Learning in a Time of Abundance: The Community Is the Curriculum

by Dave Cormier

When enormous amounts of information are available at our fingertips, how do we learn the things we need to know? In a world overflowing with information, how can we adapt our learning methods to thrive? Dave Cormier, a pioneering figure in digital education, presents a thought-provoking manifesto in Learning in a Time of Abundance . A leading voice in digital learning, Cormier offers a fresh perspective on how we can face the uncertainty of a world where our challenges don't have clear answers amid an overwhelming digital landscape. Measuring knowledge through memorization and grades made more sense in a world where information was hard to come by. Cormier explores the cultural and teaching changes necessary to adapt in the digital age while emphasizing the importance of understanding how to navigate the vast sea of information we encounter every day, from answering questions like "Should my child play sports that often lead to concussions?" to "How should I chime in on that Facebook conversation on gender identity?" Delving into the history of traditional learning, Cormier addresses the pressing question of how we must transform our learning approaches to thrive in an era of endless information and complex decision making. This book is a must-read for those seeking guidance on how to adapt when we are overwhelmed by information overload. Whether it's understanding social media influences on children or making impactful decisions as citizens, Cormier empowers readers in the digital age to find their humility, trust effectively, and learn to apply their values in complex situations.

Genres: Education

192 pages, Hardcover

Published January 23, 2024

Reviews

[Dan MacDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most important books I’ve read. There is a changing of the guard in the way we access information, the way we process it, they way we influence others and how we are influenced. And by who. “The internet is people”, just like “we are traffic”.
Big statement: This book will change the footprint I leave on the social media platforms I am on. Full. Stop.
The wonderful, - charming, even - and relatable anecdotes, personal reflections and analogies the author uses and throws to make this read compelling, charming and so bang on. As I read, I had a highlighter in hand so I could go back to re-read certain sections because it speaks so clearly to what we are experiencing as digital citizens… and the impact online has on our offline world.
I’ve made a list of other writers to check out who were referenced.
My takeaways: Lead with kindness, be humble, face uncertainty - and don’t be afraid if you are uncertain how to face it. The uncertainty in EVERYTHING has always been there. Certainty was an illusion.
It’s now just visible, the curtain is pulled back.
As terrifying as some of this is - (isn’t change always a bit scary?) - I also find comfort in it, even if only that it reaffirms I’m not alone in these … uncertain times.
This book made me think - hard - and the questions it asks are so zeitgeist, I just can’t recommend this read enough.
Fast, fun, smart and full of guts, brains, humility and heart.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book and I would say a must read for educators. Dave lays out for us how learning has changed in a society of abundance. For many, this will force us to reconsider our priorities and praxis as we apply them to our classrooms. Bravo and thank you for writing this, Dave.

[Nadine Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book! As a middle-aged educator in higher education, I have been rethinking how I approach teaching. Cormier describes in a witty and thought-provoking way the reasons why we need to adjust our approaches to teaching, and tools to help us and our students moving forward.