Creativity versus Innovation:

Creativity means to have strong, unique ideas. Innovation is putting that creativity into action, and in-turn, innovation can change the way an individual and people think.

Teaching students such precepts can be challenging. As teachers, the best way to go about teaching innovation through creativity is leading by example. We must -whether we like it or not- constantly ratchet our knowledge and teaching output each year to ensure the students are getting the best of our lessons.

A few examples/ideas that work focus on technology and media; things with which student may already be savvy.
Utilize the students own creativity by letting the students decide how to carry out the implemented project. There is a potential that the students will feel somewhat 'out to sea'. A teacher may also paint him/herself into a corner with a complicated rubric apropos of planning and carrying out something the parents and staff could see as meaningful.

What can work to help focus the students' minds by including milestones throughout the lesson and have the students provide input to where they are at.
To add student agency to the creativity and add momentum to the project itself, have the students involved in rubric creation. Perhaps even individualize said rubric as the students begin to create each of their projects. This self-directed learning and assessment can focus self- reliance and even if the project completely fails, the students will have a reference point, or a springboard, to try again and build a better project in the future.

To create a basis of procedure is essential. With time, students will be able to set a basis or foundation from which they can grow. Creativity and innovation is not merely giving a student the tools to arrive at the outcome, it is forcing the students to find out what other ways/tools they can use to find that outcome.