Shift Ed: A Call to Action for Transforming K-12 Education / Edition 1

by David E. Houle, Jeff T. Cobb

Overview

A comprehensive guide to transforming American schools

Futurist David Houle and educational strategist Jeff Cobb issue a “call to action” to everyone who is concerned about education in America. He argues that reinventing our system is inevitable and we already have the information and capabilities to make the necessary changes. Shift Ed challenges us to ask the right questions, expand our vision, and take action now. The book includes an overview of the educational system and expert opinions on key areas, including:

• Technology and connectivity
• Organizational behavior
• Curriculum
• Learning and the brain
• Infrastructure and the physical plant

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781412992961
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	04/04/2011
Pages:	184
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

David Houle is a futurist, speaker, and strategist. He has been called “the CEO futurist” and “the emerging futurist in the world today.” He is the author of The Shift Age, has delivered more than 250 speeches around the world in the last three years, including numerous education conferences, and has made a commitment to help shape the vision of education for this century.

Jeff Cobb is a strategist, writer, and speaker on the social and economic impact of new technologies. He has established himself as one of the leading thinkers on “Learning 2.0”—the blending of social media and open collaboration with traditional education-and is a vocal advocate of “cradle to grave” lifelong learning.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. A Quick Look Back
The Agricultural Age
The Industrial Age
The Information Age
American Childhood Education Through the Ages
2. The Current Landscape of Education in America
A System Out of Sync
Not Your Forefather's College
Learning - and Relearning - to Work
Holding Our Own in the Global Classroom
Facing the Issues and Shifting the Vision
Change Visions: From Train to Rocket
3. A Look Ahead
The Shift Age
The Twenty-First Century
2010 to 2020: The Transformation Decade
Change Visions: The Need for New
4. Generations
Baby Boomers: The Bridge Generation
Generation X: A Different Voice
Millennials: The Emerging Leaders
Digital Natives: Today's and Tomorrow's Students
Change Visions: Reconnecting
5. Why Transformation Is the Only Path
A Change in Form
A Change in Appearance
A Change in Nature
Signals From the Future
Change Visions: The New Architecture of Learning
6. Working on the Shift Ed Vision
Jim Rex
Peter Renwick
Janice Mattina
Karen Woodward
7. Ask the Right Questions
Technology and Connectivity
Calendar and Operations
Curriculum
Learning and the Brain
Infrastructure and the Physical Plant
Answering the Questions
Preparing Teachers
Your Contribution
Change Visions: Survival Skills for the Twenty-First Century
8. Expand the Vision
The New Vision of Education for the Twenty-First Century
Four Fundamentals for Twenty-First-Century Education
9. Start Now!
The Shift Ed 21
Parting - But Not Final - Words
Notes
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

America needs a new educational vision. Shift Ed provides a clear vision that emphasizes the essential ingredients of a 21st-century education based upon creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Houle and Cobb make a great case that nothing less than transformation will be enough.

Dan Pink

Thanks to David for leading the charge. Shift Ed: A Call for Transformation of K-12 Education is a blueprint for getting it right in education.”

Charles Sosnik

"David Houle and Jeff Cobb make a powerful case for a transformative shift in schooling, and explain what such a shift might entail. They persuasively and passionately argue that deep-rooted norms need to be fundamentally rethought in tandem with larger technological and social changes. Their vision of what the next decade might hold and their assertion that student-centered, progressive instruction is the way of the future are sure to spark smart discussion among educators, policymakers, and parents wondering what's next for schooling. "

Frederick M. Hess

"Provides a powerful key to changing the process of teaching. From socialcultural evolution in generations to the evolving landscape of education in America, SHIFT ED is a fine pick. "

James A. Cox

"As an educator, I highly recommend this book on the transformation of K–12 education. Old ways, repeating the past, and no change are hallmarks of a broken system. Shift Ed outlines the case for building a new system of K–12 education. "

Jerry Ice

"David Houle uses his vision to identify the need for transformation in education, as he has so profoundly done for us in business. Shift Ed is a must-read, and it resonates to people many levels: from citizens, taxpayers, grandparents, and family to passionate educators observing the frustrations of the system that can't effectively compete or function in today's Shift Age."

Wallace B. Doolin, CEO - Wallace B. Doolin

As an urban educator who is passionate about transformative international education, Shift Ed strikes a deep chord. It is a bold call to action to ensure universal student success in a globalized environment that is always changing.”

Ellen Estrada

We can’t educate the leaders of tomorrow with yesterday’s education model. Houle and Cobb offer a much needed, action-oriented, transformative vision for what K-12 education must become. It’s time to stop talking and start doing. Our future depends on it.

Rafael Pastor

Our future rests in the hands of our children, and these hands must be strong to accomplish this great task. Their strength will come from their education but, unfortunately, our education system is failing them. David Houle and Jeff Cobb’s Shift Ed: A Call to Action for Transforming K-12 Education is a powerful voice in the honest conversation that must lead to a solution.” 

Lewis Hollweg

"Shift Ed’s major strength is awakening Americans, especially the educational community, to the reality that change is here. We must prepare our young scholars for a global society, as opposed to past teaching and learning practices. "

Belinda J. Raines

The strength of this book is the strong case the authors make for change. They point out how our nation is falling behind in the quest for global supremacy and what changes need to be brought about for that problem to be corrected.”

Randel Beaver

Shift Ed challenges your educational mindset without being intimidating. I spent the entire read asking myself, “why not?”

R. Jon Frey

Shift Ed is a call to action. There’s no doubt that the David Houle and Jeff Thomas Cobb have identified where education must go, so the question becomes how will we – as parents and educators and community leaders – get there? Shift Ed is the kind of book that makes us ask the toughest questions about how we’re educating our children today, and provides a broad vision for changes we simply have to start preparing for and making today.

Tim Sullivan