In the course I’m teaching, one of the optional texts students can choose is Rogers (2004) “Diffusion of innovations”. I first read this book in my master’s program at Indiana University (IU), and it put into words (and importantly … through research) what I’d experienced countless times in my professional life. Time, users/stakeholders, competing priorities, etc. all…
I spend a lot of time contemplating the need that drives our work at Designers for Learning. It’s challenging to get the right mix of relevant statistics to frame the problem/need, empathy to share the human cost/importance, while avoiding condescension (e.g., labeling/deeming other humans as being “less than”). So, here’s today’s latest attempt. I’ve probably…
Designers for Learning is a proud member of the Chicago Literacy Alliance (CLA), a coalition of over 130 nonprofits dedicated toward a mission of a 100% literate Chicago. The CLA’s Literacenter, a 27,000 sqft co-working space, is Designers for Learning’s “home office” and my home away from home. I took this picture today at the…
Over the years, Designers for Learning’s database of contacts with a valid email has grown to around 5,500 people. Given our high percentage of college students, we lose quite a few at the end of semesters when students graduate and their .edu emails are retired, but the new enrollment each new term tends to even things…
The 2019 AECT Convention Call for Proposals deadline is creeping up on February 18th, and Designers for Learning participants will be submitting at least 4 (but maybe 6?) submissions related to our work. Today, I aggregated the session topics in a master Google Doc and tomorrow I’ll send it out to the roster of presenters…
Crab legs were harmed in the filming of this Semester Eve dinner. Celebrating the start of a new term. Cheers to the next 16 weeks!
Today, my pal and I presented at an Adult Education In-Service day. We shared our thoughts on “Integrating Technology into Instruction—Realistic Strategies for the Adult Education Classroom”. We’ve given versions of this session several times over the past six months. Early in our session, we talk about the fact that over 80% of middle-skills jobs (i.e.,…
Tomorrow, my pal and I will be presenting at the Morton College Adult Education In-Service day. We’re excited to share our thoughts on “Integrating Technology into Instruction—Realistic Strategies for the Adult Education Classroom”. Here’s the overview of our session: “While most adults have smartphones, many lack the digital skills needed to acquire and evaluate information, communicate…
My latest used book arrived in the mail yesterday, Schon’s 1984 “The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think In Action” 1st Edition. With Monica Tracey and John Baaki on our board at Designers for Learning, it was only a matter of time before I ordered this. They cite Schon’s work throughout their chapter titled, “Design, Designers,…
In my course this term, students have the option to write a case study for one of their course assignments. In digging for writing/assessment guidance, I came across the Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership. Since Ed Leadership is outside my area of expertise, I’ve never seen this peer-reviewed (and yes … behind a walled…