Understanding Innovation

Most of the time we ourselves look for solutions to many of our day-to-day problems and at times we come out with a solution, which others have not thought over, even though all the ingredients used or needed to solve the problem existed beforehand for a long. To understand this point, note that, the wheel was invented long ago and has been in use for many purposes however it took almost 5000 years before someone thought to put it under bags so that luggage can be pulled with ease. This is an innovation. So a simple solution soon becomes useful for all and everyone adopts it. Therefore, innovation is a local phenomenon with a global impact. This is the power of innovation. All the countries presently emphasise innovation in every field because innovation is not bound by a discipline and is not restricted by educational inputs. 

  Out of box thinking and creativity are basic necessities for innovation. How differently one can think of solutions makes innovation a challenging but interesting process. It is not necessary that every innovative idea solves a big problem however it addresses a problem in a manner that makes others envy why this does not come to their mind.  This is what makes an innovator different from others.

  Makes no mistake that one person who gave an innovative idea for one problem can provide an innovative solution to all problems. This makes innovations person independent. It is necessary that one regularly search for innovative ideas and solutions. Deep association with a problem usually necessitates a simple and universally acceptable solution.

  Innovation has multidimensional aspects. It includes all products, processes and services. It encompasses social, economical, agricultural, environmental, governmental, technological, judicial, architectural and educational fields. Entertainment, food, clothing, furniture, communication, transportation, media, design and decoration are the fields, which evolve instantaneously by innovative ideas.  In short, innovation can be done and can positively affect every aspect of life.

  Innovation is not something new but is now prioritised as it helps in maximising the utilization of resources. In the modern world, the possibilities for innovations have increased manifold due to technological advancements, breaking of barriers of educational disciplines, overcoming boundaries between nations with the advent of the internet, automatic translation of text and speeches from one language to another, research collaborations and possibilities of one to one connection between any two individuals on planet earth and beyond.

  Exploring the world through Google Earth, designing products with 3-dimensions printing, helping the environmental cause with the use of alternate energy sources, using the internet for medical treatments, navigating traffic updates world across from Google map, accurate weather predictions and educating society and upcoming generations with help of hands-on-learning methodology are a glimpse of what innovation can do.

  It is important to note that innovation is very much different from the invention that may happen by chance. Innovation requires an innovative mindset that forces innovation.  The wheel was an invention but putting spokes in it and using of rubber tube over its rim were innovations.

 Welcome to the world of innovations.

 Prof. Pankaj Tyagi

Learn Innovative Pedagogy

Innovative pedagogy does not exist. It has to be developed by each individual. We suggest and practice the following four changes in pedagogy must for innovative teaching leading to simplifying learning.