Raw Materials for the Mind

I just finished David Warlick’s book, Raw Materials for the Mind. David is a terrific writer (and speaker) and lays out how the digital age has transformed how we can (and should) learn. Two of his summary points stand out:

Citing Sources (p.192):

1. Always cite your sources
2. Seek permission when possible

Seek Professional Development (p.288-9):

• Form a community,
• Set goals,
• Continue to learn, and
• Share.

While both of these concepts are basic, they are at the foundation of learning. Also, they have nothing to do with technology specifcally. They apply to the basic tenets of learning from the beginning of time. All technology has done is provided new access in new ways to information and people. We have spent a lot of time getting distracted by the latest cool tools, and gotten away from the business of learning. There is a ton of great information on technology tools in this book which is worth the read, but at the end of the day, its about learning.

Book citation:
Warlick, David. Raw Materials for the Mind. Raleigh, NC: The Landmark Project, 2005.