Designed for Learning: Transferring Wisdom to Digital Generations

The theme of the book is defining the role of teachers in blended learning environments. The book encourages teachers to use the blended classroom to engage with digital learners in highly intentional ways. The book articulates the need to create a moral exemplar approach to digital learning environments and posits a dual parallel education theory. The book offers a model of the theory that is currently operating. Finally, the book encourages teachers to accept the challenge to be engaged, shepherd teachers.

Table of Contents:
Dedication Acknowledgements Introduction Chapter One: The Shepherd Heart Teacher Chapter Two: The World of Digital Generations Chapter Three: The Moral Education Parallel for the Shepherd Heart Teacher Chapter Four: The Silhouette: Belief Systems of Shepherd Heart Educators Chapter Five: The Distinction of Morality in Education Chapter Six: Points of Wisdom and the Curriculum of the Shepherd Chapter Seven: The Academic Parallel Structure for the Shepherd Heart Teacher Chapter Eight: The Education Theory for Transformed Learning Systems Chapter Nine: A Model of the Theory Chapter Ten: The Anchor of Morality and Wisdom in Educating Digital Learners Postscript Gratitude for Shepherd Hearts About the Author

About the Author :
Dr. Alan Wimberley serves as the Chief Education Architect for Responsive Education Solutions, one of the largest systems of nonprofit public charters nationally, as well as a professor and doctoral chair at two leading universities.. His primary work engages him with districts, charters and educators at-large to transform learning environments that blend teachers and technology in effective ways.

Review :
Dr. Wimberley’s new book is a must read for educators who wish to be effective with 21st century students. Teaching is about transforming the whole child through meaningful engagement, and it is more than just transferring knowledge. Morally great teachers are unusually talented with putting knowledge in context of our culture, and helping students to create meaning and solutions – and this book empowers educators to better use this talent. In order for this next generation to truly succeed, each individual educator must take responsibility to effectively parallel academic and moral education for all students. Into an educational system that can often feel broken, and leaving students “uneducated”, steps Alan Wimberley—transforming the frontier of education. His revolutionary approach recalibrates education by bringing much needed wisdom, insights, paradigm shifts and practical tools. His fresh perspective offers an “ancient/modern” shepherding model—stirring students minds with curiosity, discovery and creativity, stimulating their intellects to the highest level possible. Even better, Alan challenges educators to possess a strong “anchor of morality”--a moral center that produces wisdom, leadership and character in their learners that emanates from the shepherding heart of teachers. This book is not theory, but rather it comes from a lifetime of personally investing in the lives young people both outside and inside the classroom. Alan has a deep love for teenagers and a strong desire to see them fulfill their life purpose. And this book lays the foundation for how teachers can guide students to fulfill that purpose as they experience a transformational education. Dr. Alan Wimberley’s work is a treasure trove full of anecdotes and personal stories from his many years as a professional educator, leader and father. Geared toward the teacher of the 21st Century, Designed for Learning: Transferring Wisdom to Digital Generations speaks to the heart of every person who has heeded the call to enter the education profession. The challenges and obstacles of imparting wisdom to those students surrounded by today’s technology can be a daunting task, yet Wimberley eases the reader into a friendly and caring “how-to“ guide to best tackle these issues. Without question, this is a must read for today’s educator at any level as we all grapple with how to teach and lead our students in a fast-paced and ever-changing world. Designed for Learning: Transferring Wisdom to Digital Generations is a thrilling and timely clarion call to modern educational systems to resurrect morality and transference of wisdom as the core of a learner-centered instructional model. Dr. Wimberley artfully evaluates the modern trends of digital environments, the substantial ramifications of social media, and the compelling potential these trends have on education in the digital age. He unabashedly indicts humanistic and relativistic amoral and moral-neutral promotion of the self in modern education while expertly defining the characteristics of a shepherd heart teacher who imparts wisdom to students, leads from a moral center, and facilitates discerning mastery learning in a digital age where information, destructive and constructive, is ubiquitous. This book is a must-read for the educator and educational leader who yearns for challenges to the status quo and craves abundant opportunities for their students. Designed for Learning: Transferring Wisdom to Digital Generations is a much needed look into how we can successfully lead our newest generation of students who are growing up digital. Dr. Wimberly understands the serious consequences of a generation of students with no true north on their moral compass due to the influence of the internet and a constant connection to information that may not be emotionally appropriate for them. Online opportunities have changed the way students learn, but also transformed how instruction can occur. A combination of focusing on moral values with various forms of instructional techniques may just help create a generation of connected, compassionate members of society who can take charge and lead in the future. Designed for Learning: Transferring Wisdom to Digital Generations is a must read for veteran and new teachers alike. With the educational community and society embracing advances in technology and its inclusion in learning environments, what is often forgotten is both what a teacher brings to their students as well as a true plan for how to best utilize both the strengths of the technology and the educator. This book does a splendid job of allowing the reader to take a step back and realize that not only is the educator paramount to the development of students but it is possible to reap the benefits of technology and not lose the valuable contributions our professional educators make toward the growth of our young learners. It gives an honest and practical reminder that education goes beyond standards and that technology cannot replace what a passionate educator can bring to their students. In a day when personalized learning systems and blended learning platforms are being implemented into the educational process, Designed for Learning: Transferring Wisdom to Digital Generations is a reminder of the vital role of a quality teacher in successful educational transformation. Dr. Wimberley adds, ‘It’s not a matter of replacing teachers with technology. It’s a matter of leveraging technology to do what it does best…engaging with a kid.’ As a former teacher and now adjunct professor at several educational institutions, Dr. Wimberley understands the value that next-generation, personalized learning platforms bring to today’s educational landscapes, yet he reveals in many definitive statements and examples throughout the book the paramount guidance and value a quality teacher brings to this process. I wholeheartedly recommend this book for all individuals involved in education at any level. Dr. Wimberley’s passion for education resonates throughout the pages of Designed for Learning: Transferring Wisdom for Digital Generations as he draws from decades of education experience and offers sage wisdom on what it takes to motivate today’s student. The book toggles between theory and practice and confirms what research and educators have long believed – creating relationships with students that enhances their self-worth is critically important as educators prepare students for the complex world they are inheriting. Channeling the powerful imagery of shepherding, Dr. Wimberley systemically guides the reader through practical steps for engaging today’s digital-centric student. Schooling as we have previously known it has changed at an unprecedented pace; this said, every leader looking to transform learning environments to meet the needs of our complex world need to read this book. Dr. Wimberley has penned true words of wisdom that reach out and minister to those educators with a Shepard’s heart. He provides them with a clear and concise roadmap to bring a strong moral code into the classroom without involving religion or politics while building a solid educational foundation within the country’s future leaders. By incorporating classic curriculum into the digital era of pedagogy, he is equipping shepherds to empower and inspire students into a lifelong love affair of learning. This book is for those with a heart-felt desire to see what is good and virtuous borne in classrooms and spread to world for the benefit of everyone. As a 25+ year veteran of the classroom - finding success at the secondary, undergraduate, and graduate level – I have become keenly aware that today’s educational model is not in the best interest of our students – our teachers – our future. In Designed for Learning: Transferring Wisdom to Digital Generations, Dr. Alan Wimberley speaks to the very heart of the pedagogical framework that will meet the needs of today’s learners. I highly recommended it. Multiple times throughout the reading, the author had me wanting to jump out of my seat to shout, "YES!" Educators at every level would benefit from the insight and understanding that Dr. Wimberley brings forth.