Education

Tod Maffin has an unusual educational background. Self-taught from grade nine, he has become one of the leading commentators on the influence of technology on the education system.

“The teams were very tired when they came in. And then, everything changed. Your presentation was the buzz of the halls and team rooms all day. It got them driving through the hardest day of this workshop.”
– Simon Fraser University

Learning in a Digital World:
How Technology is Changing The Way Students Learn

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In a world where two thirds of kids spend more time in front of a computer than a television set, are we unknowingly re-shaping the learning patterns of children? Is living in a remote control world helping or hindering education? What key things has our networked world already taught young people behind our back, and how kids are coping with learning in the hypermedia environment we’ve handed them.

In this thought-provoking, fast-paced 45-minute presentation, Tod will dive into the latest neurological research around cognitive development — and, using dozens of short videos and custom images, make it simple to understand. You’ll fly through the brain’s learning centres and discover how media multitasking is changing actual cognitive brain structures at the cellular level.

Comments from Session evaluation forms, Calgary Teachers’ Convention, February 2008:

  • “Provocative, stimulating, new information — wow. Excellent!”
  • “Outstanding, provocative thoughts about 21s-century learning learning and how multutasking and technology could actually be damaging the brains of learners. More educators need to listen to Tod’s message!”
  • “Applicable to my current teaching situation.”
  • “Excellent seminar — for parents and teachers alike — one all teachers should have attended!”
  • “Brilliant, engaging, stimulating!”
  • “Entertaining, informatice, engaging, humourous, and most of all personal!”
  • “Does he do full-day sessions? Could we bring Tod in next year on a common PD day? Get him back!”

The Problem With Rock Tumblers:
Why Our Education System is in Urgent Crisis (and How to Fix It)

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The “system” means well, but it’s slowly asphyxiating the future of education. In this provocative keynote address, Tod Maffin identifies the primary ways the education system is taking the “rough stones” of learners and tries to grind and polish their way to education — while actually scraping away the culture and uniqueness the learners bring. Maffin’s five steps to repairing this damage will get your conference delegates talking days after the address.

Media Coverage

“Tod is one of our guest speakers. The students love him!”
– William Koty, University of British Columbia