Innovation, the internet, new frontiers in pedagogy, philanthropy and the value of word of mouth marketing. In a busy fortnight that was thought provoking and challenging, it was stimulating to hear from a range of speakers with a diversity of views as we managed to dodge the ash cloud that plagued fellow travellers. We heard from Charles Leadbeater, a leader in social innovation and author of Learning from the Extremes at the Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI ),  Valerie Hannon , Director of the Innovation Unit (UK) and Donna Bridge, from East Kalgoorlie Primary School at the Australian Primary Principals Assocation Conference, and Rikki Andrews at Philanthropy Australia. Finally it was good to catch up with clients and colleagues at Uni SA for Associate Professor Jenni Romaniuk's Knowledge Works seminar on Word-of-Mouth Marketing, social networking and the internet.

So this week we've tried to distill some of those ideas and thoughts into reflections on innovation, social connection and the changing face of schools. As a final treat we offer a light sprinkling of Guns N' Roses reinvented through the beauty and power of two cellists. As always if you like what you've read why not Forward to a Friend ?

How do we harness the power of multiple minds, the desire to do great work and the capacity of others to share their good fortune? This was the question posed by Charles Leadbeater which resulted in some vigorous debate amongst attendees at the RiAus on a cold Saturday morning. How do we bring those who are marginalised into the conversation? Can we achieve social inclusion by creating a 'third space', a collaborative community? And does that space already exist? It was then helpful to attend the Grant Makers workshop in Melbourne conducted by Philanthropy Australia and learn how many opportunities exist to match desire with need.

“Do not confine your children to your own learning; for they were born in another time." This was the message from Valerie Hannon who made some interesting observations about the progress developing countries are making in adapting pedagogical practice to circumstance and culture.We liked the video she shared on 21st Century Education.

Donna Bridge made a similiar point when talking about the importance of listening to her community from parents to students to staff and how she utilised a process called Engoori to effect great change at East Kalgoorlie Primary School, one which now identifies as being Deadly and Smart. Engoori from Mithaka country in South-west Queensland requires deep listening and reflection coupled with collective sense-making and decision-making. We particularly liked the positive focus of examining 'Who are we?' and 'How should we be doing things?' rather than the more usual deficit form of thinking such as 'What is wrong?'.

And now for something completely different - two cellos, a city street, an 80s rock classic re-interpreted. Close the door, settle in, turn the sound up and enjoy.....