Creating a Culture of Innovation

Recently I was very fortunate to hear Nick Donofrio speak about "Creating a Culture of Innovation" at Mount Saint Mary College in New York.

Nick Donofrio, the Executive Vice President- Innovation & Technology of IBM worldwide fame, emphasized how important it is to educate students to think creatively. His comment "Only a few will invent, but everyone can innovate" is an idea to reflect upon as educators.

In the global world students will face fierce competition in their career lifetimes. Innovative thinking need to be developed and nurtured in students in order to advance them in front of others who are unable to address concerns in new ways and problem-solve solutions to old problems. This is their ticket to the head of the class. Innovators find new solutions.

Using Discussion Forums in your classes is one method to develop critical thinking skills. Discussion Forums provide students an opportunity to delve deeper into the subject matter. Students have time to reflect and think. They are allowed time to read and learn more about a subject before they respond. Discussion Forums extend your class conversation beyond the 60-minute class time. Discussions can last as long as needed, as long as students want, as long as anyone has something to add to the topic. Conversations don't have to stop when the bell rings.

Using new communication technologies available today is another way to expose students to other ideas and nurture critical thinking skills. Communicating synchronously provides a perfect opportunity to bring experts to your classroom virtually, no need for travel.

Or invite an expert to participate in a discussion forum topic or field questions from students about a specific topic or idea. Bringing ideas from others through asynchronous tools provides an opportunity for students to hear others point of view and also extends student learning beyond the classroom walls.

Teaching today’s students requires a new way of looking at the way we teach. Innovative thinking is a developmental process. Educators can nurture critical thinking skills with innovative teaching strategies using new technologies. Creative Thinking Skills can be developed, they just need to be practiced.

Innovation - think about it.