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The Innovator’s Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity
The traditional system of education requires students to hold their questions and compliantly stick to the scheduled curriculum. But our job as educators is to provide new and better opportunities for our students. It's time to recognize that compliance doesn't foster innovation, encourage critical thinking, or inspire creativity--and those are the skills our students need to succeed.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews
December 23, 2015
Although I have been a huge fan of George's blog for the past 7-8 years, his book brings his thoughts on leadership and innovation in education to a whole new level. Many education books are either too philosophical (so you are left nodding your head and saying "yes... Now what?") or too much like a recipe (so you are left with little room for context or personalization)... This book is an effective balance between big picture, philosophical ideals and stories that share how it can be done. All of the ideas are shared in a way that make you think, "yup... We could do that" and also (more importantly) asking yourself "why aren't we doing that?".
The book truly challenges us to bring out the best in our colleagues and students by keying in on their strengths and challenging and supporting in a way that makes change happen.
This book should not only be on a must read list for any formal leader in education but also for any educator seeking to make change in his/her classroom and school.
Highly recommend!!!
The book truly challenges us to bring out the best in our colleagues and students by keying in on their strengths and challenging and supporting in a way that makes change happen.
This book should not only be on a must read list for any formal leader in education but also for any educator seeking to make change in his/her classroom and school.
Highly recommend!!!
July 28, 2018
Look, this is tough. This is one of those edu books meant to get you fired up about thinking a certain, new way about education. And, honestly, my district and I are already there in this process. (Couros would argue, and does in the final chapter, that you're never "there" and must seek continuous improvement. I would agree.) So, those aspects of this work are valuable to educational professionals still looking for the "why." I'll give thos book that. The "how" of this I just...I don't know it was off. I felt that major parts of this were part of an extended commercial for Twitter and hashtags. I thought that there was a lot of "this so totally worked in my district therefore it will for yours" types of statements. I rarely buy in to an edu book that relies on larger blanket statements than more meaty research or explanations. If you want to get fired up about innovating your classrooms with both the "why" and "how" I highly encourage you to go read Off the Clock, which I previously reviewed this year.
June 8, 2018
Some key ideas:
Levels of Technology
Literate - I can use the device
Adaptive - I am doing something with the tech that I used to do with paper/pencil
Transformative - I am doing something with the device I couldn't do before such as creating video, connecting with people around the world through a blog (or other ways), or sharing items with other students in the classroom at any time, from any place.
Crowd accelerated innovation:
1 - People share a common interest
2 - Everyone shares to see what others are doing
3 - There is a desire to change, grow and improve
Creating a Learning Culture:
1 - Focus on strengths
2- Work together and push each other to grow
3 - Don't expect people to improve their weaknesses on their own time.
How do we as a group create a culture like this? What steps can we take?
Why connect with others? Because we "learn twice" when we share with an audience.
We should be co-learners with the students we teach. How do you show your students that you are learning?
What is most important is what we create from what we've learned ... not just what we've learned. Using our knowledge to create something new that makes it our own.
Technology should personalize learning NOT standardize it.
Each school can be innovative in its own way ... have its own focus. Inquiry, self-regulation and digital access
To collaborate is so powerful because no one teacher has to know everything. We all bring strengths to the table. We just need to trust enough to admit when we need help or don't have all the answers.
The more we connect, the more opportunities will come our way. What are ways that we can connect as a group to innovate?
Commit to three tools that allow collaboration and sharing ideas locally and globally. Narrow focus for deeper learning.
In order to grow, we need purpose and autonomy. Long-term growth requires patience, focus and perseverance.
Reading and writing should be the floor, not the ceiling.
Moving from classroom teacher to school teacher to global teacher.
pg. 207 (modified): Driving questions for unleashing talent:
1. Do I know and build upon the strengths of those I work with?
2. Are we embracing new and better opportunities for learning, and making decisions based on these new realities?
3. What are the few purposeful areas we are focused on?
4. How do we share openly and regularly to further our own learning and development?
5. Do our professional learning opportunities mirror the learning we want to create for our students?
What if all teachers tweeted (using school hashtag) about one thing a day that they did in their classrooms and took five minutes to read other teacher's tweets?
Levels of Technology
Literate - I can use the device
Adaptive - I am doing something with the tech that I used to do with paper/pencil
Transformative - I am doing something with the device I couldn't do before such as creating video, connecting with people around the world through a blog (or other ways), or sharing items with other students in the classroom at any time, from any place.
