Looking for Classroom Innovation

What To Look For In Classroom Innovation



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COLLABORATION = INNOVATION

First of all the classroom needs to be set up for collaboration, with flexible seating, and in groups, so students have the opportunity to learn from their fellow students.  Students should be given a choice and the best choice students can have is coming up with the essential question (EQ) which determines the direction learning will go.  Too many times the Teacher comes up with the EQ and in so doing takes the choice away from the student in the direction the learning would go (should students not have that choice?).  Reflection should be given, so all learners involved uncover "how to get there from here."  Creativity happens next as the learners take what they have uncovered and apply it to the real world.  As creativity happens, problems are uncovered which leads to new questions being asked; this will lead to innovative solutions (necessity is the mother of inventions).  Finally, students self-assess what they have learned and present it to the world via social media (blogs, twitter and so forth), perhaps bringing experts in through previously mentioned social media or maybe through Skype or Google Hangout. 

References
1. Couros, G (2013). "8 Things to Look for in Today's Classroom"  [Online image]. Retrieved from https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/3586

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