Reflection Questions:
1) What is an example of a practice that you would consider to be innovative? How is it new or better than what you had before?
2) How do/can you create opportunities for innovation in your leadership? In your teaching? In your learning?
3) What has changed in our world today that not only makes innovation easier to do, but necessary for our students?
1) What is an example of a practice that you would consider to be innovative? How is it new or better than what you had before?
2) How do/can you create opportunities for innovation in your leadership? In your teaching? In your learning?
3) What has changed in our world today that not only makes innovation easier to do, but necessary for our students?
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ReplyDeleteI am so inspired by the energy and excitement in the room during our last night's conversation about the innovator's mindset. It has made me even more passionate about this journey we are on.
ReplyDeleteIn looking at Question#2 above, I've been reflecting a little on my current role as consultant. Typically, I'm excited about the possibilities for our students but our conversation night has reminded me of the possibilities for us, the educators. So now I'm asking, in my role, how can I be creating opportunities for innovation when facilitating sessions with educators?
This morning, as I drove to a school for a workshop with Grade 1 teachers about the pedagogy of play-based learning in kindergarten, my mind kept wandering back to the energy in the room during our innovation conversation. In reflecting on some of the quotes that were shared, I questioned whether or not our plan for today's session allowed for the same opportunities for excitement as last night? When I didn't think it did, I knew we needed to make some changes. We had to do something that could make this learning opportunity a little newer and better for these Grade 1 teachers. What could we do?
It was the quote "We rarely create something different until we experience something different" that inspired the changes that followed. In order to support the teachers to better understand the value of play in learning, they needed to experience it, in a variety of ways. That was it! I needed to alter my plan.
In no time at all, the principal, coach and I were able to shift things in our agenda so that in today's session, we had opportunities for moving, singing, discussing, observing, reading and playing- all the things young children should do everyday in a developmentally appropriate program. It was a great day! And, we all agreed that these experiences made it a better day of learning for everyone.
Was today an example of creating an opportunity for innovation in our learning? I'm not sure. "Innovation is a way of thinking that creates something new and better." It was better...yet I'm still not sure if it was innovative.
Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions for what we might have done to make it more innovative? I'm curious. What types of innovative opportunities would you like to see in professional learning sessions?