As part of my new study (Post Grad Cert of Applied Digital and Collaborative Learning at Unitec via the Mind Lab), I watched this talk by Tony and have been both blown away, and puzzled by what he said. To view this talk, head to this link.
Here are some of my initial thoughts on what he said:
The key skills of creative thinking, problem solving and collaboration which we as a staff have also identified as key terms that e learning can focus on are absolutely top of the list of required skills for students to become successful in future careers, in addition to the skill of being innovators.
The challenge for us, and I am not sure exactly how we can achieve teaching skills such as risk taking and becoming used to trial and error (essentially failing regularly) while in a system that only acknowledges achievement. It has got me thinking more about what I am doing with my juniors as that is at this point the easier place to start due to being less assessment driven (particularly in my subject of PE & Health) leading to external certificates. How can I encourage them to take risks and to get used to failing. And how can I help them to become innovators. My biggest question from it all I guess is "Can all students/people become innovators?" I personally am not a creative person and I really struggle in activities that require that skill. Is this due to my personal nature or is it due to the fact that the system of education that I exerpienced did not teach me this skill? I am really not sure about the answer to this....