Innovation

“Imagination is the source of every form of human achievement.”
Ken Robinson

 

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
Albert Einstein

 

Dictionary definition: Innovation – new idea or method; something new or different introduced

 

Innovation is a word that in some places is over used and in other places under-used, largely as people don’t use its true meaning.  Creative practitioners tend to under-use the phrase.  Wikipedia states that ‘innovation generally refers to the creation of better or more effective products, processes, technologies, or ideas that are accepted by markets, governments, and society. Innovation differs from invention or renovation in that innovation generally signifies a substantial positive change compared to incremental changes.’

If you want something different and if you are looking for change, then tinkering around the edges or sticking with what is known will not often lead to this.  Innovation we believe, comes from the collaboration of creative people working with others, whether this is students, staff, a business or community.  Innovation is helped by being focussed, using the enquiry question to keep on track.

 

Things to consider for Innovation

Bring together people who all have something to offer, probably from different backgrounds/sectors/skillset.

Make sure there is collaboration – innovation doesn’t come from someone telling you what to do.

Make sure you have a focus – an enquiry – otherwise you might go off on a tangent and not innovate in the area you want.

Don’t expect miracles – be realistic about what can be achieved with the resources you’re putting in place.

 

Cre8us Background: The term innovation was not one used by Cre8us or Creative partnerships in particular.  It came out of the day with practitioners when looking at the Cre8us Way.  There was an uncomfortableness with the use of the word innovation as sometimes it is drummed into us that this is a word that should not often be used as it has a sense of greatness about it.  However when looking at what the practitioners did in their practice on projects, it was found that innovation was a suitable word.  From bringing people together from different sectors and approaches new ideas and methods were developed in schools that usually brought about change, often large changes.