The Age of Innovation is the Age of Ethos: The Narrative is Ours for the Making

The Age of Innovation is the Age of Ethos: The Narrative is Ours for the Making

I believe the age of innovation is becoming the age of ethos: whom do you trust to guide you into an unmapped field? Whom do we decide are experts in education when education as a field is moving at a pace that is not in sync with the pace technologies are being created?

Questions like these become imperative for parents, students, teachers, and Edtech companies as more and more voices are added to the conversation on topics such as the Common Core, STEM initiatives, technology in the classroom, and assessments of learning outcomes. An ethos that has been established carefully and thoughtfully over time as a reliable source of pertinent information is crucial for any person or persons to capture the attention of an audience looking for the answers. And almost everyone is looking for these answers.

In our culture, I do not see a large divide in the way we think about innovators and innovations. Behind every innovation there is an innovator/innovators and we love to learn about those who inspire us, those who are changing an industry, those who are creating products that have changed people’s daily lives. We want to know the story behind the innovator. We want to know who made the decisions that impact us—what kind of person they are—and we use that perception to make value judgments about the innovations we use. (Think Mark Zuckerberg/Facebook, Steve Jobs/Apple.) So what about the future of education and technology? What should or should we not be doing? Who do we ask? Who do we trust? Who are the innovators in education?

Here's the good news (and I do think it is good news): I do not think we know yet. However, it is into this unknown that Edtech companies have stepped in and set up shop. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Well, I do not tend to favor binary thinking—there will be pros and there will be cons. I do know that an Edtech company who would like to have a voice in the direction education is taking in the U.S., should build up an ethos that values, cultivates, and shares knowledge from teachers, educators, researchers, and experts. If you want your Edtech company to be able to offer questions and answers with respect to education, your ethos will be strengthened by your story and the stories of those who work for you—tell the public who you are and why they should believe in you. How is your voice different from others clamoring for attention? What unique perspective do you have on an issue? What are you credentials? Why are you an expert? What do you value? Why should I believe in you and your vision?

Here’s what inspires me: We are entering a time in history, due to innovation, when it is becoming possible to bring an education to everyone. For a creative person like myself, I cannot help but think of how having more and more diverse ideas in the marketplace of ideas will benefit everyone. Innovation cannot flourish in a narrow field of thought. I am passionate about education and innovation, because without innovation, the whole idea of an “education” would become obsolete. If that were to happen, we would have innovation without critical thinking and civic engagement, which, in turn, would hinder innovation. Education and innovation are not mutually exclusive endeavors.

So teachers, educators, researchers, experts, and Edtech companies, take control of your story —who you are, where you have been, and where you are going—and you will take control of your ethos. Carve a space for yourself in the ongoing discourse about education and technology. Surround yourself with those who have an ethos that strengthens yours. You may find that the cutting edge of education and technology is a very inviting, inspiring, and innovative place to be.

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Shannon Mullally has a doctorate in Creative Writing and loves food studies. Find Shannon on twitter @SMMullally.