The competition forces us to think out of the box and really put on our thinking caps,” said Knight. “The competition also serves as a stimulant for many creative ideas. I honestly feel that everyone that entered is a winner because each person would have thought about something that is useful or beneficial to the teaching-learning experience.”
Integration of technology in education, he said, was inevitable. And that the need is great since most students would have and still are engaging in some virtual learning.
“Additionally, a lot of businesses are moving towards AI [artificial intelligence]. Because of this, integrating technology in education will make the transition into the workforce a much smoother process. Since technology is always evolving, there should be emphasis on keeping current with the emerging technology in education. A teacher that keeps up with technology will always be more effective and easier to adapt to the learners of the era.”
Knight said the plan is to make “guardian angel” a platform that allows more than just giving information but also tapping into the creativity of students while providing a safe space for information sharing. He said “guardian angel” will be the space where the social and educational needs will be met. And will provide easy access where colleges can share information, students can apply for scholarships, and possibly seek job opportunities. “Currently, ‘Science with Mr. Knight’ is warming up to provide educational videos that will serve aspects of “guardian angel”.
Butler said she and Annette Bain were “almost speechless” when they found out they had won.
“I had submitted this entry for the competition at 11:58 p.m. – only seconds before the midnight deadline. Even though the plan for ‘Beyond the Ordinary’ was my idea, Mrs. Bain understood how students learn, and she helped to make learning relevant to this generation of students. To win was furthest from our minds as this submission was done simply to ensure that the momentum of innovative teaching that involved research and technology was demonstrated in a simple but meaningful way. It was done to keep the spirit of the competition alive and to show that we can teach innovatively – even with seemingly traditional methods.”
The project involved a teaching method that was not new, but is effective, and one which they said meets the needs of the community.
“This project would have been carried out even if we did not have a competition as there is a dire need for church musicians, and this is my way of passing the baton on.”
Butler said the competition was important because meeting the current needs of students is important.
“I do feel that many teachers are researching and developing innovative teaching strategies that meet the needs of the students and families in our school communities. This competition merely allowed teachers and para-professionals to show what we are doing from day to day, and it allows educators to share our ideas with others in a formal, research-based setting. This competition was an excellent avenue to show school spirit and to highlight the talents of our various teachers.”
Butler said educators are sometimes not considered effective researchers and that their role in society is minimized. She said competitions like “CBE Innovations in Education” recognize that teachers are an integral part of innovative academia.
And that the pandemic has allowed teachers who are innovative in their approach to teaching and learning to have an avenue to execute what they know is effective teaching.
“For the past two decades, many of us wanted to use online forums but we do not have the resources and overall support to do so. Since March 2020, the pandemic pushed the masses to recognize that integrating technology is essential as there was no other forum that could adequately meet our students’ needs. If technology is used effectively, we can generate a culture of lifelong learners.”
Butler said face-to-face interaction is important, even though there is a virtual element.
“I have found that group interaction is important, even though we have the virtual element. I have found that group instruction in piano is possible and I look forward to seeing how Tonara and Finale propel participants to even more success, as virtual instruction is here to stay. COVID-19 brought much trouble, but through it, much good can come.”
As for where she sees her innovation developing in the future, she said it must be noted that “Beyond the Ordinary” is only a pilot study and they are now testing the components as they enter phase two of the study.
“Being a church musician, a former music teacher, and a researcher, I was the catalyst behind this study but I couldn’t accomplish what we have done so far without the help of others. I simply want to see a new era where creative, well-trained musicians continue to evolve in our society. As we use the program, there will be more adaptations to meet the various needs of our students. Programs like this are affordable and opens up opportunities to many who have found attending private piano lessons too expensive, or their families did not have time to bring them to lessons – and so they never got a chance to learn to play the piano.
“Persons like myself must pass the baton on before it is too late. The online forums of Tonara and Finale are tools to assist students in taking ownership of their learning. This ownership of learning is integral in all aspects of education. Tonara and Finale allow personal ownership and assessment. Tonara allows the music lesson to continue far beyond the one-on-one and group instruction sessions. Finale allows students to simply play their pieces on their keyboards, and their computers will print the scores.”
Butler said it is her hope that other musicians are motivated to use this or other methods to make music accessible to all interested and motivated persons.
“This study provides we can go beyond the ordinary through simple innovative ideas. Use what is simple to do the extraordinary – that’s what we are doing.”
The winner in each category received an iPhone, a tablet, a Baha Mar gift certificate and a cash prize.
The competition was sponsored by Aliv Creates, Baha Mar, Tarver Academy Honor Roll Member Group, Kanoo, Rev TV, Post Boxes Etc., and Rotary Club of South East Nassau.
The inaugural “CBE Innovations in Education Competition” launched in June. The competition was open to all high school and primary school teachers in the CBE system, to encourage and support CBE teachers to develop learning resources with technological components to advance student engagement. The competition challenged teachers to use their summer break to develop innovative education projects.
Eighteen educators registered. All entrants were required to submit a document outlining their innovation and a short elevator pitch describing their innovation. Seven finalists were selected; the finalists presented their final pitch on October 15.
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source https://thenassauguardian.com/innovative-educators/
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