Keith Richards and mLearning (Part 4/4 on Innovation and collaboration)

This week we wrap up our four part series on innovation. Wikipedia defines Innovation as: a creation of better or more effective products, processes, services, technologies, or ideas that are accepted by markets, governments, and society. Innovation differs from invention in that innovation refers to the use of a new idea or method, whereas invention refers more directly to the creation of the idea or method itself.

In my Innovation for Dummies post, we discussed the power of music as a creative art form how it can transform both the listener and the musician playing the song.

In the case of Keith Richards (The Rolling Stones legendary guitarist) it is his ability to pull off several iconic classic rock guitar riffs with style and ease. When asked how he remembers all the chord progressions from The Stones vast catalog ….he responds “I don’t get caught up in memorizing songs – it is more of a feel – I let my fingers do the walking – I just trust my instincts and try to never play the same song exactly the same….that would be awfully dreadful.”

If Keith is laid back and loose – then a modern day opposite would be the Canadian power trio of Rush. Geddy Lee, Neil Peart and Alex Lifeson are fanatical about preparation and precision. Individually the band practice weeks on end prior to hunkering down as team – then head out on tour to ensure they maintain an exceptional high standard. Both approaches get to the same end point but take completely different paths to get there. The common thread between them is a commitment to intimately focus on bettering their craft while fine tune their approach through innovation and collaboration.

My experience of learning in the classroom (70’s – 90’s) is much different that of my six year old daughter. At the core we still need teachers who are inspired to transform lives and administrators who can provide a safe productive environment to learn. It is critical that we also embrace tools that can grow with the needs of learners who are increasingly mobile, creative, and collaborative as part of their personal learning experience.

We need more innovators like Thomas Suearez, a 12-year-old founder of CarrotCorp, an iPhone application development company, recently presented at a TEDx idea-sharing conference in Manhattan Beach, Calif., lightheartedly informing the crowd about his project to help kids create smartphone software.

We need more dreamers like Ken Robertson, creating an education system that nurtures creativity.

We need more thinkers, dreamers and doers who can revolutionize lifelong learning through innovation.

Are you up for the challenge?