Off the Assembly Line

Innovation. One of the most important, yet overused buzzwords of the last decade. It might just hold the keys to school transformation and deeper student learning, but what do we really mean when we say the word? And how can schools build it into their culture in a way that's sustainable? In this episode I talk with Eric Schneider, President and Co-Founder of InnovateK12 about accessing the transformative power of innovation in districts, schools, and classrooms. Innovate K12 starts with the premise that the greatest sources of innovation are the stakeholders closest to students: teachers, administrative staff, custodians, bus drivers, principals - and students themselves. When these stakeholders are equally engaged through a crowd-sourcing process, you see the magic happen.

Connect with Eric and InnovateK12:

Website: https://www.innovatek12.org/

Twitter: @innovatek12 and @EricS_Innovates

Chapter Guide:
0.00 - Intro to the episode
1:54 - What is innovation and why should schools care?
6:25 - Eric's journey as a catalyst for innovation in districts
8:35 - The InnovateK12 toolkit: crowd-sourcing innovation, human-centered design, and lean startup methodology
14:15 - How students are transferring lean startup practice to the classroom
18:00 - How this innovative practice has led to school-wide mental health solutions
24:55 - The cultural impact: empowerment, problem-solving, and agility
28:33 - Leadership is the critical piece of the puzzle
36:38 - The role of external partners in school innovation
39:17 - How is innovation different from "shiny object syndrome"?
41:46 - The one thing schools and districts can do to get started
44:16 - Who are you giving an A to Eric?
45:46 - Get connected with Eric and Innovate K12

If you liked what you heard, rate and review Off the Assembly Line

You can find more show details and resources at offtheassemblyline.co and connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or at rebeccaareed.com.

Learn more about the Teacher Mastermind at http://teachermastermind.com

Follow Off the Assembly Line
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instagram @offtheassemblyline_podcast
facebook @offtheassemblylinepodcast.

Special thanks to Scott Holmes for our intro music. You can check out more from him at https://scottholmesmusic.com/. 

Thanks for listening to Off the Assembly Line. Share it with someone who needs to hear it and then go make a ruckus!

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What do we do with all this data? In the last 20 years we've experienced a data revolution in K-12 education, but for most educators and parents, it's felt more like a deluge. When Angie Eilers found herself struggling to draw real insights from the complex data in her children's school reports, she knew she couldn't be the only one. And with a background in research, she knew a solution that translated complex data to actionable insights would be game changing for both educators and students. On this episode, Angie shares the founding story of UR Turn, an app that helps students take control of their educational journey, and we discuss what we can do to make data meaningful for students.

Connect with Angie and UR Turn:

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Website: https://www.urturn.org/

Episode Chapter Guide:
0.00 - Intro to the episode
1:03 - Angie's origin story
5:17 - The power of research
7:03 - The inspiration for UR Turn and data-knowledge gap
10:46 - What does UR Turn look like in action?
14:52 - When edtech is done right, it empowers educators
21:04 - How UR Turn is impacting student self-efficacy and agency
28:03 - How delivering data meaningfully can solve systemic challenges in the school system
31:42 - For UR Turn, the future is built partnerships
33:54 - What's the greatest data misconception you want to clear up?
37:33 - What does a healthy relationship with school data look like?
40:23 - Who are you giving an A to Angie?
43:02 - Get connected with Angie and UR Turn

If you liked what you heard, rate and review Off the Assembly Line

You can find more show details and resources at offtheassemblyline.co and connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or at rebeccaareed.com.

Learn more about the Teacher Mastermind at http://teachermastermind.com

Follow Off the Assembly Line
twitter @offassemblyline
instagram @offtheassemblyline_podcast
facebook @offtheassemblylinepodcast.

Special thanks to Scott Holmes for our intro music. You can check out more from him at https://scottholmesmusic.com/. 

Thanks for listening to Off the Assembly Line. Share it with someone who needs to hear it and then go make a ruckus!

