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G's Curiosities

Formerly titled G's S.T.E.M. Blog.  I realized that my learning has moved beyond science, tech, and engineering, and into a larger buckets of design and education systems.  I wanted a title that reflects my core value and my current state of learning.  So welcome to G's Curiosities.
All opinions expressed on this site are my own and not necessarily those of my employer or other affiliations.

#IMMOOC Wk 2 Reflections - The Innovator's Mindset

3/7/2017

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Innovation is all around us.  I'm a former science teacher, and I love to run pseudo-scientific investigations on myself.  This week, I decided to try an "innovative" product - Active Charcoal Toothpaste.  It is definitely new; I've never seen it on the market before.  So, if nothing else, it's new to me.  It claims to be better by both reducing bad breath and removing stains.  I drink a TON of coffee, so I thought, what the heck.  Let's not take their word for it - Try It!
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Claims of better remain to be seen.  But early results are promising.  And I never would have learned any of this had I not taken a chance to try something new.  In schools, there are definitely ideas that claim to be innovative.  As leaders, we have to ask ourselves a few questions:
  • Is this "thing" really newer and better for students and staff?
  • Have I set a stage that allows for teachers and students to take a risk and try something new without fear of evaluative consequences?
  • Have I considered, really thought about, how this new thing will affect the students and best teachers?  Who might be made uncomfortable with the change?  (From my other current read, Todd Whitaker's What Great Principals Do Differently)
  • What is the anticipated impact on student and teacher learning?  What is the anticipated impact on the school?
  • How am I going to share the journey of trying this new thing?

When a decision is made to make a change, we should also be sure to give that change enough time so we can observe and really determine it's effectiveness, and not brush it off as a flavor of the month.  This requires resilience on the part of the school leader, the teachers, and the students.  We have to have resilience in the face of early stumbles, and be reflective enough to try different iterations until we find one that works.  Or find that we have enough data to decide it doesn't work, and cut it loose.

I also get cautious when I find myself calling for resilience or grit.  We should promote resilience in the face of tough problems that need attention.  Real stuck points.  Not because of poor planning or poor tasks assigned.  We need students and teachers that embrace the mindset that allows them to create their content together and learn together.  I want a school where, as the leader, I would want to be both a teacher AND a student. 
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    Bryan Glover

    This blog will track my adventures as an education innovator, S.T.E.M. enthusiast, and amateur Maker.

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    Disclaimer:  The views expressed in my blog are my own views and do not represent those of my employer or any other entity.

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  • Home
  • My Story
  • Re-Make Ed
    • Change as Belief
    • Studio Learning Research >
      • Q1 - Our Future?
      • Q2 - Learning from Youth
      • Q3 - Sci of Learning
      • Q4 - Building Partnerships
    • Influential Reads
  • Home Made
  • G's Curiosities Blog
  • Contact