WHY NOW: Readings Debrief by Amy Ackley

Creating Innovators

2025-09-23 20:15:37 UTC

"Where innovation comes in is in figuring out the right problem to be solved, the right questions to ask, and then figuring out a better way to solve the problem. You can't just come up with a solution for today's problem."

I picked this quote because it's a reminder that innovation can come in many different forms. I typically think about technological advances and solutions to problems. This quote is a reminder that innovation involves creativity and critical thinking. It includes anticipating the future and challenging ideas. This quote also reminds me of Thomas Loren Friedman innovative thinking, questioning, and anticipation of the future in this week's module. The video is 10 years old. His innovative thinking about the future and the questions he posed to educators stand true for today's challenges.

-Kennidi Amorebieta

Michelle McKenzie

2025-09-24 00:49:08 UTC

In Creating Innovator's, it states that "...most people can become more creative and innovative- given the right environment and opportunities." This gives me hope as a person and as an educator because the list of qualities included curiosity, collaboration, integrative thinking, and a bias toward action and experimentation, which are all habits and skills you can work on. Sure, some people seem naturally able to create new things, but just like learning to cook or play an instrument, if you decide to work at it, think about it, and do the things necessary, you can achieve success. A person is a highly creative being and if one wants to be creative and innovative, you can be!

Changing World

2025-09-24 01:10:35 UTC

In Skills for a Changing World, the author states “The world is constantly changing. It always will be. But recognizing the nature of these changes is key to examining the current context in which we live, and the major changes to be expected in our future that should inform how we think of education today.”

I chose this quote because it shows the importance of a growing education system. The world around us is constantly changing; if we do not help our students keep up, they will be left behind. As a teacher, it’s a reminder that my students need more than memorization; they need skills to adapt, think critically, and be creative so they are ready for whatever the future holds.

Kayla Baker

kbaker102 — 2025-09-25 00:09:39 UTC

McGivney and Winthrop state, "Our current world and the changes coming in the future require education to prepare children for a world of rapid change in technology, increasing interconnectedness, and new forms employment. No longer is the focus on mastering content knowledge sufficient in the age of Google." Teachers and schools must take a new approach to the priorities and types of assessments utilized. AI is taking over. It will not go away. We can change things about ourselves, and even the smallest changes can make a significant impact on the world. One thing I am doing in particular is having my students use Padlet to have discussions. There is some whole-class discussion in my room, but to get everyone involved, I also use Padlet and other means.

skills can be nurtured: Tanya Gunter

2025-09-25 01:40:47 UTC

"As an educator and a parent what I find most significant in this list is that they represent a set of skills and habits of mind that can be nurtured, taught and mentored. Many of us assume that some people are born naturally creative or innovative-and others are not. But all of the experts share the belief that most peoplecan become more creative and innovative-given the right environment and opportunities." As an educator and a parent myself we have to all believe in the growth mindset that we are not fixed in our traits. We have to teach our students/children that when faced with a challenge it is an opportunity to grow. I tell my students at first you dont succeed try again and then try again. Learn from those mistakes that is why we have erasers :)

2025-09-25 02:06:17 UTC

In "Creating Innovators" it says: "Many of us tend to assume that some people are born naturally creative or innovative-and others are not. But all of the experts whom I've cited share the belief that most people can become more creative and innovative-given the right environment and opportunities." I love this outlook on being innovative. It's like the saying in Ratatouille, "anyone can cook". Anyone can be an innovator. Sometimes we don't take those opportunities that are given to use because we feel we aren't ready or we're too scared. My principal wanted me to be a part of an innovators group in my school district. He thought I'd be a good fit. I didn't believe him, but I applied anyway and was accepted into the group and have enjoyed being a part of that remarkable, out of the box thinking for the last two years.

Letitia Brisson

2025-09-25 05:42:48 UTC

In Creating Innovators, the author quoted Dr. Robert Sternberg, a psychologist who has studied creativity. He writes, "Creativity is a habit. The problem is that schools sometimes treat it as a bad habit...Like any habit, creativity can either be encouraged or discouraged."

This quote resonated with me because I see too often that teachers simply teach the textbook and teach to the test. There are several reasons I believe this is so.

1. Teachers are driven to get through the content so that students will do well on standardized tests.

2. It takes time and energy to create lessons that are engaging and thought-provoking.

3. Creativity can be uncertain and risky.

4. Creativity sometimes doesn't produce black and white answers or immediate answers.

Creativity is hard to assess. A lot of times, there is no clear answer.

Even though creativity can be messy, it is an essential skill in problem-solving, can make learning more enjoyable, and gives students an opportunity to be self-expressive.

David Richards: Skills For a Changing World

2025-09-25 23:04:31 UTC

According to Skills for A Changing World: "A recent study by Afro Barometer found that in 35 African countries cell phone service coverage has spread much faster than other utilities. More citizens had access to cellphone service than electricity, piped water, paved roads, or sewerage." That is quite a statement about the importance and pervasiveness of information via technology: More citizens, not in an isolated incidence, but in 35 countries have cell service access than electricity, water, roads, or sewage. Technology is still connecting us, making the world even smaller. I think this illustrates the importance of teaching our students how to use computers and smartphones and the internet in general safely and wisely; technology is the future of the job market. It's stated later on in the article that routine, low-training jobs are drying up and being automated, and more and more credentials are being required. Friedman references "job stress," or those we are seeing more and more today who are frustrated because they can't get hired, they either don't have the credentials or are highly qualified for a job that isn't the one they're applying for, or job leaders won't hire them because they have not displayed critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving skills. In a globalized world run by capitalistic influences, our students have to get it right and we have to help them do it, whatever reforms we have to make to school. We can't let "school didn't teach me anything useful" be an excuse why people are unemployed or replaced by technology.

Jaden Byers

2025-09-26 00:27:17 UTC

quote - The future belongs to young people with an education and the imagination to create.” – Creating Innovators

Answer - This quote resonated with me because it emphasizes that innovation is not just about knowledge, but it's about imagination and creativity. It reminded me that education should encourage curiosity and problem solving, not just prepare us to follow existing systems. I chose this quote because it motivates me to think about how I can apply my own learning in my own team environment.

Jade Ellison

2025-09-26 00:27:46 UTC

“Creativity is a habit. The problem is that schools sometimes treat it as a bad habit…Like any habit, creativity can either be encouraged or discouraged.” – Creating Innovators
“The world is constantly changing. It always will be. But recognizing the nature of these changes is key to examining the current context in which we live, and the major changes to be expected in our future that should inform how we think of education today.” – Skills for a Changing World

I chose these two quotes because together they show how education must keep evolving. If the world is always changing, then schools can’t just focus on memorizing content—they need to build creativity, problem-solving, and adaptability into everyday learning. Too often, creativity gets pushed aside in favor of testing and quick answers, but it’s actually one of the most important skills for navigating change. As a future teacher, these quotes remind me that I need to create an environment where students feel safe to be creative and learn from mistakes, because those habits will prepare them for the challenges of the future.