EXTENDED WORKSHOP

Expediting and Sustaining Change: Diffusing innovation in dynamic educational settings

International schools can be defined as dynamic, fast paced, nimble learning environments that are on the forefront of K-12 educational innovation. No where is this more true than in the East Asia region where schools are well resourced and often looking for ways to differentiate themselves in the highly competitive global educational marketplace. All too often though, International schools wanting to remain relevant adopt innovations only to see them lose momentum and evanesce. This session will equip educators, coaches and school administrators with a toolkit for efficiently examining and diffusing innovations within their schools. Based on recent research done in East Asian international schools, recent case studies involving change management, and leading research in the field of innovation diffusion theories and opinion leadership, this workshop aims to not only inform participants but also equip educators, coaches and school administrators with a best practice toolkit for efficiently diffusing innovations within their schools.

This session will aims to answer common questions about innovation including:

  • What is innovation in education?
  • How do innovations enter and diffuse within educational settings?
  • What are some identifiable characteristics of innovation in a school?
  • What are some identifiable characteristics of an ‘innovative’ educator/individual?
  • What is the role of school leadership, mid-level leadership (coaches), and teachers’ roles in diffusing innovations?
  • What are some actionable steps toward diffusing innovations in dynamic organizational settings?
  • How can we expedite the time to adoption and institutionalization of innovations?