Notes from the Forum on Education. Innovation and networking, organized by the Institute of Education Sciences (ICE-UAB) and the Institute of Government and Public Policies (IGOP), and held in Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain, in January 10 and 11, 2014. More notes on this event: 9forumice.
Seminar on innovation in education: defining innovation
Chairs: Quim Brugué, UAB-IGOP.
A group of 40-50 professionals in the field of education, innovation and research reflect on innovation.
Why is there a need for innovation? What is innovation?
- To improve, there are things that just do not work.
- The world changes, and improving is the answer.
- Changes in the context, thus aiming for efficacy.
- Changes in technology, thus aiming for efficiency.
- Adapt to the environment.
- Innovate… or rethink, reflect.
- Explore, find out where are we heading to and where do we want to go.
- Intrinsic to education, it is a part of it, it is part of learning. Fostering change guarantees learning.
- With a goal.
- We need to improve because there’s a need for it, especially when many structures do not innovate.
- BUT, does everyone have to innovate?
- Innovation depends on the context within which it is applied. What we understand by innovation changes depending on the environment.
- Innovation… or improvement? Innovate or review what is being done? Break inertias.
- Product vs. process.
- Creativity.
- Value-centered.
- Generate better learning.
- Learn with emotion.
- Innovate cannot be without equity.
- Improvement vs. change.
- Improvement vs. revolution.
- Why do we have problems?
- Because we fail in solving specific issues.
- A conceptual turn, a substantial turn: not doing things better, but approach them from another point of view.
- A methodological turn, an instrumental turn: be able to provide an answer to the questions that arise from the conceptual turn.
- Science ⇨ Technology ⇨ Application.
- Empowerment vs. governance; products vs. processes; evolution vs. revolution; improvement vs. transformation.
How should we innovate?
- A cartesian approach to everything: questioning everything.
- Be aware of the advancements of science (context) and technology (instruments).
- Open new ways + underpin the new paths.
Innovation should have:
- Environments: hybridization, different approaches within the same space; creative inaccuracy; tolerance to error; role of leadership.
- Engines: superior engine to boost change; lateral engines that help; an inner engine that acknowledges the capital of organizations; and an external engine for collaboration and partnerships.
- Sustainability, innovation has to be maintained.
- Sustainable change vs. the sustainability of change.
- Human resources policies vs. humans policies with resources.
- How innovation happens will depend on the “demand” of the students.
- Trust and accountability.
- Distributed leadership and collaboration.
- Training for innovation.
- Innovation and research should go in parallel.
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