Knowledge Garage Unleashing knowledge and innovation for the next generation of learning

"Innovation is a set of skills, an everyday thing and not an event or a turn in the road;" it should frame the way we think about changing entire systems "consistently, constantly, and unstoppable;" in education, innovation needs to accelerate as well as happen more consciously and less randomly.

These were some of the major points Keeley shared. Check out an audio of his presentation (available on the Knowledge Garage website) to truly appreciate how so much thinking and products have transformed throughout history and across different sectors.

Keeley's provocative, often humorous and wide-ranging presentation covered four main topics:

1. The fundamentals of innovation: basics
2. Systems are changing: examples from entire fields
3. The field of education: issues and examples
4. Working in the knowledge garage: principles - and how can we capitalize on this moment?

• Think big and stand in the future...Focusing too tightly on the status quo will force failures
• Prototype a compelling model solution...Not because you will get it right, but instead because it is a shared idea
• Co-construct, co-construct, co-construct...All of us are smarter than any of us; don't be exclusionary
  
• Avoid central control...It doesn't work, it is woefully out of date, modern systems don't need it
• Start with what you have now...You will not ever have perfect conditions, so be adaptive and modular
• Foster integrated platforms, not products...not just what we do, but how we do it, so that many independent participants can participate in the solution

An observation: Larry's presentation provides answers to the questions raised yesterday following the Big Ideas multimedia presentation welcoming everyone to the Knowledge Garage: If we can become more purposeful, transparent, and consistent in our approach to innovation, then it could create awareness of what it will take to transform the education system, including building a tolerance for risk, designing a new model of organic leadership, and nurturing a collaborative culture of innovation supported by a robust R&D process.