Every time is the best time to pick up a good read and indulge in it.
But, if you are an edtech enthusiast, this probably be the best time to stock up your shelves with amazing books and work up on your perspective and knowledge.
Considering the pace at which edtech is being embraced, it is essential for stakeholders to be aware and have sound knowledge of the complete revolution. The past, Present and what all the future awaits.
The list of books below will help edtech enthusiasts like you with all of this.
1. Digital Literacies: Concepts, Policies and Practices by Colin Lankshear (Editor)
This book brings together a group of internationally-reputed authors in the field of digital literacy. Their essays explore a diverse range of the concepts, policies and practices of digital literacy, and discuss how digital literacy is related to similar ideas: information literacy, computer literacy, media literacy, functional literacy and digital competence. It is argued that in light of this diversity and complexity, it is useful to think of digital literacies – the plural as well the singular. The first part of the book presents a rich mix of conceptual and policy perspectives; in the second part contributors explore social practices of digital remixing, blogging, online trading and social networking, and consider some legal issues associated with digital media.
2. 21st Century Skills: Rethinking How Students Learn (Leading Edge) 1st Edition
by James Bellanca (Author), Ron Brandt (Author)
This anthology introduces the Framework for 21st Century Learning from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills as a way to re-envision learning and prepare students for a rapidly evolving global and technological world. Highly respected education leaders and innovators focus on why these skills are necessary, which are most important, and how to best help schools include them in curriculum and instruction.
This one looks at how constant change helps to keep students inspired in the potential of the future. The authors look at how the culture associated with technology has become fluid and adaptable. It is also an incredible challenge for educators. It contains numerous stories and interesting tales about those challenges and how technology even provides many of the answers to the problems it creates.
4. One World Schoolhouse: Education Reimagined by Salman Khan
Educator and entrepreneur Salman Khan (founder of Khan Academy) saw how education failed his relative with no apparent reason. The young girl mentioned at the start of the book is described as “logical, creative, and tenacious” and yet still faced with a slippery dilemma- a dilemma thrust upon her by orthodox, cookie-cutter educational mandates created over 200 years ago. Without the same restrictions, Khan helped that young woman find academic success. You may ask, success at what academic? What is academic success? Is it just learning to continuously pursue passions and turn those passions into practical impacting meaning? Well, it looks different for everyone, and that is absolutely the point of Khan’s vision. Finding success does and will continue to diversify as does the world. Part of finding that success means access: is the material readily available, is it affordable, is it manageable, is it going to motivate the individual to learn more?
One World Schoolhouse is not the “self-driving car” of the humanities. This model is all about human interaction and the intersection with technology, and how educators become part of this revolution.
5. Grown Up Digital: How the Net Generation is Changing Your World by Don Tapscott
Grown Up Digital reveals:
– How the brain of the Net Generation processes information
– Seven ways to attract and engage young talent in the workforce
– Seven guidelines for educators to tap the Net Gen potential
– Parenting 2.0: There’s no place like the new home
– Citizen Net: How young people and the Internet are transforming democracy
Today’s young people are using technology in ways you could never imagine. Instead of passively watching television, the “Net Geners” are actively participating in the distribution of entertainment and information. The book is a must read to understand the way we can protect ourselves and our students in the digital world.
In this book expect to learn about how social media affects education, a trajectory of social media’s impact throughout its brief — yet potent — history, social media’s cognitive effect on tweens, and much, much more. Homayou even addresses self-care by discussing sleep, stress management, exercise, and safety. Administrators, educators, and parents rejoice: the flagship book on social media wellness has finally arrived!
7. Out of Our Minds: Learning To Be Creative by Sir Ken Robinson
Ken Robinson argues that organizations everywhere are trying to fix a problem that originates in schools and universities: “It is often said that education and training are the keys to the future. They are, but a key can be turned in two directions. Turn it one way and you lock resources away, even from those they belong to. Turn it the other way and you release resources and give people back to themselves. To realize our true creative potential-in our organizations, in our schools and in our communities we need to think differently about ourselves and to act differently towards each other. We must learn to be creative.” Ken Robinson The updated 3rd edition features a new introduction, modernized case studies, updated demographics and revised sections around technological developments and recent changes to the education system.
