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Are you a BIG WHEEL IN EDUCATION?

Cas Olivier
October 30, 2024
3:19 am
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At the Dare2Teach Differently Summit, held on 26 October 2024 at the Eduvos University in Pretoria, one of our key revelations was the need to break free from this cycle of rebranding old ideas. Educators today are hungry for genuine transformation—strategies that empower critical thinking, promote self-directed learning, and embrace the neurological realities of how our brains learn best.

The message to institutions and schools rebranding old ideas is: Blessed Are They Who Run Around in Circles, For They Shall Be Called BIG WHEELS

In the world of education, we often see institutions proudly touting “new” methods that promise to transform teaching and learning. Yet, when we take a closer look, these so-called innovations often resemble the same old practices, polished and packaged differently but fundamentally unchanged. These approaches create the illusion of progress, while in reality, they lead teachers and learners around in circles.

Why the ‘Big Wheels’ Keep Turning
Why does this cycle of rebranding old methods persist? It’s largely due to the comfort zone of familiarity and the allure of quick fixes. By tweaking established strategies and presenting them as fresh solutions, institutions give the appearance of progress without taking on the real work of transformation. This approach may serve to maintain a stable, predictable environment, but it fails to address the dynamic needs of today’s learners.

True Innovation vs. Repurposed Tradition
True innovation in education doesn't come from merely renaming and slightly modifying outdated practices. It comes from a willingness to rethink, reimagine, and reframe education around what we now know about cognitive science and learning psychology. The Thinking Tools approach, discussed extensively at the summit, exemplifies this kind of meaningful change. Rather than leading learners down well-trodden paths, Thinking Tools promotes a student-centred, inquiry-based framework that honours individual learning processes and the development of critical thinking skills.

Breaking Out of the Circle
Breaking free from this circular motion requires more than just good intentions. It demands courage, openness to new ideas, and the recognition that true transformation doesn’t always come with a neatly packaged curriculum or a catchy slogan. Instead, it emerges from consistent effort to understand and implement what truly enhances learning—methods that encourage independent thought, adaptability, and resilience.

The Call for Change
For educators and institutions alike, the call is clear: stop running in circles. Let’s step off the comfortable track of “Big Wheel” thinking and start exploring innovative pathways that truly empower both teachers and learners. The Dare2Teach Differently Summit was a step in that direction, offering educators the insights, tools, and inspiration to lead the way forward.

A Vision Beyond the Circle
As educators committed to excellence, let’s move beyond the recycled solutions of the past and embrace a future where teaching is informed by the latest insights in cognitive science, where students are seen as active agents in their own learning, and where “new” really does mean new. After all, true progress means looking beyond the wheel and blazing a path that leads to growth, understanding, and lasting impact.

So, are we content with simply being called “Big Wheels,” or are we ready to genuinely move forward?
The choice, as always, is ours to make.

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