A Small Rebellion: How to Catalyze Innovation Through Self Actualization

摘要

How do you teach creativity? In this paper, we explore ways to create an environment in which students do more than learn - they innovate. The Non-hierarchically Organized Design Engineering (NODE) model creates a new kind of faculty community one that is collaborative and guided by humanistic values and one that is able to create the conditions for students to self-actualize i.e., develop autonomy, self-awareness, and self-acceptance. And once they have acquired those attributes, they will have the freedom and the courage to innovate, be that in a prototyping exercise or in their personal lives. Students who are self-actualized will be more creative, more fulfilled in their work, and in the rest of their lives. They will have the ability to achieve peak experiences more frequently and live with a sense of wonder.