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Learning Theory Presentation
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=Book Reviews=

Christensen, C.M., Horn, M.B., & Johnson, C.W. (2008). //Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns.// Chicago: McGraw-Hill Professional Publishers.

Bestselling author and Harvard Professor of Business Administration, Clayton M. Christensen is known well in the business world for writing //The Innovator’s Dilemma//, where he discussed his theory on disruptive technology and innovation in commercial enterprises. Now he has teamed up with Executive Director of Education and co-founder of Innosight Institute, Michael B. Horn and former college president & leader in the public sector, Curtis W. Johnson to apply his disruptive theories in education. According to Christensen, schools function much like a business and I would have a hard time disagreeing with him. With this in mind, he lets the reader know that the same kinds of disruptive innovation that works in business would also work in the school system. He uses some very fascinating and enlightening research to help support his theories and presents it in a clear manner using both text and tables to show the reader the findings of the studies. One of the most interesting topics of the book revolves around student-centric learning. Using technology to provide a lower cost student specific education where a student can learn the things they want to learn the way their brain learns them is a fantastic solution to the sit passively and listen to a lecture format of today. This book should read by anyone who is involved in the process of the education system so when the change, (which has already begun) begins to effect their school they will be less resistant to the necessary changes that need to be made to disrupt the current system and create a new system to meet the needs of today’s youths.

Pros Cons
 * Presents a valid argument on technology use in the classroom
 * Uses real world situations to validate his theories
 * Explains concepts used in the book very well
 * Co-written with people that have a lot of experience in education
 * The fictional narrative seemed unnecessary for this book
 * Could be longer to go into more detail about the ideas and theories

Bauerlein, Mark. (2009) //The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future (Or Don’t Trust Anyone Under 30).// New York: Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

Professor of English, Mark Bauerlein presents a cautionary tale of our societies youth quickly becoming the dumbest generation. While new technology has opened a gateway to vast amounts of knowledge, Bauerlein uses many studies and statistics to show that while information is more readily available, the youth of today is only becoming less informed about our world by wasting time on social networking sites and YouTube and less time on reading books. With the digital age upon us, the youth of today spends less and less time reading and more time twittering useless information, uploading photos, or any other activity that Bauerlein finds of no value. While much of the data presented may or may not actually be something of concern, it isn't presented well and makes it very drudging. How can you blame kids for being excited about these amazing advancements in technology? It really isn't until the second half of the book before you begin to see the entire picture. Bauerlein makes some valid points about the mentors of the children failing them by not influencing them to read and gain knowledge about the world around them and how their lives are influenced by politics. This is where the danger begins. If the mentors are not getting the youth to spend time obtaining beneficial knowledge then we will have an uninformed society with no knowledge of the history of this country or its democracy. According to Bauerlein, they will become a society that will have lost the heritage of America. While the book is well written and presents some valid points there are many times I feel Bauerlein uses obscure comparisons just to invoke a negative thought or reaction to make his argument seem more valid. I have feelings both good and bad for this book and believe that we are still unable to tell whether or not we are raising the dumbest generation.

Pros Cons
 * Thought provoking information
 * Places blame not just on youth but mentors as well
 * Better second half
 * Poor presentation of statistics
 * Much of the book is dull and unappealing
 * Bad first half

Prensky, Marc (2006). //“Don’t Bother Me Mom – I’m Learning”//. St. Paul, Minnesota: Paragon House. Marc Prensky’s, //Don’t Bother Me Mom, I’m Learning//, is a breath of fresh air from all the negative stereotypes of children and gaming heard in the news. Prensky does a great job at presenting video games in a new light to persuade a negative reader or concerned parent into thinking positively about the educational benefits and uses of video games for learning. He accomplishes this by dispelling the myths that video games warp a child's mind by explaining many skills that can be learned from playing video games. One of, if not the most important focuses of the book is for parents to get involved which is advice all parents and teachers should hear when it comes to the topic of children and video games. The book is very easy to read and understand even if you are unfamiliar with video game culture and should be read by all parents and educators.

Pros · Informative and persuasive without being pushy. · Quick reading. · Full of very helpful and beneficial suggestions.

Cons · Could use more citations of studies showing the positive effects of video games. · For someone familiar with games parts of the book will feel redundant.