63 & 17 - FREEDOM, CHOICE & TIME

Time is one of the most valuable commodities that most of us tend to take for granted.

What happens when a group of High School Seniors are given time?
Add to that Freedom and Choice to the mix.  Two very valuable aspects of our lives.

For some that time and freedom becomes a pathway to an amazing journey of self discovery and production.  For others those jewels become a frustration highway for reflection and recognition of weaknesses.  While still others become handcuffed by the lack of regiment created in most aspects of their lives.

The time of our Innovations Journey is quickly passing and we are up against the deadline of 63 days until final presentations which translates to only 17 class days in our block schedule.

For Seniors in the Innovations class the reality of first quarter grades, SAT/ACT testing, college apps, homecoming, winter formal etc, etc... has begun to takes its toll on the enthusiasm that drove the beginning.

Motivation now must be at it's peak as these innovators begin to produce the pieces of their creative endeavors.  Energy is at a premium as these students are weighed down by the burden of six other periods that demand that they follow directions, meet deadlines, take tests and read the book.  A class based upon the FREEDOM of CHOICE and TIME is easily the sacrificial lamb for the relief of stress.

The most critical aspects of this course thereby become the possible weapons of destruction as students try to balance the expectations of a college prep world based upon chasing GPA.  However, it is these very aspects that will be the deciding factors for these very students when they are asked to be productive members of the community at large.

FREEDOM, CHOICE & TIME, tools for success or creative destruction.


  

Swimwear, Airfoils and E-zines Oh, My

Ignorant of what can't be done and unencumbered by the fear of failure, @LSinnov8tions students continued the brainstorming process for their passion project/genius hour/innovations concepts.

For some the projects are locked and loaded and already in process, while others continue to try to match their passion for an idea to the idea of actually taking the first steps toward the unknown aspects of the possibilities.  And still others are still juggling ideas waiting for divine inspiration or just some one else to blame for the choice they are about to make.

The energy is still extremely high and peer to peer discussions lead to AHA! moments that seem to help narrow the focus and eliminate the excess baggage.  Twitter outreach still remains a mystery as students who thought their follow lists were automatics are finding disappointment and still others are getting follows they never expected from around the globe.

Momentum has increased for @bishar_amell and @izzybish1998 and their surfable bikini line Amarabikinis (http://amelltheinnovator.tumblr.com). The coding process for the 3D print skeleton continues for @bp90041 and his stability glove for Parkinson's patients (http://bhavpatel.blogspot.com).  Random Acts of Kindness are the focus of @bettinal10024 and @alvisolance0228 for improving the emotional support of the community (https://alvisolance0228.wordpress.com or https://highfiveprogram.wordpress.com).

Documentary film makers are monitoring the water conservation project in order to document their progress and share information. App developers are brainstorming with iBook developers to bounce ideas off of each other. An antique car is being restored under the possible mentorship of car collectors from England. An E-zine is under development while a documentary on bringing change to the educational landscape is being produced.

I am continually amazed by these students and how they have embraced the process thus far. I realize that the newness of this concept has yet to wear off and the stress of college applications and College Board testing has not yet set in, but I hold out hope for the creativity and ingenuity that these students continue to demonstrate each day we come together.

13 TEDTalks to Enhance the MOTIVATION for INNOVATION

Sometimes a little extra MOTIVATION for INNOVATION can be created by bringing experts into your classroom through the world of TED.

Sir Kenneth Robinson - TEDTalk Do Schools Kill Creativity?

Dan Pink - TEDTalk The Puzzle of Motivation.

Steven Johnson - TEDTalk Where do Good Ideas Come From?

Aimee Mullins - TEDTalk The Opportunity of Adversity  

Elizabeth Gilbert - TEDTalk Your Elusive Creative Genius

Derek Sievers - TEDTalk How to Start a Movement

Julie Burstein - TEDTalk 4 Lessons in Creativity

Diana Laufenberg - TEDTalk How to Learn from Mistakes

Kathryn Schulz - TEDTalk On Being Wrong

Sir Kenneth Robinson - TEDTalk Bring on the Learning Revolution

Gever Tulley - TEDTalk Life Lessons through Tinkering

Gever Tulley - TEDTalks 5 Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Kids Do

John Wooden - TEDTalk The Difference between Winning and Succeeding

Parroting brilliance is one thing but hearing it from the source provides an amazing opportunity to expose our students to the perspectives and understanding of some of the most amazing people on the web. Invite them in to your classroom and let them exude their brilliance upon the students entrusted to your care.