*This is the Fourth of a multi-part blog exploring key points from Tony Wagner's book Creating Innovators. If you haven't read it yet, I highly
recommend doing so. You will find it worth your time as an educator and, if you have kids, as a parent. Creating Innovators can be found on Amazon here. Also, please be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section as I am interested in how this book challenges you (or doesn't) as an educational leader.
So, we have spent some time looking at why we need to create innovators as well as what an innovator looks like. This blog post addresses what we need to do to create innovators. Rather than reading from me, I believe it best to hear from the expert himself: Tony Wagner. The video below offers a TED Talk Tony Wagner delivered. It's about 15 minutes in length, and I encourage you to view it with colleagues, teachers, parents, and community members.
Just one question to reflect on:
How do I work with my teachers, parents, and community members to help my students become innovators?
Creating Innovators: Why It Needs Our Attention (Part I)
Creating Innovators: Why It Needs Our Attention (Part II)
Creating Innovators: What Does An Innovator Look Like? (Part III)
Bonus
If you're looking to ratchet this issue up a notch, I encourage you to watch the video below entitled
Raising Global Innovators. I created it for a global leadership class I took over the summer. Many thanks to the IPA's Online PD Director Arlin Peebles for some post-production assistance. The video ties together the concepts of global citizenry and innovation. Both are important for our kids as we prepare them to be productive, employable adults. Part of the Wagner video shown above is embedded. Again, I encourage you to view it with colleagues, teachers, parents, and community members.
Reflective Questions:
*What did you learn from watching the video? Did anything surprise you?
*Do you believe it is necessary to raise our young people to be global innovators? Why or why not?
*What can you do either alone or with others in your school community to provide your students with global experiences and learning opportunities?
*How can you encourage and support your students to be innovators?
*What resources do you need to raise global innovators?
*Who do you need to collaborate with to raise global innovators? Who is readily available to support your efforts?