Learning in the times of COVID-19

As we enter into another period of remote learning, we've had time to consider the impact of the Term 2 experience and have reached the end of another reporting period for students. This time students, teachers and families have a clearer idea of what's ahead of us.

During this time there is no shortage of professional discussions in which to be involved. They are worthwhile learning and exchanges of ideas. One such webinar I attended included a discussion of Cognitive Load Theory and Design Learning. It's time to look closely at students and their learning environment.

The conclusions of Psychologist, Andrew Fuller were particularly worthy of discussion. He suggested we need to listen to the students who are thriving and give them a voice. Why do many of them like the new arrangements of remote learning?  He suggested the processes we put in place in the coming months will stick.

Pathways to future learning he proposed (with caution) were:

1. Retention of some model of remote learning. Some learning will be asynchronous.

2. Increased brevity of instructional elements. The exploration of ideas is more important than the provider.

3. Platforms we’re using today will quickly become out dated.

4. Current university selection criteria will be reviewed. There will be higher levels of participation online.

5. Interdisciplinary learning – there will be more linkages between subjects.

6. Personalised learning will come into its own. Character strengths will be important. Here is a chance for teachers. Less mob think and tribalism.

7. We need to help people become design learners.

8. Importance of cultural competency. Ethics of common issues and focus on values.

The overall message that came from the webinar - When nothing is certain, everything is possible.

We need to work smarter on a new way of learning.

Conflict is #Solvable

There are so many podcasts out there these days it can be hard to find the quality. As soon as I saw Malcolm Gladwell's name associated with the 'Solvable' podcast, I knew it would be a winner. As the description states

 Solvable showcases the world’s most inspiring thinkers proposing solutions to the world’s most daunting problems. The interviews, conducted by journalists like Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Weisberg, acknowledge complexity while inciting hope that these problems are, in fact, solvable.

This interview features Jacob Weisberg talking to Victor Ochen about building peace in Africa through the African Youth Initiative Network. It's truly inspirational.

Listen to the Solvable podcast: Conflict is #Solvable

A Learning Commons Journey

A Learning Commons Journey: 10 year transition from Camilla Elliott

The recent School Library Assoc of Victoria conference focussing on school library design and change was an opportunity to share our 10 year library transition at Mazenod College. The physical transition has been from a 1970's style library, through to a revamp that breathed in new life and flexibility, until finally in March 2018, moving into a competely new building.

Whilst the physical transition has been complex. Before anything could be achieved we needed to have all library staff on board for the journey. This commenced in 2010 when I introduced the concept of School Library as Learning Commons and the idea of changing the day to day library philosophy to a student centred approach. Library in name but with a Learning Commons philosophy. (See writing on this topic).

Bringing staff on board is an essential first step with any change. When a school library transitions, the first step is development of a shared vision and, in our instance, an understanding of the role of the library in the life of the student. The change required involved a commitment to professional learning and growth for each staff member.

This is often an overlooked first step and as a consequence, the library building changes, is refurbished and renewed and the libray staff remain the same. The outcome of a focus on building over staff results in dissatisfaction, resentment and a lack of ownership. 

A new library building is wonderful but the foundation of success in the construction of that building is an involved and committed library team equipped to offer a vision of school library appropriate to today's society.  Be informed, be involved, be ready.

Stephen Fry on the future of technology

The Hay Festival of Literature & Arts is an annual literature festival held in Hay-on-Wye, Powys, Wales UK.  It attracts a crowd of 85,000 people over 10 days who come together to think, discuss and listen to discussions that re-imagine the world and contribute to new thinking and ideas.   

Follow The Hay Festival Youtube Channel

Clouding the ebook sales story

 

Source:Digital Book World Report 2017

How often do we hear it said that digital publishing is just not taking off?  eBooks are dying before they've really begun and young people are adamant that they prefer the feel of a paper book in their hands in preference to digital.

Whilst some of this feedback is real experience, it's necesssary to look at the statistics from a range of sources  to realise the reports being presented on a regular basis only tell part of the whole story.  As the articles below show, ebook sales statistics are usually taken from data presented by the Big 5 Publishers.  The huge rise in digital publishing, on the other hand, is the Indie and self-published market whose figures are not included in mainstream publishers data.

• Self-published indie authors are verifiably capturing at least 24% – 34% of all ebook sales in each of the five English-language markets; it’s not just a US-only phenomenon. When you also include the uncategorized authors, the vast majority of whom are also self-published, the true indie share in each market lies somewhere between 30% – 40%.
• Indies are competing particularly well in the Canadian and Australian ebook markets, nearly approaching the level of dominance they currently hold in the US.
• The Big Five, on the other hand, are letting themselves progressively get squeezed out of nearly every English-Language ebook market. They make up only 38% of Canadian ebook purchases, and that’s the country where they are holding their ground best; in the US, the Big Five now account for barely 26% of all ebook sales.  (AuthorEarnings.com)

So, rather than being an ebook vs print book debate, like television vs radio, we are finding there is a place for both formats, plus audiobooks which is another story again!  Articles that tell a different story:

From AuthorEarnings.com - February 2017 Big, Bad, Wide & International Report: covering Amazon, Apple, B&N, and Kobo ebook sales in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand

From: Print vs Digital, Traditional vs Non-Traditional, Bookstore vs Online: 2016 Trade Publishing by the numbers

From TheConversation.com - Has the print book trumped digital? Beware of glib conclusions by Nick Earls

From Fortune.com - No, e-books sales are not falling, despite what publishers say by Mathew Ingram