I have been working on the Connection Lens book pretty steady for about a year and a half. Because my time is limited, my writing time takes the place of my blogging time. My books, I feel, have a reflective tone and they do somewhat fill my reflective practitioner niche, but nothing really takes the place of blogging for a powerful reflection experience.
So here I am.
What an amazing time we had on Saturday November 7th, 2020 during the Connection Lens book launch. I was so please with the number of friends, colleagues, CBL faithful, and new folk that joined the event. John Hollingsworth, comedian, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker was the consummate host, keeping the event going smoothly, asking tough questions, keeping us focused. Writer of the book's foreword, Dr. Jennifer Williams beautifully shared her connection to me, CBL, and her Teach Boldly passion. Ziauddin Yousafzai, writer of the book's afterword, told a bit of his story about his work in Swat Valley, making connections for his work promoting girls' education. The Connection Lens articulated his view of how education should be. Theresa Laflèche explained her connection with the book as editor and homeschool parent. The speaker lineup did not disappoint.
Here is a recording of the event:
The launch did what it was supposed to do. Not only did it introduce the book to the world, but the event launched the book to an Amazon #1 Best Seller in Educational Reform. I am pleased about this, not for the acclaim, but that I really think these ideas need to get out there. I am excited for anything that can help spread this work to the masses to better the educational landscape.
Thanks to everyone at the launch, and thanks to you, for your interest in CBL. As I mentioned at the launch, you can really help the work by doing three things:
1) Pick up the book from Amazon
- For a price of a Starbucks coffee you can help support the work of connections-based learning and bring the power of the Connection Lens to your sphere of influence. Visit your country's Amazon site and search for "The Connection Lens" or go directly to the Amazon.com site here: bit.ly/CBLbook2
2) Use the book
- Read the book. Use the material in your work. Start a book club and read it with your colleagues. Put these ideas into practice to develop your own connection lens.
3) Review the book
- 5-Star reviews are a great way to get these ideas noticed. Connections-based learning is a grassroots initiative that is bottom up, not top down. The more positive reviews, the more we can get our message out there: human connection makes a difference.
Here is a taste of the book:
And again, thanks for your support. Together we can make classrooms a place of meaning, motivation, and a chance to make a difference for children everywhere.
I am very excited to share with the CBL blog devotees a first look at a special opportunity. I have been hinting at a new CBL book in the works and it is finally here. Connections-based Learning: A Framework for Teaching and Learning in a Connected World started the conversation on leveraging connection in our teaching. But the three lenses of CBL needed drilling down. I began work on a book that would focus on the first of the three lenses, the Connection Lens. Entitled The Connection Lens: Teach with the Power of Human Connection, this new work helps any educator begin approaching teaching with a mindset of connection. The book will be available starting November 7th, 2020 and I want to launch it with a bang. Head to bit.ly/CBLparty to sign up for a spot to join the release party.
Now, more than ever, we need to harness human connection and so I am excited to get this book out. With a foreword by Dr. Jen Williams and an afterword by Ziauddin Yousafzai, Malala's father, the ideas in this book are well supported by researchers in the education community. The online book launch party over Zoom planned for November 7th is at 7am Pacific Time and I would love to have you join this event. Educators around the world will be joining myself and friends to hear about this new work. This early time is to accommodate a global audience. Daylight Savings Time changes on November 1st so please check carefully what 7am PST/10am EST would look like for you on November 7.
Use this link to register: https://bit.ly/CBLparty and share the link with your friends and colleagues. Keep in mind that I only have room for 300 so register as early as you can.
FREE eBook!!
On the leadup to The Connection Lens launch party, I will be offering the eBook of the first book in the CBL series for FREE!! Visit your preferred Amazon site and search for "Connections-based Learning" between Saturday, October 24th and Wednesday, October 28, 2020 to pick up Connections-based Learning: A Framework for Teaching and Learning absolutely FREE!
Here is my talk about CBL at EdmodoCon 2019 in Miami, Florida entitled Let There Be Light: Empowering Students Through Connections-Based Learning. Much thanks to Edmodo for giving me the opportunity to gather together with some amazing educators and share my thoughts at the event.
