Extra Credit

I am torn between two books one is Dr. Seuss Oh the Places You’ll Go because although it is a children’s book it has a very upbeat sort of learn friendly, empowering book about a sort of mentality that the sky is the limit. The book is often introduced to young kids to show and teach them to dream big and think big, but I think as adults a simple approach or reminder that you should still pursue big dreams with childlike innocence is important.
The second selection would be Thomas Friedman’s The World is Flat. This summer I had the opportunity to hear Mr. Friedman speak to a room full of educators and his message is important to our youth especially in higher education to read this book. This book talks about our growing culture and the merging of languages, technology, and communication that is changing our job market, education goals, and many aspects of everyday life. The concept is that the world is shrinking in terms of international relations and that if we (USA) do in fact want to remain the dominant power in many aspects of education and lead the world economically, technologically, etc. we need to pick up the pace and be more competitive. The skills our youth need are changing so are the ways children should be taught so that they remain competitive with other cultures who at a much younger age are learning second, and third languages while increasing skills in math and science. The book essentially makes many predictions about our future and what it will take to be competitive and about a newly forming race of intellectuals with new skills and new ways to obtain those skills. For these reasons I feel it is necessary for our students to realize first what is expected and second what they are up against.