Along with The World is Flat (http://www.thomaslfriedman.com/), the book A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink (http://www.danpink.com/aboutwnm.php), was recommended by Alan November at his keynote yesterday. These books explore global competency and how behind the U.S. is and will become in this type of economy. Relating to the brain drain from the U.S. and recognizing the importance of changing student learning, Alan made some compelling statements about the state of learning. These were keypoints:

• Every school should consider students taking at least one online course as a requirement for graduation
• Because of massive information readily available, focus on what students really need
• the capacity to be self directed
• global communication skills (i.e. skype.com)
• students should be (co)owners of their learning
• the job description of students should be rewritten to a collaborative end

In thinking about where to begin, ask these questions:

1. What do you love to teach?
2. What is the most difficult part of the curriculum?
3. How can you build more motivating and demanding assignments?

Visit Alan's website at www.anovember.com for more information.