Crowd accelerated innovation:
1 - People share a common interest
2 - Everyone shares to see what others are doing
3 - There is a desire to change, grow and improve
Creating a Learning Culture:
1 - Focus on strengths
2- Work together and push each other to grow
3 - Don't expect people to improve their weaknesses on their own time.
How do we as a group create a culture like this? What steps can we take?
Why connect with others? Because we "learn twice" when we share with an audience.
We should be co-learners with the students we teach. How do you show your students that you are learning?
What is most important is what we create from what we've learned ... not just what we've learned. Using our knowledge to create something new that makes it our own.
Technology should personalize learning NOT standardize it.
Each school can be innovative in its own way ... have its own focus. Inquiry, self-regulation and digital access
To collaborate is so powerful because no one teacher has to know everything. We all bring strengths to the table. We just need to trust enough to admit when we need help or don't have all the answers.
The more we connect, the more opportunities will come our way. What are ways that we can connect as a group to innovate?
Commit to three tools that allow collaboration and sharing ideas locally and globally. Narrow focus for deeper learning.
In order to grow, we need purpose and autonomy. Long-term growth requires patience, focus and perseverance.
Reading and writing should be the floor, not the ceiling.
Moving from classroom teacher to school teacher to global teacher.
pg. 207 (modified): Driving questions for unleashing talent:
1. Do I know and build upon the strengths of those I work with?
2. Are we embracing new and better opportunities for learning, and making decisions based on these new realities?
3. What are the few purposeful areas we are focused on?
4. How do we share openly and regularly to further our own learning and development?
5. Do our professional learning opportunities mirror the learning we want to create for our students?
What if all teachers tweeted (using school hashtag) about one thing a day that they did in their classrooms and took five minutes to read other teacher's tweets?
February 22, 2016
First half... Blah blah blah. 2nd half - good stuff. He extols the virtue of grit, but I thought grit is now out?
October 19, 2016
I saw Couros speak at Ohio State University, and he was super inspiring. I think I came away from that session with six or seven pages of notes, a lot of them ideas unrelated to the speech itself but ideas spurred from the speech.
Education seems to be always described as this slow moving machine. People often poke fun at all government institutions this way. This book is a testament to the learner/teacher model: the best teachers are the best learners. And if we model all classrooms this way, the best learner needs to show how they learn. And we can't learn by doing the same thing all the time. That's a powerful thing to think about and a powerful thing for education. It's needed for the betterment of teachers and the--obviously and most importantly--the betterment of students.
Society would be so wonderful if we all never stopped learning.
Education seems to be always described as this slow moving machine. People often poke fun at all government institutions this way. This book is a testament to the learner/teacher model: the best teachers are the best learners. And if we model all classrooms this way, the best learner needs to show how they learn. And we can't learn by doing the same thing all the time. That's a powerful thing to think about and a powerful thing for education. It's needed for the betterment of teachers and the--obviously and most importantly--the betterment of students.
Society would be so wonderful if we all never stopped learning.
July 14, 2017
So many thoughts ... and frustrations. And plans and wishes ... and I admit, "buts."
July 19, 2017
This book has many great ideas and things to think about for today's educators!
March 13, 2019
I really can't say enough good things about this book. It took me a long time to get through it, mainly because every time I read something, I had to stop, contact a colleague about it, and brainstorm ways we could implement Couros' suggestions into our teaching. While much of it is geared towards educators in leadership positions, like superintendents and principals, the reality is that we're all the leaders of our own classrooms, so everything Couros suggests is applicable, regardless of your position.
The crux of his thesis is that, while having the newest bells and whistles is nice, it's not what's necessary in order to be an innovator, though often we think it is. What is necessary to be an innovator is simply a shift in thinking. What a powerful idea! One thing I love most about the book is that, while many of Couros' suggestions will take time to implement and will require a lot of buy-in before real change occurs, there are just as many suggestions that are small and able to be implemented right away. I love a book that, not only gets me excited and reinvigorated about teaching, but that is applicable as well. This book has it all, and is one I will be coming back to again and again.
The crux of his thesis is that, while having the newest bells and whistles is nice, it's not what's necessary in order to be an innovator, though often we think it is. What is necessary to be an innovator is simply a shift in thinking. What a powerful idea! One thing I love most about the book is that, while many of Couros' suggestions will take time to implement and will require a lot of buy-in before real change occurs, there are just as many suggestions that are small and able to be implemented right away. I love a book that, not only gets me excited and reinvigorated about teaching, but that is applicable as well. This book has it all, and is one I will be coming back to again and again.
