NC State University Institute for Emerging Issues: Collaboration Platform

An excerpt from “The Threat of the Creativity Economy"
See more at http://tinyurl.com/ycffv9a

Schools that are under funded are unlikely to expand and enhance. And many of the most talented, creative teachers will not remain teachers when they are tragically underpaid. A 10-year veteran NC public school teacher makes less than $39,000 per year. (See more http://tinyurl.com/yz6hzb6) Nationwide 50% of teachers leave the profession within five years because of low pay and poor working conditions. (See more http://www.teachersalaryinfo.com/)

The best teachers are themselves right brain, creative thinkers who infuse the classroom with collaboration, play and creative learning. They do not work from a prescribed work plan but craft their own divergent, creative classroom strategies for myriad student learning levels. These teachers are “design thinkers" and their rewards come from the students, not the pay. But the creative skills these teachers possess will be so highly valued in the Creativity Economy that businesses will pay a premium for them. How long will these teachers be able to withstand the temptation to move on? From where will our next generation of creative teachers come? And what can we do to drive public policy to right this wrong?

This morning I spoke with folks from the Piedmont Triad Partnership about the lessons learned from the Emerging Issues Forum. The main takeaway from the discussion was the need for communication assistance on why creativity and innovation are the most important strategies for economic development in the region over the next twenty years. The creative economy employs more people than the banking industry but is not seen on a level playing field. How can communication help business leaders and community leaders understand why creativity and design thinking is such an imperative?

My favorite part of the IEI Forum had little to do with the topic. When Secretary Duncan asked for the name and contact info for the teacher in the audience so that he could follow up with her, my faith in government was restored.

Even more so when I heard he called her personally the next day.

A week later, I'm still struck by the fact that "creativity," unlike previous IEI forums, is a departure from the usual run of themes.

Specifically, creativity isn't about a challenge like education, transportation or health care. It's a solution. We don't have to improve creativity; we have to apply it.

A favorite idea from Daniel Pink:

A picture might be worth a 1,000 words, but a metaphor is worth 1,000 pictures.

Is ‘Exovation’ of Education Necessary? Thoughts from 25th Annual Emerging Issues Forum. http://bit.ly/bceYXS:

A term mentioned during the second day of the Emerging Issues Forum was “exovation" – which essentially means getting rid of prevailing products and processes that don’t work. There is profound insight here in relation to business, but even more so for education since there are so many mainstay philosophies, activities, and traditions in our current education system that take focus away from the creation of novelty and new value.

Perhaps more focus should be placed on exovation in education in order to get rid of the obstacles that prevent innovation and creativity from actually happening.

In response to IEI's question "What was your favorite moment at the Forum?" J. Nunnely responds:

mine=Bill Strickland. Wow, what an inspirational story!

On Twitter, Chase Matson notes:

Our state's climate is ripe for innovation & these collaborative efforts are a crucial catalyst!

On Twitter: Greg Flynn from BlueNC.com:

My left brain is arguing with my right brain. At least they're talking. That's some progress. #iei2010

From Brian Francis on Twitter:

1. Reviewing my notes from emerging issues forum, which are aka the #iei2010 hashtag stream. Over 1300 tweets capturing speakers thoughts.

2. Realizing that social media could dramatically change learning through collective note taking. Seeing things I missed before.

Brian's blog: http://briandfrancis.wordpress.com/

From the NCSU State of Business Blog titled: Turning Brain Power Into Economic Power:

the important content for me, and the majority of the content, was the importance of creative approaches in developing – new term for me – design thinking. Apparently, this is the confluence of analytical thinking, business thinking, and creative thinking. It has given me a shape, a clarity, for what we mean by innovation as a competitive advantage. Folks, it’s no longer about replicating the best practice; it’s about creating the new practice.

So, I’m committed to a fresh look at everything… my thinking, the way we do business at IES, how I look at cases on the licensure board, etc. For that reason, I am delighted to be attending the Innovation Institute at the McColl Center of the Visual Arts in Charlotte. It is a 12-week program where artists teach business executives how to find their creative process. I’m only a month into it, so stay tuned for my final report…

Innovation Institute: http://www.innovationatmccoll.org/

NCTC Executive Director Angie Hay's blog on the Emerging Issues Forum. http://bit.ly/5vwCXG

What was so amazing was that we (the few arts people in attendance) were able to watch as OUR argument was made FOR us, to and by the exact people we are always fighting to reach. To hear Daniel Pink, Bill Strickland, Arne Duncan and others telling the business community and legislature about the importance of Arts Education was extraordinary! I left inspired by their words and energized by the possibilities that lie ahead. This gathering has laid the ground work for us. It’s up to us to keep the ball rolling, but for once and FINALLY, we won’t be the only ones playing the game.

Chris Grams at Opensource.com reflects on IEI 2010 and asks some great questions http://tinyurl.com/yl4rgc8:

So today I ask you what may seem to be a simple question:

Is the traditional business world at war with creativity? Meaning:

* Why do creative, original ideas face so many challenges seeing the light of day and then surviving in traditional organizations?
* How can our organizations change so that rather than people who are good at “playing the game" always winning, the best ideas can win more often? Meritocracy in action and all that.
* And finally, what could us open source-minded folks teach the traditional business world? How could we help more companies innovate the open source way?

Let's give peace a chance, man. How do we end the war and get the right and left brains in our businesses on a more innovative path?

From the Science in the Triangle Blog:

"Ideas Dislike Organizational Charts"

Bonuses, patents & org charts hinder flow of creative juices. Now what? http://bit.ly/byhBkx