March 2018 Bookshelf
Books 02 March 2018
The Origins of Creativity
Edward O. Wilson
Learner-centered pioneers recognize the creativity inherent in all learners. Edward O. Wilson, author of The Origins of Creativity, wants to take you on an exploration of this inherently human characteristic—to a degree you’ve never seen before. Starting over 100,000 years ago, the Pulitzer Prize winning author invites readers on a journey through the lenses of science and the arts, showing how both have grown and thrived thanks to the creative minds of mankind. Take a look at creativity from a whole new light, and see how it shows up in your learners (colleagues, friends, and family).
Dawn of the New Everything: Encounters with Reality and Virtual Reality
Jaron Lanier
How should we relate to a future where virtual reality is a technology that exists at the core of our everyday lives? Who better to answer this question than the father of VR himself, Jaron Lanier? In Lanier’s book, Dawn of the New Everything, he guides the reader through the story of his life and how virtual reality can bring new and positive possibilities to everyone’s future. A man celebrated for his identity as a lifelong learner, Lanier might be welcome company as you select your next book.
Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life
Spencer Johnson
Even if you see yourself as someone who leads change and transformation, the unpredictable future can make you yearn for a little more control. When these thoughts creep in, it helps to have a small reminder there to refocus your energy on the task at hand. Dr. Spencer Johnson has just the thing. In his hit book, Who Moved My Cheese?, Dr. Johnson provides a light-hearted parable to explain some of the greatest lessons he’s learned throughout his career in the medical field. Maybe this is the lesson you’ve been looking for.
The Self-Driven Child
William Stixrud and Ned Johnson
The Information Age has brought about a dramatically different approach to parenting than what was practiced less than two generations ago. In response, William Stixrud and Ned Johnson, authors of The Self-Driven Child, want to raise a red flag—too much information can lead to too much control. Just as an adult would feel handcuffed working under a micromanager, their child will feel just the same if every action they take must be approved or decided by their parent. With expertise in neuropsychology (Stixrud) and motivational coaching (Johnson), the two authors offer an intriguing look at how parents can rightfully sustain their stature while providing their children with autonomy and an acute sense of self.
Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success
Adam Grant
As we prepare young learners for a world hyper-focused on collaboration and the sharing of ideas, it seems worthy to explore what it takes to successfully operate in such a future. Adam Grant, author of Give and Take, has developed a set of profiles that can help identify how we and others currently operate within a collaborative setting and how we can improve. Grant describes three profiles—the Giver, the Taker, and the Matcher. Within each, there are positives and negatives in the short term, but one wins the day again and again over the long haul—you might be surprised who it is.
Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness
Jon Kabat-Zinn
As an educator, it can seem downright impossible to press pause and check in with yourself. Your engine is fueled by the opportunity to serve others and between work life and home life, there are plenty of services to deliver. But, as with any machine, your mind and body need consistent maintenance to operate at maximum efficiency. Consider allowing someone like Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Full Catastrophe Living, to serve you so that you can continue serving others. Kabat-Zinn’s work gave rise to an entirely new medical field studying stress-reduction and mindful living—two things we could all use a little help with.
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