That Used to be Us: How America Fell Behind in the World it Invented and How we can Come Back by Thomas Friedman and Michael Mandelbaum
Thomas Friedman, in a previous book The World is Flat, created a term that has become part of a contemporary lexicon in describing our intertwined global culture. In this recent book Friedman and Mandelbaum describe the four major challenges we face--globalization, the revolution in information technology, the nation’s chronic deficits, and its pattern of energy consumption—and spell out what we need to do now to rediscover America. They are cautionary yet hopeful that the we can rise to this challenge. What they emphasize is that a stable America is necessary to have a stable world. Education plays a major role in the efforts to create solutions to the world's problems.
This is a MUST read for educators as we need to be proactive in how we educate our children and grandchildren.
Corollary Books:
Catching Up or Leading the Way by Yong Zhao. Dr. Zhao was raised in China and brings a unique perspective to American education. He amphasizes that America should continue to do what it does well--creating innovative, creative people that go beyond rote learning for tests. He talks about what is right in American education but that we are at a crossroads.
Rise of the Creative Class by Richard Florida. Richard Florida discussed how the US is in a large-scale economic transformation, the creative transformation. This economic development creates an "economic geography" because of the necessary 3T's--technology (and an educated population to use it), talent, and tolerance. He ranks the top 10 cities, Minneapolis being one of them, that have the 3Ts and attract talented people and create regional economic growth. Some of the other cities are Boston, New York, Austin, to name a few. Creative people prefer places that are "diverse, tolerant, and open to new ideas." As we look to keep a viable public school system in our urban and suburban areas, this book is an important read to that we continue to create an environment that attracts and keeps educated, talented people.
The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton Christensen describes how success is often the death of innovation. True innovation often comes from without a company because a successful company often ignores key warning signs that change is needed. Instead, they continue to do what they have always done but the result is different because the environment has changed. Innovation may have to be "disruptive." It may have to be like Target, a discount store, that was disruptive to major department-style stores. What does this mean for us in education?
Disrupting Class by Clayton Christensen takes his idea to education. There are four factors that influence education: technological improments, student-centric software appropriate to each type of learner, teacher shortage, and cost pressures--that may push education to change in a way unseen before.
These books are all MUST reads as we try to be proactive, instead of reacting to change that has already happened.
Buy the books: Kubitz educational services will be happy to send you the books. Kubitz is a supporter of MASA and education throughouth the state of Minnesota
HAPPY READING!
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