FIRST SEMINAR BOOK

 

The first book we will read and discuss is titled, Learning Outside the Lines by Jonathan Mooney and David Cole.  The book was published by Simon & Schuster in 2000; the ISBN is 0-684-86598-X.  You can find it at Barnes and Noble or Borders bookstores, or hop on-line and order it from amazon.com.  You can probably also order it from your local bookstore.  It's in paperback so you don't need to pay for a hard-cover edition.

 

This book was written by two young men who recently graduated from Brown University.  Both have diagnosed learning disabilities.  Both experienced considerable difficulty during their public school careers.  Both have interesting insights about what learning is and is not and what learners need to do to "own" their education.

 

We thought we'd start with this book for several reasons.  First, it's about learning and the central question we want to answer this quarter is: What is learning?   However, there are MANY books about learning, so why this one?  Well, a considerable percentage of children and adolescents in America's public schools have diagnosed learning disabilities and there is a great deal of evidence that these students often do not receive the support they need.  As people who are becoming teachers, you need to consider the variety of learners you will encounter.

 

Second, we think the book is well written, readable, and addresses important issues with humor and compassion. 

 

Third, it explores what it means to be responsible for one's own learning and provides excellent suggestions to support all learners, including graduate students, in gaining important benefits from their education.

 

Fourth, it challenges the assumption that schooling and learning are synonymous.

 

The Forward, Part I, and Part III are about what it means to learn, to succeed at learning, and to feel like a failure.  The other sections of the book contain specific suggestions about how to maximize what any student can get out of her/his college education.

 

Read this book thoroughly and carefully before you come to campus fall quarter.  Make written notes, diagrams, or charts either handwritten or computer written on separate paper (not in the book) to be turned in about:

a.      the authors' definitions of learning;

b.      their ideas about learner responsibility;

c.      their arguments about the relationship of schooling and learning; and,

d.      YOUR questions or responses. 

 

We will collect your notes at the first seminar.    Enjoy!