Leatherstocking keynote

Future of Learning Technologies: Putting it in its placeStephen AbramLeatherstocking Conference: Vernon NYNov. 19, 2015

2

These are Millennials

My son: Zachary

Nota BeneYou’re dealing with post-millennials and they’re very differentAnd the same

Why Invest 60 minutes with Me? Librarian Technology and Digital Education Futurist Author, researcher, teacher, professor,

board member, start-ups, founder, etc. Learning object designer (MBA, Law, K-12,

Higher-Ed, corporate, etc.) SchoolRooms, eTextBooks, eBooks, Online

learning, MOOCs, Databases, Web, School& Library Culture

The Big PictureChange is just starting to increaseThe education sector is a target (follow the money)

Student vs. Learner

Education vs. Learning

Credits vs. Lifelong Skills

School Librarians Faculty …Teachers Curriculum Leaders Administration Whole School High Impact

21st Century LearningBased on research, demographics and need

This isn’t a fad – whether politics renames it or not.

Critical Thinking

What is critical thinking? “Critical thinking is that mode of thinking — about

any subject, content, or problem — in which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing it. Critical thinking is self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It presupposes assent to rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem-solving abilities, as well as a commitment to overcome our native egocentrism and sociocentrism.”

http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/our-concept-of-critical-thinking/411

What is creative thinking? A way of looking at problems or situations

from a fresh perspective that suggests unorthodox solutions (which may look unsettling at first). Creative thinking can be stimulated both by an unstructured process such as brainstorming, and by a structured process such as lateral thinking.

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/creative-thinking.html#ixzz2ZbaI9BaK

What is creative thinking? Creativity is a phenomenon whereby

something new and valuable is created (such as an idea, a joke, a literary work, a painting or musical composition, a solution, an invention etc.). It is also the qualitative impetus behind any given act of creation, and it is generally perceived to be associated with intelligence and cognition.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creativity

STEM, STEAM and the real issueNational competitivenessSilly focus on manufacturing and 20th Century measurements (GDP)

Beyond 3R’s3R’s are solidified by Grade 4 at the latest and then the interventions happenBeyond grade 4 we build thinkers, creators, and build on their natural talents – to each his/her own

Real IssuesTechnologyScalabilityMultiple intelligences / learning stylesCosts and impactTrainingAlignmentEquity

Real IssuesStudents – boys and girlsEngagement – dropouts, fun, boredom.SuccessEmployment and workplace or Higher-Ed readiness

Real IssuesStaff colleaguesIntroduction of technology in a stressful workplace with multiple demandsAgingLearning CurveTech readinessTeamwork preparedness versus classroom sovereignty

Changing Learners Increased IQ Genetics and Learning Styles Gender issues and Developmental

Differences Boys and Girls Reading is Up… Brain development –reasoning skills and

frontal lobe Demographics and diversity Games, gamification, lead . . .

Retail Sales Down?

Teen Reading Down?

Titles Down?

Circulation Down?

Reading Down?

NO

NO

NO

NO

NO

Focus on the REAL IssuesNot BOOKS! The experience

Changing Education Flipped classroom E-Textbooks and coursepacks eLearning and digital learning environments

are proven successes Online high schools rising MOOCs Distance education Learning modules Blended learning

Impact Studies

150+ studies Dr. Keith Curry-Lance (CO) Dr. Ken Haycock (USC, UBC, SJSU) Dr. Ross Todd (Rutgers) Dr. Steve Krashen (UCLA) Dr. David Loertscher (SJSU) Worldwide and repeatedly

Do school libraries make a difference? Yes. Simply yes and a big one. Standardized testing scores Second only to a parent reading to you. Public Library partnerships Summer reading, story hours, etc. Top and bottom of class Equity Digital/hybrid Strategy Leadership

Special Skills and ToolsAddressing:Learning differencesDisability spectrum is about different abilities not disabilitiesBehavioural differencesIntelligence- especially top and challenged learners

At their fingertips Consortial access at great savings effectiveness

– quality, real life search, structured ReadSpeak Font size Lexiles and search Search and Find Quality resources – primary secondary and

tertiary sources, non fiction, active collection Specialized targeted programs Fluid formats (e.g. for reading and learning

issues)

Research and Network Effects Digital agnosticism NYPL,BPL, QBPL, NYDOE Vendor agnosticism (vs. Apple or Google

Education partnerships) Research on apps, sites, tools,

smartphones, tablets, 3D printing, etc. Learning standards Curriculum resources Copyright compliance and risk reduction

The Virtual Handout The Value of Public Libraries

http://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/04/06/the-value-of-public-libraries/

The Value of School Librarieshttp://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/04/06/the-value-of-school-libraries/

The Value of Academic and College Librarieshttp://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/04/07/value-of-academic-and-college-libraries/

The Value of Special Librarieshttp://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/04/07/value-of-special-libraries/

Library Advocacy: Save the Library Campaignshttp://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/04/01/save-the-library-campaigns/

The Library as SandboxFor leaners and Teachers

Stephen Abram, MLS, FSLAPrincipal

Lighthouse ConsultingCel: 416-669-4855

stephen.abram@gmail.comStephen’s Lighthouse Blog

http://stephenslighthouse.com