7/17/09 AC Meeting Notes

WHAT is Innovation? (Opening Discussion)

People > Action > Ideas

Ideas should be problems worth solving.  The problem has to be real, have a human impact.

Innovation is COLLABORATIVE - Collaborate through time, through a team, or by chance

Change > Good = Value is dependent on perspective (Good for who?)

Value = Better  (convenience, speed)

Invention vs. Innovation?

Invention> Thing   vs.  Innovation > Use, System

Creates new ways of seeing, thinking, being — mental & physical

Creates a shift in values, behaviors

Creates changes — a ripple effect

Innovation can be a new take on an old thing (cyclical)

HOW does it feel to be innovative:  The AHA!/Eureka! Moment

Excited, scared, anticipation, energized, hopeful

Where can you find innovation?

Inventions, materials, ideas & concepts, transportation, education, actions & uses, clothes

Who can be an innovator? EVERYONE!

EVERY CULTURE CAN BE INNOVATIVE:  Native American, China/Japan, Greek, Egyptian, Mayan, Aztec

United States:  Immigrant Culture

Question:  Do you know if you are innovative?  Or is judgment deferred?

What are the conditions for innovation?

Accessibility    >            

Time – Extended process time (Planning, preparation)             

Space

Materials                                                                                          

Environment  > Emotional Safety, Permission to Fail, Risk, Experiment

Create value for the experience> Internal & External Permission, 

THE BIG IDEA:

INNOVATION is a creative and collaborative response

to a problem worth solving.

 

 

What do you want people to know about Innovation?  

1.  Innovation involves both play & hard work

Play & fun fosters creative thinking, the freedom to imagine possibilities

Hard work & discipline is required to implement ideas

This requires teaching a way of thinking. 

The work is never really done.

Techniques:  brainstorming, prototyping, play acting, storytelling

(Mary Ann, Lilli, Amy)

2.  Risk and failure is part of the process.

Evaluation of problem solving efforts is required in order to determine success.

(Amy)

3.   Being able to tap into empathy & multiple perspectives is key.

A team approach involves multiple perspectives. For optimal performance, members should be flexible, and look at all angles of a problem to come up with creative solutions. 

Differing team personas/perspectives can provide valuable insight in how to tackle a problem.

Empathy with end user can be helpful to finding solutions.

(Mary Ann, Cyndy)

4.  Innovation involves exploring materials and form

How do artists use materials (Pigment, Paper, Clay, Metal) and experiment with artistic forms in new ways?

(Lilli)

5.   The optimal conditions for innovation

How can one foster an atmosphere that encourages creativity and innovation?

See IDEO’s Ten Tips for Creating a 21^st Century Classroom Experience

http://www.ideo.com/news/item/article/ideos-ten-tips-for-creating-a-21stcentury-classroom-experience/

(Joyce)

6.  The process for design thinking / innovation

Identify a problem worth tackling

Observe/Explore

Visualize/Realize

Evaluate/Refine

Implement

(Judy, Cyndy)

7.  Creating Value — Innovation Is Necessary for Society’s Survival

Today’s global challenges are immense.  The world needs people who can find common ground, bridge differences, and work together to effect change.  The world needs positive, productive citizens.

(Joyce)