November 15, 2016
An interesting read about pushing progress in the static system of education with an "innovator's mindset". However, I found a lot of the suggestions in this book a bit mundane: blogging as a way to learn, reflect, and share, more teacher education and risk-taking, empowering employee strengths, etc.. These ideas, instead of being innovative, are actually quite derivative from the progress in every other field besides education. These are already common ideas in business, technology, and design, and it almost made me sad that these concepts aren't already implemented in the education space. Couros brings some good examples from his own work as an educator and principal which lend some life to the reading, but I found the value gained vs. time spent reading this book on the low side.
January 1, 2018
I felt empowered by the ideas and sharing in this book. I am so glad I stumbled on it (on line during a Google search). I am also now enjoying the blog posts from George Couros. What I wish, though, is that blogs and twitter weren’t so heavily touted as the path to sharing, learning, or innovation. I have more than one reason for this, but not insignificant is the implication that teachers have time in their day — or that writing a blog about school (what about their personal passions?) would be how they would choose to spend their time out of the classroom. The only responsible approach, I think, is when teachers write while students write...and that isn’t seen as good teaching often enough. Just a thought.
December 22, 2017
I saw George speak in 2011 and he was amazing. Excited that he shared his views in this book. Must read for anyone in education.
July 12, 2019
While the ideas in this book are mostly solid, I don't think any of them are truly new. It is mostly a recapitulation of modern professional development that as educators we ought to use internet resources to improve our classroom environments and teaching techniques all the while being sure to use technology with students in a transformative way (i.e. giving students tasks or possibilities impossible without technology, e.g. crowdsource a simple social survey and ask a sociologist via social media to interpret the results) rather than in a replacement way (what Couros would call the "thousand-dollar" pencil - a device used solely for word processing).
I think my biggest problem with the book is Couros seems to say "Try this idea! Try that idea!" and then "Try this idea - it's the same as the previous two!" over and over. I understand the excitement about the possibilities afforded by the internet but as a tech teacher who gets his kids on devices much of every class I am currently more interested in how I can use tech or screens Less in my classroom and restore some old-school teaching methods emphasizing face-to-face interaction and the development of students' soft skills and Emotional Quotient (as opposed to their IQ - idea taken from Bernabei's Top 20 Teachers book). Couros doesn't touch on these genuine problems for the modern teacher in this text.
I think my biggest problem with the book is Couros seems to say "Try this idea! Try that idea!" and then "Try this idea - it's the same as the previous two!" over and over. I understand the excitement about the possibilities afforded by the internet but as a tech teacher who gets his kids on devices much of every class I am currently more interested in how I can use tech or screens Less in my classroom and restore some old-school teaching methods emphasizing face-to-face interaction and the development of students' soft skills and Emotional Quotient (as opposed to their IQ - idea taken from Bernabei's Top 20 Teachers book). Couros doesn't touch on these genuine problems for the modern teacher in this text.
April 19, 2017
This books speaks to me like only have a handful of the hundreds of education books I've read. While innovation in my school and classroom are not new, I found myself tweeting and emailing my colleagues with great ideas that would build on what we are already doing. Mr. Couros answered the questions often posed to those pushing for innovation for all of the learners in schools. I often don't read an education book from cover to cover, rather pick and choose the chapter as menu items. Not this one. Hope to meet the author one day!
May 3, 2020
The innovative mindset is the growth mindset + creativity. The author describes in practical terms his experience with encouraging teachers to be creative in today's classroom. Couros was a principal in a school and developed 8 look fors in today's classroom: voice, choice, time for reflection, opportunities for innovation, critical thinkers, problem solvers/finders, self-assessment, and connected learning. Students are still taught the basics they need, however, are pushed beyond to apply them.
February 12, 2018
A good reminder to think about how and why you are doing the things you do....and how to encourage those around you to improve as well.
August 13, 2018
Love the approach the author promotes for innovation, leadership, and learning. I like that he offers a combination of big ideas to consider as well as concrete steps to implement.
June 24, 2020
Great read if you want to be a leader in your classroom, your school or as an administrator by becoming an innovator.
July 7, 2021
Found this book laying in my classroom and decided to read it which I’m glad I did. While it’s tailored to education I believe anybody in a leadership position could take something from this book
April 27, 2024
Average but good for beginners
There can be some assessment within the book
Some more research data
Too much of references rather than reflection
Could be better
There can be some assessment within the book
Some more research data
Too much of references rather than reflection
Could be better
April 5, 2020
In my opinion, this is a must read for all educators! So many great little nuggets and wonderful overall message about mindset and capacity building for students AND adults.
