The Learning Edge: What Technology Can Do to Educate All Children (Technology, Education--Connections) [Paperback]

Alan Bain (Author), Mark E. Weston (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 25, 2011 | Series: Technology, Education--Connections

After billions of dollars, thousands of studies, and immeasurable effort by educators at all levels, why is the performance of students and teachers so unaffected by technology? Moreover, what should be done to extract genuine benefit from the information and communication technology (ICT) revolution? In this groundbreaking book, technology and education experts Alan Bain and Mark Weston provide research-based evidence for how the widespread application of ICT can provide powerful learning opportunities that lead to lasting gains and achievement. They show how the integrated use of technology at all levels of the educational system can greatly expand collaborative learning opportunities by giving all educational stakeholders powerful problem-solving tools and solutions. The approaches presented here are grounded in over twenty years of experience working with classroom teachers, school leaders, association members, and policymakers.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alan Bain is Sub-Dean Curriculum and Faculty Development in the Faculty of Education at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. Mark E. Weston is a global education strategist at Dell Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Teachers College Press (November 25, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807752711
• ISBN-13: 978-0807752715
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.6 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #462,101 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for Pre-service teachers. January 9, 2012

By James Brann

Format:Paperback

On the superficial level this book is about how an informed understanding of technology pedagogy can improve the current teaching environment. However, I found that this book really tries to highlight how self-organising behavioural policy making can be beneficial for schools and schooling district. As an educator I found this book highly informative, especially in its approach to the much criticised 1:1 computing. Bain and Weston turn some long standing assumptions on their head while trying to show how ICT's can be effective in education. The book analyse the outdated teaching practices/classrooms of the past and introduces the reader to a researched informed alternative method. Most importantly, the authors make these complex techniques more accessible. Sadly, I believe this book won't be touched by policy makers, however, if pre-service teachers are given access to this book from an early point in their Higher Education, they could start making transformative decisions within their schools regarding the benefits of ICT in the classroom. A MUST for any early pre-service teacher.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Making a difference in turnaround schools December 11, 2011

By Sandra Elliott

Format:Paperback

Thank you Mark and Alan! I am currently leading a $12M, 3year Federal turnaround grant effort for 6 schools. One of the major strategies is to have these schools use the technology they have to make their lives easier and more efficient as well as improve student achievement. It is always a surprise when we see how technology is viewed not as an enabler but rather as a barrier. Your book has given us a wonderfully practical framework for working with the schools as well as many conversation starters and stories to share of how others are doing it. Technology is becoming a part of their daily lives and their decision making processes as they use it to teach, engage students, support their grade and content level meetings and "crunch data" in order to make team decisions. Successful turnaround of our lowest performing schools relies upon our effectively using technology and you are definitely helping with this addition to our toolkit.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Learning Edge: What Technology Can Do to Educate All Children December 10, 2011

By dee mcglothlin

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Finally a real book about how technology can be used to transform education. The authors present research to back up their claims and to support their findings. They present the paradigm shift that needs to occur from the classroom, to the policy makers for true differentiated instruction to occur with the help of ICT. The authors step out to disagree with the popular notion that access to technology is the answer to all that ails education. They further explain that young people are not neccessarily the digital native others have claimed (my professional experience aligns with this thinking.)

This book is a must read for any educator that is working in the area of educational reform, technology acquisition/integration, leadership and professional development for teachers. Bain and Weston are on target with this book of reason and research.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Riding the Wave: December 7, 2011

By Kim. Mindy

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The system of education has fashioned it self in an assembly like structure, however Bain/Weston prove that the system of education can change. Education can be transformed from a linear structure that is unsuccessful to a system that is thriving and is capable of meeting the future needs of education placed on its educators. It is time that everyone ride the learning edge and make school what it was always meant to be. An experience worth waking up for and making learning come alive for the first time in education. With this knowledge it is viable to make quality education available to all learners and differentiation a constant of education.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling blueprint for change December 2, 2011

By L. Aaron

Format:Paperback

Having worked 22 years in government, mostly in technology, I have had direct experience with how technology solves many of the big problems of government and business. In that work and as a parent I also have had direct experience with the education system. I agree with Mark and Alan when they say that technology in our current educational system has its share of problems. In "The Learning Edge" they poignantly describe, via delightful vignettes and colorful characters, what the technology related problems in education are. The way forward for solving those problems that they lay out is insightful, thought-provoking, and quite frankly, very doable. Their approach--called edge technology and type-B education--is based on their two decades of real world experience at all levels of educational system. Having long been concerned about the current state of affairs in which our Nation's economy is weak and our workers aren't competitive with those of other countries, I found the Learning Edge to make a compelling case for changing our way of thinking about learning, teaching, and technology and to provide a blueprint for making those changes.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly informative! November 30, 2011

By The Notorious A.G.A.

Format:Paperback

I have felt for a long time that the Education system in our country is suffering. The children of other nations are passing our students in capability and skills. This book brings a fresh perspective on what technology can do for our students. It's not a matter of putting a computer or tablet device in front of our students but what they are taught to do with it. Dr. Weston is highly regarded in his field and I encourage anyone who is passionate about our children's education to read this book.