We’re On A Journey To Find Out What Innovative
Learning Looks Like (in 🇨🇦) and we’re committed to sharing our inspiration along the way.

At some point, people started thinking about “fixing schools” and schools became the focus of attention. School funding was tied to their attendance rate, School rankings was a product of their test scores, and School statistics was the measure of a school’s success. Innovative learning starts by asking “Why does school exist?”. It focuses on the learner, and their need for community, for belonging, and for purpose. With those 3 basic human needs met, the kids can pretty much teach themselves.

Teachers who are innovating learning tend to ditch those lesson plans and, instead, focus on the curricular learning objectives by co-creating them with students. This shift promotes a more personalized and relevant learning experience, empowering students to take ownership of their education. Teachers act as facilitators, guiding learners in developing skills and knowledge tailored to their interests and needs, making education more dynamic, collaborative, and student-centered.

Teachers no longer need to play the role of subject matter experts or the all-knowing adult. Students want to find the answers themselves, using all the resources available in today's world. And they want to show their learning in ways most adults would never think of. Instead, the role of teachers is to ask questions, guide students towards multiple perspectives, and find ways to sponsor students as they explore and showcase their learning.

Many adults know the frustration of having meaningless tasks forced upon us, leading to a lack of interest and motivation. Sadly, traditional education does the same to students (and teachers). Innovative learning often includes long, purposeful projects grounded in reality and community. Students choose how to showcase their learning, replacing busy work and aligning with what students naturally want to do. This shift transforms education into a more engaging and meaningful experience.

There was a time when work meant focusing on a single task and skill, with rewards for efficiency. Today, work and life demand broad skill sets and the ability to dive deep when needed. We must understand multiple perspectives, subject areas, and be collaborative. Innovative learning often integrates many subjects into projects that require a range of skills, allowing students to explore and learn multiple areas together.

Everyone knows the frustration of being in a state of flow, deeply focused, and then being rudely interrupted. Traditional education imposes this disruption on teachers and students multiple times a day. Fortunately, innovative learning includes a common shift from rigid time blocks to flexible schedules. This change allows for deeper engagement, creativity, and productivity, fostering a more natural and effective learning environment.