How does innovation occur?  Through an inefficient process of ideation, exploration, and experimentation.

we create new value by combining seemingly unrelated things or ideas in new ways, transferring something from one environment to another, or finding new insights in patterns or aberrations. Innovative ideas rarely emerge from an “aha!” moment. Instead, they usually arise from thinking differently than we normally think and from learning.

we are highly efficient, fast, reflexive thinkers who seek to confirm what we already know.

She planned to keep reworking it, applying layers of acrylic until she got the play of light just the way she wanted. Then she laughed and said, “You should see what’s underneath! I bet there are three or four versions beneath this one.” Not only was the student producing a lovely painting — which would one day grace her family’s living room — but she was paying close attention to her learning process. At the end of each class, she added a short reflection to her project journal, which she was keeping on a Google Doc shared with her teacher.

As I listened to this student describe her learning experience, however, it seemed that the more meaningful assessment was happening long before the project came to a close.

Encourage students to make self-assessment a habit, too. Invite students to request workshops or mini-lessons in areas where they want more help. One PBL teacher reserves a corner of the class whiteboard for just this purpose. Use journals or blogs to encourage goal-setting, self-assessment and reflection throughout a project.

Choosing, thinking, reflecting, and sorting possible projects should be a career-long process. Good projects don't fade with time -- they get richer and more exciting for both teacher and student.

Effective principals need clear goals, a culture of support and enough leeway to make decisions

25 percent of a school’s impact

communication and respect

But the task of co-creating their learning — not just the tools that make the task engaging to young learners

the pedagogy comes first

One-to-one technology is great when you have it, but with this collaborative approach, instead of thinking about giving every student pencil, paper and laptop, put all your assets on the table and look at how you can put them together — including skill assets.

examine the entire school environment

Positive Behavioral Supports

target students' conversational ability and social skills