Innovation in the Classroom

What would we see/hear

• Student centered
• Students are active and engaged and maybe a little loud
• Students creating new and unique projects

Student Centered

• Teacher is on the move not just standing in front and talking.
• Moving about checking on students and advising.

Students are active and engaged

• Collaborating on their projects
• Peer reviewing each others project
• Integrating technology and digital content to leverage students' acumen

New and Unique projects

• Integrating technology and digital content to leverage students' acumen
• Projects cross subjects and age levels
• Gather and assimilate info into a project that they are proud of

A setting with the "same old..same old" isn't going to inspire

Give them the reigns

How I innovate

Tissue Paper Hot Air Ballons

Students not only learn about convection, they harness it and let it fly.

Invent a new species.
They create a new species, its Facebook page, and model of it.

Menu of project types to choose

• Story book
• zoo exhibit
• Nat Geo style video
• Teach a lesson
• Informational Poster

External Factors to consider

• Income level of families/district
• Age of faculty and staff
• Admin support
• Student behavior in the school

Income Level

• Availability of technology
• Educational experiences up to that point.
• Stability of family life

Age of Faculty and Staff

• Veteran Teachers can be slower to adapt
• Does the admin encourage and support innovation?
• Are the influential and leaders on staff innovative or set in their ways?

Student Behavior

• Does the teacher have control of the class?
• Is too much time wasted just trying to get class started
• Students must treat each, and the teacher, with respect