What is a Disruptor (Part 1)??

Dictionary.com defines the root word of disruptor (disrupt) as the following:

1. to cause disorder or turmoil in: The news disrupted their conference.

2. to destroy, usually temporarily, the normal continuance or unity of; interrupt: Telephone service was disrupted for hours.

3. to break apart: to disrupt a connection.

4. to radically change as by introducing a new product or service that creates a new market: It's time to disrupt your old business model.

Pay particular attention to number 4...to radically change as by introducing a new product or service...

THAT is the ONE I am looking for!

Who else is tired of doing things for the sake of doing things?

Who else is tired of doing things because that is the way we have always done it?

Who thinks things need to be disrupted a little in our world of education?

Hear me out...I do not believe in destroying, causing turmoil, breaking apart or any of those other definitions listed above.

But...radical change may not be that bad.

 Here are some disruptors you may recognize...

(Steve Jobs, Mark Cuban, Rita Pierson, Rodney Mullen, Malcolm Gladwell, Kid President)

All of these people look (or looked) at the world from a different perspective. They make people think and are not afraid to be different. 

They are all responsible for great ideas, great enthusiasm and people who follow.

Disruptors are:

intelligent risk-takers

enthusiastic for what they believe

different

makers, tinkerers, creators, innovators

Disruptors are not:

group-thinkers

"sheeple"

afraid of failure

status quo

Do you want to be a disruptor??  

Here are 5 ways:

Find something to change then CHANGE IT.

Create an atmosphere that encourages intelligent risk-taking.

Give problems to your students but DON'T have an answer in mind.

Rethink grades...maybe even do away with them.

Do NOT be satisfied with the status quo.

I will add more in part II, feel free to share your ideas.

MS