Innovation

Innovation encompasses experimentation, creation, imagination, risk, and entrepreneurship. It involves investigating challenges, typically searching for a method, opportunity, idea or product/service where none existed before, or using something in a way it has never been used.

Sketch of a dragonfly on a green gradient background

Each core competency is divided into three levels:

Involved students know the indicator or the criteria for demonstrating it. They can talk about it, write about it, describe it or explain it.
Engaged students can perform or demonstrate the indicator or criteria; that is, they can do it.
Leading students are innovating, extending, transforming, showing initiative, integrating, or collaborating.

Below are indicators and examples of competency at each level.

Involved-level Competency

Digital Badge for Involved-level Innovation

Competency Indicators

How might someone demonstrate this competency?

Recognizes forms of experimentation, innovation, and entrepreneurship
Explains how to identify needs and engage new and existing markets
Discusses the impact of creativity and imagination on innovation
Defines sustainability and explains its relationship to innovation
Recognizes the role of risk and uncertainty in entrepreneurship

Examples

What are some specific ways this competency might be demonstrated?

Takes advantage of college-wide opportunities such as AgENT, Sphere, and student associations
Completes needs assessment or background research for a project
Discusses the impact of innovation in their field
Discusses how innovation may change future industry practices
Reports on both failed and successful attempts at innovation