July 15, 2019
Really interesting read that pushes the boundaries and confinements that we find ourselves in as public school educators. I come out of the book rejuvenated and ready to explore ways to innovate 'inside the box'.
July 18, 2017
Highly recommended for the pioneers in education!
October 17, 2018
George Couros does an amazing job in this book of identifying how we should be teaching in our schools and what innovation looks like in classrooms. This is an inspiring read for any educator who wants to transform their teaching into a truly innovative experience.
June 10, 2017
One that I imagine I will go back to frequently. Side note: first book I read on my phone. Interesting experience.
May 20, 2019
I had the pleasure of seeing the author give a presentation. Very inspirational. He asks...would you like to be a student in your classroom? I want start innovating!
To find out more, read my blog post:
https://tinyurl.com/yyo4chfx
To find out more, read my blog post:
https://tinyurl.com/yyo4chfx
December 27, 2017
The Innovator's Mindset was one, if not the, best education books I have ever read! This borders on required reading for anyone who is interested in education. All too often, today, "innovation" serves as simply a buzz word. It sounds great. Authors write books and basically say "if you do this, this and this, then you will be innovative." That misses the entire point. Couros basically says, " here are my ideas for how I am innovative. Hopefully, they will inspire you." He also challenges some basic assumptions. Early in the book, he asks the question, " Are students learning from school, or in spite of it?" He talks about how school is formulated solely around a culture of compliance instead of creativity and learning.
He also readily admits that there is a space for the testing and other metrics. However, he makes clear that we can stifle innovation simply to score highly on tests. He also says his goal is not to go way out of the box but to find ways to be innovative in the box.
Again, I fully recommend this book and I truly believe all educators should read it. Some will get more than others, but everyone will get something helpful from this book.
He also readily admits that there is a space for the testing and other metrics. However, he makes clear that we can stifle innovation simply to score highly on tests. He also says his goal is not to go way out of the box but to find ways to be innovative in the box.
Again, I fully recommend this book and I truly believe all educators should read it. Some will get more than others, but everyone will get something helpful from this book.
August 15, 2019
Everyone in the education field (either a freshman in college or a seasoned educator) should read this book! There are many good quotes and amazing ideas to be shared. #innovatorsmindset
March 2, 2024
Energizing and action-provoking must-read for educators and learners everywhere
Notes: George Couros The innovators’ mindset
Authentic participatory and relevant learning experiences for unique population
Role is to inspire in students to develop skills and mindsets of learners
Teacher as designer and facilitator should evolve with resources, experiences and the support of a community
Culture that empowers innovation for optimal learning for students
YouTube O2: Be more dog
Bill ferriter from Raleigh: flickr and creative commons license Bit.du/imaudio
Instagram: Pvsgreenthumbs
Innovation needs to be new and better.
Innovation is not just difference (needs student input, interest and end goal for improvement)
School VS. Learning George couros
Notes: George Couros The innovators’ mindset
Authentic participatory and relevant learning experiences for unique population
Role is to inspire in students to develop skills and mindsets of learners
Teacher as designer and facilitator should evolve with resources, experiences and the support of a community
Culture that empowers innovation for optimal learning for students
YouTube O2: Be more dog
Bill ferriter from Raleigh: flickr and creative commons license Bit.du/imaudio
Instagram: Pvsgreenthumbs
Innovation needs to be new and better.
Innovation is not just difference (needs student input, interest and end goal for improvement)
School VS. Learning George couros
June 16, 2017
This goes hand-in-hand with Sheninger's Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing Times, and is absolutely essential reading for ALL school administrator's, in my opinion. It's inspiring for teachers if you have a culture of trust already in your school, and perhaps teachers can begin to affect change with a change of mindset, but if your administrators do not have the same mindset and haven't established a culture of trust, teachers will feel even more frustrated reading this book. It will make you want to start your own school...
March 18, 2016
The best educational book I have read to date!! George will challenge your thinking as an educator and share his ideas of how having an Innovator's Mindset can transform your teaching and your students thinking. This will require for teachers to have an open, growth mindset and to think about that might look in your classrooms. Highly recommend to all those in education, leaders, tech specialists, superintendents, teachers of all age levels. I am a huge fan of all that George brings to education.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews