The New Agenda: Achieving Personalized Learning Through Digital Convergence

K-12 education is facing its most significant tipping point in nearly a century. The accelerated rate of technological change is threatening the traditional structures, processes, and systems that have governed our nation's school systems since the Industrial Revolution. Now, superintendents and educational leaders are seeking innovative solutions to answer their most difficult questions and transform their districts for the modern age.

What can K-12 leaders learn from how the retail industry has embraced the digital revolution? How should superintendents and leaders approach the transformation of traditional classrooms to modern learning environments? Why does this change transcend the mere conversion from analog to digital and instead require the convergence of multiple components of the education system? These are just a few of the questions Dr. Shawn K. Smith answers in his latest book, The New Agenda.

As a former Chief of Schools and educator who now consults school systems across the country, Dr. Smith shares the practical strategies and insights that have helped some of today's most innovative minds advance the work of Digital Convergence, or the fundamental movement to transform teaching and learning for the modern age.

This book teaches educational leaders how to: Think strategically about digital convergence; Identify the processes for building your strategic plan; Understand the interdependencies of learning management systems, digital content, and digital tools; Design and develop a digital ecosystem; Implement processes for writing a digital and/or blended curriculum; Develop short-term and long-range professional learning plans for all employees in a school district. Despite its promise, technology has created significant challenges for K-12 leaders, who need new strategies to navigate its disruptive change. Whether you are struggling to evolve from the traditional classroom model or are preparing to engage in this important work, this is a must-read book that will forever change the way you think about twenty-first century education.

Shawn K. Smith is currently serving as President of Modern Teacher and is a national leader on issues surrounding digital education and pedagogy. He is compelled to preserve education's rich heritage and support America's teachers and leaders as they transition traditional classrooms into modern learning environments. He is an author, speaker, consultant, and rare book collector. He has one of the largest private collections of John Dewey's writings in the world.

Formerly Shawn was a teacher, principal, and Chief of Schools for 15 years in school districts in Illinois and California. He has made appearances on both Discovery and Learning channels as well as various radio, web, and podcast programs. Shawn holds degrees from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin (bachelor's degree, elementary education), the California State University, San Bernardino (master's degree, middle school education), and the University of Southern California (doctorate degree, urban education policy and leadership).