Support the show

A little over 6 years ago, Sabari Raja heard a persistent and compelling question from educators, community leaders, and industry professionals in her city. They all wanted to know how to create meaningful and accessible industry connections in the classroom. The question led Sabari and co-founder Binu Thayamkery to create Nepris, which connects professionals of all kinds with K-12 classrooms (LIVE!) - no matter where they're located. Sabari shares insights on the industry-education connection, the importance of broad career exposure for student opportunity, and how she started Nepris.

Connect with Sabari and Nepris:

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://nepris.com

Twitter: @neprisapp

Facebook: @neprisapp

Episode Chapter Guide:
0.00 - Intro to the episode
1:15 - What does Nepris look like in action?
4:03 - Bringing teachers into the development of Nepris and getting orgs connected with the classroom
10:15 - The surprising impact in elementary classrooms
13:57 - The power of exposure for student opportunity and self-efficacy
21:59 - Easy ways for teachers and schools to get started
21:04 - How UR Turn is impacting student self-efficacy and agency
26:36 - What's in it for industry?
29:38 - Biggest misconceptions for educators and industry professionals
32:19 - Sabari's passion to level the playing field through the industry-education connection
36:32 - How can others follow Sabari's entrepreneurial lead and how do we start?
40:58 - Who are you giving an A to Angie?
43:28 - Get connected with Sabari and Nepris

If you liked what you heard, rate and review Off the Assembly Line

You can find more show details and resources at offtheassemblyline.co and connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or at rebeccaareed.com.

Learn more about the Teacher Mastermind at http://teachermastermind.com

Follow Off the Assembly Line
twitter @offassemblyline
instagram @offtheassemblyline_podcast
facebook @offtheassemblylinepodcast.

Special thanks to Scott Holmes for our intro music. You can check out more from him at https://scottholmesmusic.com/. 

Thanks for listening to Off the Assembly Line. Share it with someone who needs to hear it and then go make a ruckus!

Support the show

When Mike Yates jumped into the world of education as a teacher, he immediately started searching for the school model that would serve students most effectively, and empower them to drive their own learning. His search led him to Alpha, an innovative and non-traditional school that promises students and families three things: 1. Kids will love school, 2. Kids will learn twice as fast, and 3. Kids will learn life-skills. Mike and I talk about the power of authentic learning, pathways for educators who do education differently, with some light riffing on the future of education. 

Connect with Mike and Alpha:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-yates-338b5a19/

Twitter: @justmikeyates

Website: https://www.go-alpha.org/

Episode Chapter Guide:
0.00 - Intro to the episode
1:02 - What makes the Alpha school different?
4:11 - How adaptive learning software changes the game for both teachers and students
7:34 - Creating authentic learning experiences
10:48 - Why Mike decided to do education differently, and how others can to
14:47 - How can educators 'find the others' and join the important conversations happening in the education-real world intersection
17:48 - Some light riffing on the future of education
22:20 - How to create schools that kids love
25:13 - What can the traditional school model borrow from the Alpha model right now
30:03 - The most important thing school leaders can do
33:54 - Who are you giving an A to Mike?
36:24 - Get connected with Mike and Alpha
37:05 - Postscript: Mike tells us about Guide

If you liked what you heard, rate and review Off the Assembly Line

You can find more show details and resources at offtheassemblyline.co and connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or at rebeccaareed.com.

Learn more about the Teacher Mastermind at http://teachermastermind.com

Follow Off the Assembly Line
twitter @offassemblyline
instagram @offtheassemblyline_podcast
facebook @offtheassemblylinepodcast.

Special thanks to Scott Holmes for our intro music. You can check out more from him at https://scottholmesmusic.com/. 

Thanks for listening to Off the Assembly Line. Share it with someone who needs to hear it and then go make a ruckus!

Support the show

How do you change a system as entrenched as education? One disruption at a time. Join host Rebecca Reed weekly for possibility-sparking conversation with the educators and entrepreneurs bringing the future to education. Off the Assembly Line launches Monday, October 14. Hit subscribe to make sure you never miss an episode, and head to offtheassemblyline.co to add you voice to the conversation. 

Support the show