So
many times I hear educators say, "I want to get my kids to think
outside the box," and yet so many times I have also overheard the same teachers
listing the many restrictions that make out-of-the-box thinking
impossible. Or so they think! I recently read a new book by George
Couros: The Innovator's Mindset, that has really changed my thinking about innovation and problem solving.
As
much as thinking outside the box is regarded as an important learning
goal for the 21st century, sometimes it is more important to grow
learners that can use the restrictions of their "box" to solve problems
or be creative. In his book, Couros focuses on nurturing "problem finders":
students who are able to identify problems in their community, school or
classroom and then create and implement a plan to solve those problems.
In
other words, as educators, we don't have any excuses! Innovation can
happen anywhere and in any "box." However, we will never teach our
students how to be problem finders or solvers until the adults in their
life, primarily educators, model what it means to have an innovator's
mindset.
So
what is your "box?" Many educators list time, funding, or lack of support
from administrators and parents as the "walls" that are
boxing them in. However, by taking on an innovator's mindset, what
educators would realize is that those "walls" may actually be the
inspiration for many innovative ways to reach their students.
I recently presented with the educationcloset.com
2017 Winter Connectivity Conference where George Couros was one of the
keynote speakers. Phil Hansen, another Keynote speaker at the
conference shared his view on creating within limitations. His message
was very inspiring and powerful. Take a look:
Creating within limitations requires innovators to recognize opportunities and follow the paths that are created out of opportunity. I don't know if I can consider myself an innovator yet, but I certainly have been following some opportunities that I never would have imagined. Each opportunity leads me down a new path and connects me to some very amazing people in the world of education. In The Innovator's Mindset, Couros talks about this concept as the "adjacent possible."
I'm going to keep working on building my "palace."
Thanks @gcouros and the #IMMOOC crew for allowing me to join you down many inspiring pathways!
