Copy of Can our kids innovate?

in·no·vate [in-uh-veyt], in·no·vat·ed, in·no·vat·ing.

verb (used without object)

1. to introduce something new; make changes in anything established.

verb (used with object)

2. to introduce (something new) for or as if for the first time.

3. Archaic . to alter.

We can be innovators.

We can teach our kids to be innovators.

We already have the people who know how to do it.

Our charge:

As a cooperating partner of the community, Greenville Public Schools will assure all students the education necessary to participate as responsible citizens in an ever-changing world.

What economists, educational researchers and neurological studies say we should be doing to prepare our kids for the 21st century

Wagners 7 Skills

• Creativity and Problem Solving
• Collaboration
• Agility and Adaptability
• Initiative and Entrepreneuralism
• Effective Oral and Written Communication
• Accessing and Analyzing Information
• Curiosity and Imagination

All of the skills highlighted in blue are skills naturally inherent in an arts infused education.

"Decades of research show strong and consistent links between high-quality arts education and a wide range of impressive educational outcomes," including increased academic achievement, school engagement and creative thinking...

"More recently, cutting-edge studies in neuroscience have been further developing our understanding of how arts strategies support crucial brain development in learning."

- President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (May 2011) Reinvesting in Arts Education: Winning America's Future

Through Creative Schools

Better Thinkers = Better Test Scores and Better Citizens

First, we must accept the research and be open to possibilities. Studies have documented significant links between arts-integration models and:

• Academic and social outcomes for students
• Efficacy for teachers
• School-wide improvements in culture and climate

Next, we need to believe in our kids. The 4 C's (creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration) are skills that can be taught and developed in every child.

Then, we need to look to the experts we already have in our district who are already doing some of this. We need to get those people together.

Maybe we need to establish a team or a position as a CCO (Chief Creative Officer) or a CIO (Chief Innovation Officer)?

This person (or team ) would be someone who routinely utilizes all 7 of Wagner's skills in their work for their students, and can effectively share those strategies with others.

"Just imagine the impact if arts education was embraced fully and integrated wholly into every school's curriculum. It would unleash the talents of all children, helping them to succeed academically, giving them more self confidence, teaching them to be open and tolerant, and keeping them engaged in school." Gail Connelly, Executive Director, National Association of Elementary School Principals

... well, what do you think, can we be innovative?

Sounds great right? So, how do we get there???

I'm suggesting: To use the talents of the staff we have to create an arts infused education that helps students master the four C's: Creativity, Critical thinking, Communication and Collaboration; in CONNECTION with the 3 R's.

This focus would do the following:

Increase 21st century readiness by employing all of Wagners seven skills

Increase engagement AKA intrinsic motivation in learning

(through creative problem solving and collaboration)

Increase enjoyment of learning/teaching (improve school culture)

Make connections across the curriculum

(making learning meaningful)

Better reach At Risk, ESL, special needs learners and challenge upper end kids as well

ALSO...

Responsibilites could include:

Provide Professional Development and Support to Teaching Staff

Sample Topics:

• Teaching Digital Natives (UBD)
• How to teach using the Creative Process(Inspire, explore, create, evaluate)
• How to engage students with Elegant Problems (Critical thinking)
• Making Connections across the Common Core
• Cooperative Learning Strategies
• Portfolio and Formative Assessment Strategies, etc.

Develop a digital portfolio system using existing free "cloud based" software

For Students: To record, share and show growth across all disciplines, this could follow the student throughout their school career, many colleges now look for these digital portfolios as part of the admissions process

For Teachers: To record and share evidence of professional growth. Teachers would have some place to share their innovative practices and this could also be used as part of the evaluative process.

Coordinate District Wide Innovation Challenges

Sort of like an "In - House" OM for all of our kids, requiring kids to engage in the community and demonstrate/ be involved in personally relevant learning

Be "in classroom support" for teachers when they are implementing creative problem solving in their classroom