Adapting Learning for a Time of Abundance — Insights from Dave Cormier

About the Episode: 

We’re pleased to have Dave Cormier, author of “Learning in a Time of Abundance,” on the show this week to explore the transformative shifts in education driven by digital abundance and technological advancements. Dave, with his extensive background in educational technology and a pioneering role in the development of MOOCs, delves into the challenges and opportunities presented by the current educational landscape. This discussion highlights the need for a paradigm shift from traditional models of learning to embrace the complexities and richness of information abundance, underscoring the importance of critical thinking, digital literacy, and adaptive learning methodologies in today's society.

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Key Takeaways

• Abundant Information Requires New Learning Habits: Traditional education models, designed for information scarcity, are no longer effective in a world where information seeks us out rather than the other way around.
• Critical Thinking in the Digital Age: In a time when students can easily access information and even citations, it’s crucial to teach them how to discern trustworthy sources and contextualize information.
• The Role of Generative AI: Tools like ChatGPT are not a threat but an opportunity to rethink how we approach education, moving from rote memorization to fostering creativity and critical thinking.
• Reevaluating Traditional Assignments: Long-standing academic practices like essays may need to evolve to encourage deeper engagement and learning outcomes, rather than simple compliance.
• Guiding Values for Learning: Educators should prioritize humility, trust, and values to help students navigate complex, nuanced information and make thoughtful decisions.

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Episode Summary

The Concept of Learning in a Time of Abundance

Dave Cormier’s book Learning in a Time of Abundance tackles the challenges of education in a world overflowing with information. He argues that traditional teaching methods—designed for an era of information scarcity—are failing to equip students for the complexities of today’s abundant information landscape. Instead of memorizing facts, students must learn to evaluate, contextualize, and apply information critically.

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How Abundance is Changing Higher Education

Higher education faces an existential crisis as tools like generative AI disrupt traditional learning models. Cormier explains that assignments such as essays, once a hallmark of critical thinking, have become exercises in box-checking for students who now rely on AI and other tools to complete them. Institutions must adapt by focusing on what they truly value in learning—be it creativity, memory, or problem-solving—and designing processes that align with those goals.

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Generative AI: A Threat or an Opportunity?

Generative AI has sparked fear among educators, but Cormier encourages embracing this technology to reimagine education. AI offers opportunities to shift away from rote learning and toward fostering deeper engagement, creativity, and decision-making skills. For example, students can use AI tools to analyze and synthesize information, allowing instructors to focus on teaching how to evaluate and interpret data critically.

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The Future of Learning

Cormier emphasizes the importance of cultivating humility, trust, and values in the learning process. With so much information available, students need the skills to make thoughtful decisions based on their personal values and the ability to trust reliable sources. This shift requires educators to rethink their approaches, from how they structure courses to how they assess learning outcomes.

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About the Show: The Higher Ed Geek Podcast explores the impact of edtech on the student experience by speaking with diverse leaders from institutions, companies, and nonprofit organizations. Each week we aim to provide an engaging, fun, and relevant dose of professional development that honors the wide range of work happening all across the higher ed ecosystem. Come geek out with us! The Higher Ed Geek Podcast is hosted by Dustin Ramsdell and is a proud member of the Enrollify Podcast Network.

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