The Connected Educator: Learning and Leading in a Digital Age [Perfect Paperback]

I had the opportunity to read this insightful book in publisher's galleys. Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach and Lani Ritter Hall first make the case that teaching and learning have fundamentally changed forever with the advent of the Internet and its capacity to connect both adult and young learners to a world of content knowledge -- and more importantly -- a world of other learners who share our interests and passions and have expertise to offer.

They then describe a new model of professional learning for teachers and other education leaders -- the Connected Learning Community. What's that? It's the now familiar PLC (professional learning community), pumped up for the Digital Age. CLC's have three key components: the face-to-face PLC; the personal learning network with its many social media connections, and participation in global communities of practice, which penetrate the surface level of inquiry usually associated with PLNs and dig deep into effective learning practices.

The authors also advocate for a PBL approach to instruction, and within that acronym they include project-, problem- and passion-based learning. These inquiry learning strategies are all designed to shift the locus of control over the learning process in the direction of the student. The authors are totally comfortable with core curriculum standards, checking for understanding through classroom assessments, and generally make the argument that engaged learning driven by student interests is compatible with challenging learning goals and "school reform."

We often hear about teachers becoming "the guide on the side," a phrase that makes traditionalists very nervous. But Nussbaum-Beach and Ritter Hall actually describe what that looks like -- and end up defining an expanded and transformed role for the professional teacher in the 21st century.

The ideas and insights share in The Connected Educator grow out of the authors' work with more than 7000 educators in the US, Canada and abroad through the company Powerful Learning Practice, co-founded by Nussbaum-Beach and edutech author and blogger Will Richardson. They report spending thousands of hours working and leading in virtual professional learning communities with teachers, principals and other educators to improve teaching practice and student learning. I doubt there's another education author with a book on the market today that can claim this level of experience with Connected Learning Communities.

Who's the book for? Teachers who are feeling the need, and perhaps the urge, to make the shift to more connected learning that emphasizes 21st century skills. Principals who are looking for ideas to help faculties shift to higher levels of practice. Professional development leaders who believe they can accelerate their work by embedding virtual components that tap into the potential of digital tools and connected communities.

It's also an interactive book... the authors invite readers to begin trying out ideas and tools, and to join a community of readers online in discussions that go beyond what the book is able to provide in 200 pages. There are also downloadable resources galore.

Scott McLeod, an authority on professional learning in the Digital Age, says it well in his endorsement of the book: "There is tremendous power in educators being better digitally connected, but most don't know how to get there. This amazing book gives teachers and administrators the why and the how so that they can ramp up quickly and effectively."

With so many books out there about this topic, it's hard to know which ones are worth buying. This is a book worth having in your personal library. It's been written so that you are pushed to think about the ideas....consider how they relate to your own circumstances....equip you to enter into discussions with others. Not many books are able to do this but these authors succeed in getting me to do more than just read.

My favorite chapters...the ones that really expanded my thinking....tackling the idea of how to build knowledge with others, then how to create a community around doing that and how to sustain the momentum once you start. "Learning to Learn" is something I thought I was pretty good at...and I still think I'm OK. But this chapter helped me consider new dimensions that I could add to my toolbox.

Overall this book gives tons of ideas on how to improve the way you digitally connect with other people. Sure it can help you get started...but it can also help if you've started this journey and need help considering how to take to a whole other level.

Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach and Lani Ritter Hall have produced an invaluable resource for educators. They gently escort the reader through a clear, systematic approach to connected learning and leadership while sharing personal stories and experiences. Their transparency is a gift!

The strength of this book lies in its organization. Each chapter begins with the authors' personal stories, continues to provide clear, well-defined information and helpful models, and then highlights educators who are "Putting It in Practice" in the classroom. The chapters wrap up with a bulleted "Where Are We?" summary, a "Think About" section to help the reader apply learning to their unique situation, and a "Where to Now?" section that looks ahead to the next topic.

In addition, the authors push readers to begin connecting right away, by providing instruction and areas where they can connect with each other to discuss the book. Practical tools are used to connect readers. As the reader begins to create connections and use tools, Sheryl and Lani help them to construct a connected learning community by providing lists of educators to follow through Twitter and RSS readers. They explain the roles within the community, and identify the qualities of leadership within these communities. Finally, the authors look to the future, exploring the changing roles of teachers and administrators as education transforms.

After spending a year immersed in the Powerful Learning Practice program, co-founded by Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach, I can attest to the value and necessity in becoming a connected educator. This book belongs on the shelf of every teacher and principal as a practical, hands-on reference for learning and leading in the digital age.