Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Dean of Arts and Sciences Karen Oates, who also served as former deputy director for undergraduate education at the National Science Foundation, studies innovation and how people and groups achieve it. In this Hangout, she speaks with managing editor Fenella Saunders about fostering innovation in others, particularly asking 'how professors can foster atmospheres of deep learning so that students can be more innovative?'

A Storify of the Tweets detailing the discussion is shown below.

The Science of Innovation and Deep Learning

What is innovation, really? How do people and groups achieve it? How can professors foster atmospheres of deep learning so that students can be more innovative? Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecturer Karen Oates of Worcester Polytechnic Institute studies innovation.

1. 

   Today's #AmSciGHO speaker is Karen Oates, dean of Arts & Sciences at @WPI  http://www.wpi.edu/academics/facultydir/kko.html … pic.twitter.com/ul9t62XDwv

   American Scientist@AmSciMag

   ·

   Mon, Nov 16 2015 20:25:13

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2. 

   American Scientist@AmSciMag

   Our #AmSciGHO speaker, Dr. Karen Oates of @WPI, conducts faculty development workshops nationally.  https://plus.google.com/u/1/events/c3q3iu1ac6qjm4djf8ii2vcsn10 …

   Mon, Nov 16 2015 20:28:15

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3. ---

4. Innovation defined and discussed:
5. 

   American Scientist@AmSciMag

   "Innovation:" a new way of looking at something that has value and function --Dr. Karen Oates #AmSciGHO

   Mon, Nov 16 2015 20:34:49

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6. 

   American Scientist@AmSciMag

   How can colleges/universities have classrooms, labs that look different to create new kinds of learning environments? -Dr. Oates #AmSciGHO

   Mon, Nov 16 2015 20:36:44

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7. 

   American Scientist@AmSciMag

   It was through her federal government work that Dr. Oates became interested in creating innovative environments --Dr. Oates #AmSciGHO

   Mon, Nov 16 2015 20:37:46

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8. 

   American Scientist@AmSciMag

   For innovation, need divergent thinking ("What are all the possibilities") and convergent thinking ("what things have value?") #AmSciGHO

   Mon, Nov 16 2015 20:41:17

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9. ---

10. On making classrooms uncomfortable places:
11. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    Motivation, free will important for innovative thinking. May make teachers uncomfortable; students have more control --Dr. Oates #AmsciGHO

    Mon, Nov 16 2015 20:42:17

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12. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    Most daring thing Dr. Oates did in her classroom was only write half the syllabus, let students write the other half --Dr. Oates, #AmSciGHO

    Mon, Nov 16 2015 20:42:43

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13. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    "Form follows function" if teachers don't give motivation, free will, won't get innovative functions from students. -Dr. Oates #AmSciGHO

    Mon, Nov 16 2015 20:43:59

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14. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    Let classrooms be uncomfortable so students don't have everything in front of them so they have to solve problems. -Dr. Oates #AmSciGHO

    Mon, Nov 16 2015 20:45:46

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15. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    It's important to form diverse teams in classrooms so students can learn from each other, take risks -Dr. Oates #AmSciGHO

    Mon, Nov 16 2015 20:48:06

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16. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    Let students practice innovation: Freedom to do things differently without high risks, use intrinsic motivations -Dr. Oates #AmsciGHO

    Mon, Nov 16 2015 20:50:14

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17. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    Creating environments for innovation can apply to industry, not just classrooms. -Dr. Oates #AmSCiGHo

    Mon, Nov 16 2015 20:52:06

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18. ---

19. Diversity matters:
20. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    Creating teams of people with different skill sets or different generations helps people see things in a new way -Dr. Oates #AmSciGHO

    Mon, Nov 16 2015 20:53:06

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21. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    Let people explore in nature or with materials to practice new ways of thinking -Dr. Oates #AmSciGHO

    Mon, Nov 16 2015 20:55:25

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22. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    Innovation, free will, and motivating students can improve classrooms. Hard to do if teaching for standardized tests -Dr. Oates #AmSciGHO

    Mon, Nov 16 2015 20:57:05

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23. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    We have to spend more time on promoting thinking versus teaching to a test if we want innovative thinking in students --Dr. Oates #AmSCiGHO

    Mon, Nov 16 2015 20:59:38

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24. 

    We need to develop critical thinking skills in students --Dr. Oates #AmSciGHO  https://plus.google.com/u/1/events/c3q3iu1ac6qjm4djf8ii2vcsn10 … pic.twitter.com/0nkheUcCyQ

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    ·

    Mon, Nov 16 2015 21:01:59

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25. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    Universities have responsibility to foster innovative thinking, but responsibilities for teachers make it hard --Dr. Oates #AmSciGHO

    Mon, Nov 16 2015 21:07:47

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26. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    Diversity in the people who do science is directly related to the ability for innovative thinking in science --Dr. Oates #AmSciGHO

    Mon, Nov 16 2015 21:11:01

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27. ---

28. Regarding deep learning:
29. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    Think about where students live, how they live, problems in their lives, and give them problems to solve -Dr. Oates #AmSciGHO #innovation

    Mon, Nov 16 2015 21:13:04

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30. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    Show students a real-world problem, go see the problem or draw it, put them in teams to help solve problems. --Dr. Oates #AmSciGHO

    Mon, Nov 16 2015 21:15:25

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31. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    Say "what if" to students so they think new things, or challenge students with debate-style environments --Dr. Oates #AmSciGHO #innovation

    Mon, Nov 16 2015 21:21:26

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32. 

    Jamie Vernon@JLVernonPhD

    Great stuff! Follow now.  https://twitter.com/AmSciMag/status/666351338490490880 …

    Mon, Nov 16 2015 21:30:31

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33. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    For deep learning: Understand what students already know. Give them theory and opportunities to practice -Dr. Oates #AmSciGHO

    Mon, Nov 16 2015 21:33:12

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34. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    Deep learning has to be meaningful. "If it has no meaning to that student, it's not going to go very deep." --Dr. Oates #AmSciGHO

    Mon, Nov 16 2015 21:34:11

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35. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    Teachers, know how your students see themselves as learners. Help them see themselves as scientists, as innovators. --Dr. Oates #AmSciGHO

    Mon, Nov 16 2015 21:36:52

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36. ---

37. 

    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders

    If you missed the #AmSciGHO on the science of innovation and deep learning, you can watch it here.  https://twitter.com/AmSciMag/status/666370315337928704 …

    Mon, Nov 16 2015 21:44:28

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