innovate (verb): to introduce something new; make changes in anything established When I was young the term ‘inventor’ was used instead of ‘innovator’. My image of the inventor was a lone, crazy-haired guy on the brink of madness, working alone in the lab, testing and retesting his ideas, then revealing the final product to theContinue reading "Thinking like a start up: ‘Follow-through’ sets the innovative leader apart. My 5 step process #MakingItMobile"
Just one month to Innovate Rwanda Summit: What can I do for one child, one school, one town, one nation?
Why would I go to Northern Rwanda? What difference could I make there? These are questions I regularly ask myself. It's one month until we convene in Musanze in Northern Rwanda. We are encouraged by responses and registrations from people all over the world joining us in this rural province of a small African nation.Continue reading "Just one month to Innovate Rwanda Summit: What can I do for one child, one school, one town, one nation?"
Thinking like a start-up: Oops, what happens when you forget to. Learning from #Nokia
There are a few characteristics that distinguish a start-up. Enthusiasm Passion Energy Resourcefulness ...and Agility. Agility means being able to respond to changing conditions and relies on being able to look ahead at what’s on the horizon, while simultaneously keeping your eye on the present conditions. SCIL is located in a large K-12 comprehensive schoolContinue reading "Thinking like a start-up: Oops, what happens when you forget to. Learning from #Nokia"
A culture of innovation in school? Just think like a start up.
What's a start-up? Its a business searching for a repeatable and scalable business model. I recently visited ‘Betahaus’ in Berlin. It's a co-working space where like-minded entrepreneurs can work in community. There are areas for quiet, concentrated work as well as communicative spaces and meeting rooms, all with access to printers, scanners, and of course,Continue reading "A culture of innovation in school? Just think like a start up."
Would you still want to be a leader if you didn’t have a title?
Browsing my Twitter feed the other day this question leaped out: What if leadership wasn't a promotion Leadership happens everyday in every sector, with and without designated roles and titles. As we sail headlong into the 21st century it is timely to reconsider the requirements for leadership today, in a work context characterised by projects, rather thanContinue reading "Would you still want to be a leader if you didn’t have a title?"
What skills and attributes does a principal* need for a school** today***?
If we think that school in 2025 will look like it does today, just think about the disruptive change that mobile technology has brought since the iPad was introduced 2010, in such a short space of time. The reality is that how learning takes place will transform, the place learning occurs will change and youngContinue reading "What skills and attributes does a principal* need for a school** today***?"
Nokia, Ikea & Pickled Herrings: Learning from Scandinavia #CEFPI #SCIL (Part 2)
I presented a talk at the CEFPI NSW seminar that reflected on what we can learn from Scandinavia. It is an amalgam of my trips there over the last couple of years, to see what ideas, philosophies, learning spaces and systems that are in use and are successfully engaging students in their learning. (There isContinue reading "Nokia, Ikea & Pickled Herrings: Learning from Scandinavia #CEFPI #SCIL (Part 2)"
Nokia, Ikea & Pickled Herrings: Learning from Scandinavia #CEFPI #SCIL (Part 1)
I presented a talk at the CEFPI NSW seminar that reflected on what we can learn from Scandinavia. It is an amalgam of my trips there over the last couple of years, to see what ideas, philosophies, learning spaces and systems that are in use and are successfully engaging students in their learning. (There is alsoContinue reading "Nokia, Ikea & Pickled Herrings: Learning from Scandinavia #CEFPI #SCIL (Part 1)"
Thanks Sir Ken, I’m in my element! @SirKenRobinson
*When we are in our element we feel we are doing what we are meant to be doing and being who we are meant to be. Rarely do we attend a conference on the future of education and learning where Sir Ken Robinson is not quoted or referenced. The TED Talk that initially caught ourContinue reading "Thanks Sir Ken, I’m in my element! @SirKenRobinson"
Reflection on the Finnish education system: More questions than answers #SCIL
Having spent a little time in Finland I have gained an impression of the educational culture and the system's achievements. Educators from all over the world are travelling to Finland to learn from their PISA success. Some to try and improve their own country's outcomes, while some nations are keen to topple them from theContinue reading "Reflection on the Finnish education system: More questions than answers #SCIL"
culture | learning | design 