Paradigm Inertia Archives - Learning Stewards

Now What Should Children Learn?

February 7, 2024February 6, 2024 by Learning-Activist

Today’s children will become adults in a world beyond the imaginations of their parents and teachers. Given such unprecedented uncertainty about the future, what should children learn?

Could the Universe be Life-Centric?

December 8, 2025December 26, 2023 by Learning-Activist

Could the universe be adapting to life as part of the same process through which life is adapting to the universe?

A.I. on the Science of Reading

August 26, 2024December 20, 2023 by Learning-Activist

Indeed the established assumptions about the inherent stagnancy of text permanently dictate this offline, strategy-based model of reading instruction.

BBC: What Does Reading On Screens Do To Our Brains?

December 17, 2023 by Learning-Activist

The difference between “learning to read on paper” and “learning to read on screens” is a very important conversation.

John Steinbeck on “The Horrible Task of Learning to Read”

January 17, 2026October 31, 2023 by Learning-Activist

This book is always right next to me when I am working. Every time I see it I am reminded of how it changed my life. It still blows me away. It was about 24 years ago. My then six-year-old daughter and I were at a garage sale on the island of Kauai. I remember … Read more

Paradigm Inertia: Science of Reading

July 14, 2025July 31, 2023 by Learning-Activist

You See What Your Knowledge Tells You To See Paradigms are the mental infrastructures that connect and unify the mental models through which we experience the world. Because paradigms, like religious beliefs, can become so deeply rooted in our identities, they can be very hard to change. Sometimes they are hard to change for scientific … Read more

Paradigm Inertia: Unscientific Learning

September 30, 2025July 27, 2023 by Learning-Activist

There are many reasons paradigms are hard to change, some of them are scientific, but the most powerful reasons are personal, emotional, and thoroughly unscientific.

Paradigm Inertia: Oppenheimer

August 12, 2025July 25, 2023 by Learning-Activist

There are many reasons paradigms are hard to change, some of them are scientific, but the most powerful form of resistance is more personal.

Ultimately what’s going to shift the behavior of the country over the long-term is understanding how fundamental this [healthy learning] is to everybody through the economic channel. …We must come up with a way of describing, measuring, and supporting the health of children’s learning. It is the unhealthy learning environments that are the problem.

Yes, that’s the message. That’s the message you’ve got to get across. Arthur Rolnick Senior V.P. and Director of Research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, and Associate Economist with the Federal Open Market Committee.

It’s not that somebody ‘knows’ the current science, because the current science might be wrong. But it’s that somebody knows how to learn about new science, and adapt. It’s also how they learn to adapt to workplaces… how to learn to do something that they had never even thought about doing when they were in school. That’s the key element. Dr. Eric Hanushek Paul and Jean Hanna Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution of Stanford University.

So then the fundamental intention of our education system must be to use knowledge, skills and experience not just as the end, but as the means through which we’re exercising how well someone is able to participate and become self-extending in learning what they need to learn when they need to learn it.

Precisely.

The Institute for the Study and Prevention of ACQUIRED Learning Disabilities.

“This is critical to the future of our society as a whole! I thoroughly enjoyed the presentation and cannot begin to put into words how powerful it was. The general message (Healthy Learning) being spread is something that everyone needs to hear and understand in order to maximize the learning and success of future generations. The one-day experience was remarkable and unforgettable!” – J. Shirron, Teacher, LodiUSD, Lodi CA

“The most powerful professional development experience I have ever had. This was truly an awakening for me! – Julie Colley Lowery, Education Specialist, Alabama State Department of Education, Special Education Services

“A Mind-Blowing Way to View Learning. While many of us have observed this effect on an intuitive level, it took writer, researcher, and learning activist David Boulton to express the problem of incomplete learning in terms of its devastating effect on kids.” – Patricia Kokinos at ChangeTheSchools.com

“You made a wonderful contribution. The topics have stimulated classroom discussions. We are extremely pleased with the impact made in our community. ALL the comments heard from the registration people, people in our classes this week, table discussion leaders etc. have been positive. You are great. The BIG picture was outstandingly FINE!” – Linda Koehler, Professor of Special Education, University of Central Missouri

“The training was extraordinary! Six months later, conversations are still occurring around thoughts from that event. It was the easiest and best event we have done! Thank you for outstanding professionalism and customer service while delivering dynamic, relevant information and challenge!” – Mary Ashe, Coordinator,The Literacy Connection Project Enlightenment, Raleigh, North Carolina

More comments about PL/PD events
NOTABLE PAST LIVE EVENTS:

Science of Educating Conference – National School Mental Health Association – 21st Century Learning Initiative – World Futurist Society – PBS: New Science of Learning – Future of Learning Keynotes for Apple – New American Schools Design Team – National Technological University – California Education Summit – Dalian Medical University (China) – International Dyslexia Association – Nebraska School Psychologists Association – South Carolina Education and Business Summit – Scientific Learning’s National Circle of Learning – Lindamood-Bell Conference – Carus Foundation – Contra Costa Literacy Coalition – Convocation for New Britain Schools – Burnaby School District – JP Associates – University of Greenville SC – ACE of Florida – Michigan Council for Exceptional Children – Florida State Literacy Coalition – United Way – Rotary International – National Center for Family Literacy – Fundamental Learning Center – Wyoming State Education Leadership

“After listening to David Boulton, who explained and played several video interviews in his (National Circle of Learning Conference) keynote address, it was as if the pieces of the puzzle magically appeared and fit into place.” – N. Schmidt, Trainer, Onondaga Cortland Madison County BOCES, Syracuse, New York

“Clear explanations that do not focus on the blame game but work toward solutions. This was a tremendous awakening! This much needed information must be spread to the masses!” – B. Smyzer, Educator

“You are doing a great service – you are a voice crying in the wilderness about a problem that is very real right now & is only going to get worse (given the ongoing demographic changes of the US) AND you are presenting the way to help (rather than just admiring the problem!) you’ve done (& continue to do) outstandingly well!!! good show! good work!” – Dr. B. Stone, Psychologist, Kansas