education innovation clusters
TRANSCRIPT
Education Innovation Clusters
#EdClusters
Cricket Fuller Project Director, Education Innovation Clusters @CricketFuller [email protected]
What we’ll cover
■ Origin and Definition of Education Innovation Clusters
■ Who Participates in an EdCluster
■ Why EdClusters Exist and What They Do
■ How Effective EdClusters Work
■ The Growth of EdClusters Around the Country
■ A 5-Point Maturity Scale for EdClusters
#EdClusters
#EdClusters
“Innovation Clusters” • “geographic concentrations of interconnected
companies and institutions in a particular field”
• clusters disproportionately foster productivity, innovation, and entrepreneurial activity in their regions
- Michael Porter
The power of networks
#EdClusters
What are Education Innovation Clusters?
…local communities of practice that bring together educators, entrepreneurs, funders, researchers, and other community stakeholders to support innovative teaching and learning in their region.
By working together, these partners form a network that is uniquely positioned to design, implement, iterate on, and disseminate breakthrough learning practices and tools.
#EdClusters
An Unprecedented Opportunity
We believe that as EdClusters evolve, they will have an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate the
We believe that EdClusters have an unprecedented opportunity to: • accelerate the pace of evidence-rich innovation,
• close the digital learning gap, and
• improve learning for all students.
#EdClusters
Scaling a MovementIn partnership with the U.S. Department of Education, DP is working to:
•catalyze, support, and scale individual EdClusters
•formalize a national network of these regional ecosystems
•continue convening stakeholders to share best practices
#EdClusters
We believe that as EdClusters evolve, they will have an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate the
#EdClusters
Education Innovation Cluster Participants
Entrepreneurs
Community Groups
Researchers & Higher Ed
Educators
Entrepreneurs
Funders & Investors
State & Local
Government
#EdClusters
Community Groups
Researchers & Higher Ed
Educators
Entrepreneurs
Funders & Investors
State & Local
Government
#EdClusters
“What kinds of organizations participate in your cluster?”
#EdClusters
The Why & What of EdClusters Why do clusters form?
• Close the achievement gap
• Bridge the digital learning divide
• Remake learning
• Prepare students for 21st Century
• Revitalize the local economy
What do clusters do?
• Incubate and pilot ed tech
• Conduct research on product efficacy
• Scale Maker education & communities
• Support personalized/blended learning
• Launch computer science initiatives
• Spur workforce development
#EdClusters
An Ecosystem that Supports Brand agnostic: Education Innovation Clusters and their partners have
multiple affiliations and may participate in a range of branded “networks”
Education Innovation Cluster
The foundational ecosystem that supports participation in these initiatives
#EdClusters
The How: Elements of Effective EdClustersEngaged Stakeholders
with Shared Vision Diverse, representative participation
that is aligned around impact and community needs
Supportive Infrastructure Governance and organizational models
that fit the needs of participants and define a harbormaster role
#EdClusters
The How: Elements of effective EdClusters
Compelling Communications Storytelling content and tactics that
reach varied audiences
Sustainable Operations Funding and operational models that
leverage a range of assets, resources, and human capital
#EdClusters15
2012: 4 “Clusters”…
#EdClusters15
2014: Pittsburgh Convening…
#EdClusters15
2015: Chicago and beyond…
#EdClusters
5-Point Maturity Scale
Stage 0: Established
Interest • Early
conversations• Potential
partners identified
Stage 1: Nascent Cluster
• Partners identified
• Central body able to take responsibility
Stage 2: Planning Cluster
• Partners, central body committed
• Strategic plan in development
Stage 3: Operational
Cluster • Funding• Partners run
programs• Completed
strategic plan
Stage 4: Mature Cluster
• Flourishing• Unsolicited
partners join• Central body
less important
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