Learner-Centered Publications

Learner-Centered Collaborative leaders Dr. Devin Vodicka, CEO, and Dr. Katie Martin, CIO, have written books on learner-centered leadership, learner-centered innovation, and evolving education.

These works serve as resources for leaders and educators just getting started or optimizing long-standing learner-centered practices.

Learner-Centered Leadership

A Blueprint for Transformational Change in Learning Communities
by Devin Vodicka

In “Learner-Centered Leadership,” Devin offers a deeply researched and urgent blueprint for orienting education around the strengths, interests, and needs of individual learners. He makes a compelling argument for the wisdom in giving students the resources to draw their own learning paths and the power of reimagining schools as centers for the intellectual and social development of lifelong learners prepared for a rapidly-changing world. Drawing from theories of the mind, change management, and organizational transformation as well as the author’s own experience leading a school district through change, this book serves as an important guide to creating a learner-centered approach to education.

Evolving Education

Shifting to a Learner-Centered paradigm
by Katie Martin

The COVID crisis presented challenges for educators everywhere. As we move beyond that time, we can choose to return to the way things were, or we can see this break from “normal” as an opportunity to transform our teaching practices for the better, intentionally leave behind those that don’t best serve all learners and educators, and be more intentional about incorporating what matters most: relationships, connection, purpose, flexibility, agency, and authentic learning.

In Evolving Education, Dr. Katie Martin advocates for a much-needed shift to a learner-centered teaching model. Learner-centered education creates purposeful, personalized, authentic, and competency-based experiences that help students develop skills that empower them to learn, grow, and solve problems that matter to them and others. Following on Martin’s previous book, Learner-Centered Innovation, Evolving Education offers a deeper dive into how educators can harness new technologies, learning sciences, and pedagogy that center learners and learning. After all, Martin argues, if we truly want to develop knowledge, habits, and skills in students, we have to know them, love them, and help them see the full beauty of who they are and what they can become.

Learner-Centered Innovation

Spark Curiosity, Ignite Passion and Unleash Genius
by Katie Martin

Our changing world demands creative thinkers and collaborative problem solvers, but too often, schools stifle growth and discovery in favor of getting through the curriculum or preparing for “the test.” Learning opportunities and teaching methods must evolve to match the ever-changing needs of today’s learners.

When we tell kids to complete an assignment, we get compliance. When we empower learners to explore and learn how to make an impact on the world, we inspire problem solvers and innovators. This required change in education involves more than providing training for administrators and teachers to implement new curricula or programs; it demands that we, as teachers and leaders, create an environment where learners at every level are empowered to take risks in pursuit of learning and growth rather than perfection.

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