At EDLAB, we define innovation as the intentional process of creating new ideas and practices to address educational needs and create new opportunities in teaching and learning. Innovation can be about educational methods and practices, technology, learning environments and human interactions.

 What is Innovation?

To be innovative is to explore and experiment, to have an open mind and learn from successes and failures. Innovation is driven by curiosity and the desire to do things even better than they are done now. At EDLAB, we see innovation as a process that is ongoing and happens at various levels.

Innovation is ongoing because it is a mindset rather than a single accomplishment. We reflect on what we do, we look for new perspectives and opportunities, and we learn from the new ideas and practices we explore and try out.

Innovation happens at various levels: what is new for one person may not be new to others. From the perspective of those who teach at UM, innovation may range from:

• I have never done this before, to
  • no one at my faculty has ever done this before, to
    • no one at UM has ever done this before, to
      • no one in the field of education has ever done this before.

At EDLAB we see innovation as an expression of curiosity and a source of inspiration, a way of maintaining a high quality of education for our students by actively engaging the educators.

Conditions for Innovation

EDLAB fosters the UM vision of student-centred, active learning. We provide a set of conditions necessary to ensure continuity and facilitate innovation at all levels.

• We offer a creative space that is accessible to all those who want to collaborate and explore new possibilities in education, where we share successes and where failure is perceived as a form of feedback and a firm basis for learning.
• We safeguard sustainability by providing support in the process of adopting and implementing new ideas and practices, generating backing for innovative projects across UM, offering continuing professional development and providing expertise and connecting experts across the UM teaching and learning community.
• We provide a solid foundation for innovation by nurturing the scholarly perspective, connecting research with practice and researchers with practitioners. We offer grants and support research aimed at deepening our shared understanding and broadening our scope.

These three core conditions for innovation are at the heart of everything we do at EDLAB. Through our various activities, we connect people and their expertise, develop new knowledge, and support practical implementation.

EDLAB provides educational expertise, networking opportunities and professional services for the UM teaching and learning community. We fulfil three main roles:

• Knowledge creation and dissemination
• UM community building and engagement
• Professional support for UM teaching staff

EDLAB initiates projects, collaborates with faculty educational hubs, and responds to ad hoc queries and opportunities. Our expertise focuses on five main areas:

• Professional Development Training Activities
• Innovation & Educational Development
• Excellence Education
• Educational Research
• Education & ICT (EDICT)