Punctuated Equilibrium is the theory, proposed and popularized by Stephen Jay Gould, that evolutionary change isn’t gradual, but instead has long periods of stability interspersed with rapid change.
It is not the only theory to describe evolutionary change, but it is a persuasive one, and one that rings true when you consider metaphors in humanity. Consider the punctuations that offset long periods of stability in your own life – graduation, maybe, or marriage. Retirement. Sudden illness.
And to my thinking, educational thinking can be described with punctuated equilibrium, as well. Technological breakthroughs, student expectations, literature choices – in each case, the educational world was the same way for a long time…until it wasn’t. It might be a generational shift or a social awakening or a Silicon Valley innovation that causes the rapid change.
And 2020 is the year that our educational equilibrium has been punctuated by COVID-19. The sudden shift to online modalities – 10-20% of students in many school districts are choosing online coursework, and in many districts, like mine, 100% of students are starting their school years with remote learning.
It seems like a shift that is being made simply to address the COVID-19 pandemic, but I think it’s just as likely to be the punctuation to our old equilibrium. We just might have evolved public education into a completely new species.