Stephen Taylor is WAB’s Director of Innovation in Learning and Teaching.

He joined WAB in 2018 as a High School Learning & Tech Coach and then served as our MYP Coordinator in 2019,

Though this new role on WAB's Leadership Team was due to begin in August 2020, the COVID-19 campus closure and transition to remote learning in early February accelerated the need for the role that would help lead WAB’s learning and teaching development in these unprecedented times.  

Why do we need innovation in learning and teaching?  

Since its inception, WAB has been a place of innovation, community and joy in learning. Our school serves a very diverse community, in a dynamic context, through a rapidly changing period of history. With the world changing around us, it is essential for international schools to adapt to thrive.  

As we learn more about the ways we learn, and to meet the unprecedented challenges of a changing world,  it has become clear that the creativity, adaptability and caring nature of the WAB community and flexibility of thinking that WAB has developed over the years helped us to survive and thrive through these transitions.  

Now we are in a hybrid learning model as we transition into our new normal, we reflect on what worked, what can be improved and adjust accordingly. We are also looking ahead and using the lessons we have learned from this experience to inform our best practices and approaches to learning – even when the COVID-19 pandemic has come to an end. 

Innovative learning carries a sense of purpose and connection. It is empowered by students’ interests and great opportunities, yet builds on strong, recognisable foundations of curriculum that can be adapted to suit the needs of students and our context.  

What does innovative learning look like at WAB?  

Innovation in learning can take many forms, including our interactions and technologies, how we design and use spaces, how we communicate and care for each other, and much more. 

2020 has acted as a catalyst to many of our planned innovations. From the piloting and adoption of more effective technologies, to strengthened mentoring, learning communities and flexible scheduling, we needed to adapt quickly in order to serve our learners wherever they are and to stay true to who we are as a school. 

WAB recently launched a new series of blogs and podcasts in which we will highlight some of the key initiatives that are in place and how they impact learning. In recent weeks there have been posts about educational technologies (EdTech) and mentoring, and we are preparing to shine the spotlight on learning communities, service learning, curriculum, and more.  

This series aims to take it “beyond the educational speak” and show real examples, sharing stories of what has worked and how we have learned and adjusted along the way.  

Where are we going with FLoW21?  

From 2015, WAB has been on an exciting journey of reflection, planning and action that resulted in the 21 FLOW targets that described how the community envisioned learning at our school. Over the last few years, these targets have shaped decisions made and action taken in the development of learning systems, experiences and spaces.  

We maintain strong relationships with world-renowned external agencies and accrediting bodies essential to the successful implementation of an innovative, high-quality international education. Additionally this year, we have partnered with some of the world’s leading experts, like Global Online Academy and Inspire Citizens, to design and implement new and unique learning activities aimed at preparing students to make a positive difference in the world. 

Early in 2021, we will reconnect as a community to evaluate our progress and our directions. This will include community forums, feedback and workshops, as well as input on what is important as we move forwards with a new strategic plan for learning. Through this inclusive process, we will set the course for the future and we will need the input of all parts of our community. Please stay tuned for opportunities to connect and to help shape the future of learning at our school.