I think Steve Jobs, who famously did not go to Stanford (nor actually complete coursework at Reed College where he enrolled) hit on some key ideas concerning intelligence and what may lead to real learning and innovation. He believed that intelligence was in part the ability to make connections between ideas and practices that may not be obvious. He further suggested, strongly, that one of the best things someone can do in order to develop those capacities is to go out and have loads of different experiences. He reasoned that if innovation was part of what you’re after, then having the same experiences as everyone else will just lead to all the already predicable places and thoughts.

Recently Stanford University published a study that showed the importance of letting students get involved with experimenting with projects and having real experiences with the subjects of what your studying, before ever reading a text about it, or even watching videos beforehand.

A new study from the Stanford Graduate School of Education flips upside down the notion that students learn best by first independently reading texts or watching online videos before coming to class to engage in hands-on projects. Studying a particular lesson, the Stanford researchers showed that when the order was reversed, students’ performances improved substantially.

Whatever discipline you’re teaching; reading, writing, science or social studies, the more and varied experimentation and hands-on experiences you and your students have, the more likely you can make connections between ideas, and the more possible it will be for you to come up with novel solutions to problems. Learn to bake bread, go for hikes, learn to use a navigation device (maps included) paint, visit a third world country and see real poverty (some of this is for upcoming college and grad students), listen to varied music or better yet, learn to play an instrument.

Here’s a link to more info on the Stanford Study, published early this summer.

Here’s a link to seven speeches by Steve Jobs, some of which concern innovation and intellignce.