Grand Challenges

Think of these Innovation Centers as Community Learning Centers - that incorporate K-12 school, library, and university where learning happens 24/7 with learners of all ages. In some cases, community colleges and senior centers might be involved. In other cases, a preschool might be included in a project. The Idea of an Innovation Center in different parts of the country means that each community can investigate local issues on a global scale. Each Center will include the latest technology and enough bandwidth to handle multiple devices per person. Each Center will be designed by the community to reflect their community.

One community might address urban gardening and how to feed more people in less space. Another community might address strategies for recycling and reducing trash. All findings will be shared among all Innovation Centers and collaboration will be encouraged.

Learning will be personalized by personal learner profiles with support from advisors. Each learner and teacher or advisor will be encouraged to take risks, question, and use critical-thinking skills to address local problems as collaborative projects. Personal learning goals will meet Common Core Standards and address curriculum requirements of their learning plan. Individuals and teams will meet learning goals as part each project. Each learner will collect evidence of learning in an ePortfolio and share via social media, website, mobile devices, etc.

Centers of excellence sharing and creating with the goal of being hubs of innovation, critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration (globally)... I like this idea, Barbara. Are there any existing models evolving towards this end?

Thanks Janice! There are innovation centers in the business world and health system along with Universities and Community College systems. My concern is that any organization can say that they are an Innovation Center. My goal is to find examples and collect best practices to use as models for Creative Learning Centers of Innovation. If we encourage each Innovation Center to focus on local problems and collaborate globally, we can help create learning strategies that make a difference to each child.

The world has changed with communication via technology; we all live in one world. Bridging the gap between preschool age children to senior citizens to collaborate and share ideas to benefit society of “people” is awesome. Innovation and creativity will only build a better world, let’s all hope world peace is not far behind. . . Great idea!

Barbara,

Sounds great, I wonder how do you see technology aiding this effort?

Andrea - technology can play a big part in personalizing learning. The personal learner profile can be based on competencies, skills, or standards. This can be online or as a mobile app. There are a lot of directions each Innovation Center by using multiple sources of learning strategies. Technology opens doors especially for the person born after 1990. They are digital. However, innovation could mean anything and could be different for each Innovation Center. You never know if a game design about climate change or pollution could actually solve a local problem.

Barbara - In your "urban gardening" example I imagine the learners bringing technology with them when they leave the classroom. They might use Skype to communicate with folks who have done similar projects; do a GoogleScholar search to find a soil specialist to instruct them on how to test the soil for mineral content; etc. So the learners are having meaningful experiences and incorporating 21st Century Technology Skills such as: how to find a person who will give you advice based on an image of your dying plant.

That seems like education that has real value for the learner now and in the future - and, hey, they might think it's fun!

Universal Learning E-vironment

The Aries Universal Learning E-vironment™ (ULE™) is the fifth generation of dynamic learning management and assessment system, which offers educational and training solutions for:

Corporations

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Virtual School

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Features:

Learning Management and Assessment Module offers virtual learning solutions

Assessment & Certification Center Module for automated delivery of state exams, test preparation and certification provision

E-commerce Module provides online course catalogs and online course purchasing for virtual school solutions in open enrollment institutions

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E-portfolios Module allows for tracking life-long learning portfolios and digital certificates

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Improve communication between administrators, teachers, students and parents

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I am learning about Personalizing Learning and see the value of changing the learning environment even more than when I added this idea. I created a Scoop-it called "Making Learning Personal" and am finding lots of articles, research, and videos where organizations and countries like Finland and British Columbia are completely changing education and learning environments.

Finland started 40 years ago and making strides in education reform above many other countries where teaching and learning are valued. Now British Columbia has created a new education plan where everything centers around the learner. Please check out how these countries are making a difference and how we could adapt these strategies in creative learning environments in schools or innovation labs.