Innovate Inside the Box

Empowering Learners Through UDL and the Innovator's Mindset

By: George Couros, Katie Novak

Narrated by: George Couros, Katie Novak

Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

The answer to creating innovative teaching and learning opportunities lies within you.

Every educator faces constraints — from budget restrictions to predetermined curriculum to “one-size-fits-all” mandatory assessments. The question is, how can you, as a teacher or administrator, ensure that regulations and limitations don’t impede authentic learning?

In Innovate Inside the Box, George Couros and Katie Novak provide informed insight on creating purposeful learning opportunities for all students. By combining the power of the innovator's mindset and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), they empower educators to create opportunities that will benefit every learner. Couros and Novak show you how to....

• Leverage the core of innovative teaching and learning with a focus on developing meaningful relationships.
• Develop the eight characteristics of the innovator’s mindset in your students—and yourself.
• Use UDL to proactively design learning experiences that foster voice and choice while addressing barriers that impede learning.
• Create learner-driven, evidence-informed learning experiences that provide all students with options and choices to maximize success.

“If you’re looking to bring creativity to student learning amid all the constraints educators face, this is the book for you.” (Daniel Pink, author of Drive)

“No one articulates a more compelling, a more urgent, or a more motivating vision of education — for both teachers and their students — than George Couros. No one articulates how that vision can be reached — for every student and teacher — more daringly, more practically, and more inclusively, than Katie Novak. Having them together in one book not only helps us reimagine the goals and practices of education, it reminds us of why we ever wanted to be teachers at all.” (David Rose, PhD, CAST's cofounder and chief education officer, emeritus)

“An incredible book! Innovate Inside the Box speaks to educators who are the change agents in their sphere of influence.” (Sarah Thomas, PhD, founder of EduMatch)

“George and Katie's combined talents as spectacular storytellers drive this book. You will feel like you are flying through it and then realize how deeply you are learning.” (Loui Lord Nelson, PhD, author of Design and Deliver, and podcast host of UDL in 15 Minutes)

©2019 Couros Publications, Ltd, Katie Novak (P)2020 Impress, LP.

I Really, Really Liked It

I know you aren't supposed to use bland adverbs in writing, but I really, really liked this book. It made me laugh at times, even the Seinfeld reference towards the end. It challenged my thinking in ways that will definitely require further referencing in the future. From pretending the power goes out to save children from seeing well, a band with the same name as fill in the blank ___ on an internet search to creating a "Failure Resume", this book runs the gamet on what it truly means to be innovative. The ending thoughts on the importance of taking care of yourself were also very beneficial (but there I go with more bland aderbs again). Check it out, it's definitely a book to chew on a while, just maybe not with shrimp - Lol.

Excited to share with my staff!

Can't wait to have my teams read this book! I know it will spark great conversations and collaboration with the end goal of "innovating inside our box". :)

Inspiring Listen

The authors, George Couros and Katie Novak sharing their words in their voices is even more inspiring than the actual read! There is something about hearing the passion in their voices that gives me that "compelling reason!" So excited that the audio version is finally out and I know that I will be listening and re-listening often because it is so packed with ideas and motivating thoughts...thank you to everyone who made this audiobook possible! I spent some time today sitting with my printed copy and making even more notes as I hear the authors read it aloud; closed the books with so many more ideas to bring to my school site and fellow learners. I know you are all doing such important work and I hope that many more educators and leaders, in general, hear your words and "lead from where 'they' are!"

Relatable teaching strategies and stories

Most of the book speaks truth to the teaching in the 21st century. I disagree with limiting technology, for technological tools is at the center of learning. Otherwise, I highly recommend this audible book.