Innovation is a must for schools, but what does it really mean?

Innovation is a must for schools, but what does it really mean?

The word ‘innovation’ is widely used, but how can teachers deliver on authentic innovation in the classrooms to implement effective learning outcomes?

This question will be explored at the upcoming National Education Summit in Brisbane, which will be held over two days in May.

Curriculum Design Consultant, Rebecca Brownhall will be one of the speakers in a unique conference stream being introduced to assist educators to challenge their students to think creatively.

The Summit’s Creativity & Innovation in Learning Conference will give teachers, school leaders and principals the opportunity to develop mindset skills and strategies for building learning communities with creativity at their heart. 

“Innovation is recognised as a 21st Century learning capability and helps build an ethic of excellence for education, yet it’s not always easy to implement in schools,” Brownhall, said.

“Supporting what we call the ‘Intrapreneur’ - or people who strive for the benefit of others – is an important factor in creating change and improvement, but more than that, it’s about creating an innovative, engaging and curious vision for learning in your place of learning.”

Brownhall said these “pioneering leaders” exist in all areas of education, from classroom teachers to principals and system leaders.

“With the right enabling culture and determination, they can make extraordinary learning come to life for sustainable outcomes,” she said.

International Exhibition and Conference Group Creative Director, Margo Metcalf, said challenging students to think with creativity needs to be “at the heart” of educational practice to continue to create entrepreneurs of the future.

“The Creativity & Innovation in Learning conference is very unique and is finally a conference focused on creativity,” Metcalf said.

Alongside Brownhall, speakers in the Creativity & Innovation in Learning Conference include Jonathan Nalder (keynote), Founding Director FutureWe, ICT Trainer, St Peters Lutheran College; Tamara Sullivan, Head of Academics & Innovation, Ormiston College ; Amanda Bowker, Dean of Teaching & Learning, Ormiston College; Travis Goulter, Head of Junior School, Ormiston College; and Cathy Hunt, Visual Arts, Design and Technology Leader, McAuley College.

With the flagship National Education Summit continuing in Melbourne in August, the Brisbane addition to the long running event comes in response to strong feedback from the education sector for a Queensland event.