Reflecting on Chapter 2: The Innovator's Mindset from The Innovator's Mindset by George Couros

My main take-aways from Chapter 2 are:

• Having an innovator's mindset is more than just having a growth mindset
• An innovator's mindset is: "the belief that the abilities, intelligence, and talents are developed so that they lead to the creation of new and better ideas."
• Focus on creating something new with our new knowledge.
• Innovation is a way of thinking rather than all the "stuff" that you may or may not have the budget to purchase
• "We need to learn to innovate inside the box."
• Resiliency and grit are important traits to have as an innovator so that you can get back up after a fail and have the courage to try again until you succeed.
• Critical questions for the innovative educator:
• Would I want to be a learner in my own classroom?
• Is this how I like to learn?
• What is best for THIS student?
• education should not occur by a  one-size-fits-all approach
• What is this student's passion?
• Identity Day- to learn about what students love outside of school
• What are some ways we can create a true learning community?
• Everyone in the classroom is a teacher and a learner!
• How did that work for our students?
• reflect and get feedback
• To have an innovator's mindset, you must have empathy for your students.
• How fitting that I am currently reading Unselfie, a book about empathy by Michele Borboa!
• We should be able to look anew at what we do and ask ourselves, "Is there a better way?"

As for the discussion questions at the end of the chapter, I need more time to ponder them.  Especially the question: 

• If you were to start a school from scratch, what would it look like?
• All I can say to this question as of now is I kind of get to live this question out since I have been at Richard J. Lee Elementary since year 1.  I am feeling very inspired while reading this book, and I know that my administration supports innovation at our school.  Great things are going to happen this year! #RJLYear3 #RJLlearns

Reflecting on Chapter 1: What Innovation Is and Isn't from The Innovator's Mindset by George Couros

After reading chapter 1, my main take-aways about innovation are:

• The point of education should be to develop learners and leaders (which can be teachers, students, and administrators)  that will create a better present and future.
• Innovation is: a way of thinking that creates something new and better. 
• Innovation is not really about using digital tools just to use them but rather how we use them.
• The question all educators should ask each and every day is "What is best for this learner?

-All points above are from George Couros

• Technology is a tool, not a learning or leadership outcome! Bill Ferriter & George Couros
• "Change is inevitable. Growth is optional." - John Maxwell

In response to George's questions for discussion:

 

What is an example of a practice that YOU consider to be innovative? How is it new and better than what you had before?

An example of a practice that I consider to be innovative is taking learning about the life cycle of plants outside of the classroom and into the school garden. We can start a garden at the beginning of the school year and chart its growth on blogs, Twitter, and using other tools such as science notebooks. We can share our learning with a large audience that includes the entire school, parents and families, and even the world. Learners would also learn what types of vegetables to plant when, how to compost, how to care for a garden, what tools to use in a garden, when and how to harvest, how to work together, how to learn from a master gardener, how to chart and document their observations, etc. 

It is new and better than what I had before in that it provides an opportunity for kids to learn by doing in an authentic setting rather than solely learning about it in pictures, articles, videos, or books. We would be using our school as a tool! By having learners take charge of the gardening, they will still have to do research about their vegetables and gardening practices, but it will be for the specific purpose of helping them with their own garden. This could be a Challenge Based Learning experience for sure! The skill of knowing how to maintain a garden is something that they can apply in their own lives now and as they grow up.

How can YOU create opportunities for innovation in your leading, teaching, and learning?

I can create opportunities for innovation in my:

• Teaching by allowing learners to take risks in their learning and giving them more opportunities to connect with others around the world. I can continue to provide Challenge Based Learning experiences that allow them to think of ways to make the world a better place and to actually try their solutions out. It will be important for me to always remember and consider how, what, and why I teach specific lessons to that I can ensure authentic learning experiences for my learners.
• Learning by attending or participating in professional development that will inspire me to think of ways to design learning experiences that are new and better for my learners. I want to empower and inspire them to change the world, so I need PD that will do those things for me as well.

What has changed in our world today that not only makes innovation easier to do, but is also necessary for our students?

What has changed in our world today that not only makes innovation easier to do, but is also necessary for our students is utilizing the various resources such as technology and other tools that we have at our fingertips in ways that encourage us to learn, grow, and connect with others near and far to improve the world we live in. It is so much easier now than at any other time to make these connections and have an audience to hear us. There is an abundance of information just waiting to be discovered, shared, and acted upon.

After reading this chapter and reflecting on it, I feel inspired and ready to take on this new school year that approaches so rapidly. I can't wait to see what amazing things my learners will dream up and do! I also can't wait to have inspiring conversations with my co-designers at Lee about this book! #cisdlearns #RJLlearns #RJLYear3 here we come!

If you're a visitor to my blog and are reading this post, what are your thoughts about the learning that I've shared with you about innovation in education?