For immediate release | February 11, 2014

Educational technology expert David Warlick keynotes AASL Fall Forum

91´«Ã½

CHICAGO – David Warlick, recently named one of the 10 most influential people in educational technology by Technology & Learning Magazine, will serve as keynote speaker and primary facilitator at the American Association of School Librarians’ 2014 Fall Forum. Taking place Oct. 17-18, School Librarians in the Anytime Anywhere Learning Landscape, will convene in St. Louis and broadcast to nine satellite sites across the country. For more information and to register, visit .

“The committee was drawn to David Warlick because he continues to remind educators that today's students employ a growing number of devices to complete their learning tasks,” said Fall Forum Committee Chair Steven Yates. “David recognizes school librarians are uniquely placed to lead students and colleagues as schools continue to become places of anytime, anywhere learning. His thoughts will set the stage for a weekend of deep conversation, inspiring informed action after the forum to foster a culture where blended learning is a welcome, expected, and exciting norm.”

Warlick explains, “We are educating a generation of youngsters today that is unique in many ways. Not the least of these is a prevailing culture that they have, themselves, collaboratively shaped and defined. Salient to schools is that this culture is almost entirely based on information. They consume it, share it, produce and publish it, and play their games in ways that help them to explore and define their own identities. In many ways, the rules of these experiences are not unlike the pedagogies we use to support their leaning. Understanding the qualities of their outside-of-school information experiences may help us to transform our libraries and librarianship in ways that start to transcend the boundaries of time and space.”

Warlick’s unique voice and message combine a wide range of experiences, both in and outside the education arena. He worked for nearly 10 years as a middle school social studies, math and science teacher, during which he also wrote some of the earliest award-winning instructional software. From there, Warlick moved to the North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction, where he served as a technology integration consultant.

Warlick is the author of four books about technology, contemporary literacy and lifelong learning and has contributed to other publications, including Technology & Learning Magazine, AASL Knowledge Quest, Education World and CUE Online. As principal consultant of The Landmark Project, a professional development and innovations firm, Warlick has spoken at conferences and delivered workshops for educators throughout the U.S and internationally. It is not only his range of experience that makes Warlick a highly effective and sought-after speaker but his passion and enthusiasm for helping people discover a brand new world of teaching and learning.

“Librarians have always been at the forefront of mobile learning, even back centuries ago in the days of print-only circulating collections,” said Gail Dickinson, AASL president. “It is no surprise that librarians again are implementing the new teaching and learning strategies involved in today’s technologically advanced anywhere anytime learning. David exemplifies the theme that it’s not about the tools and resources that libraries own, but rather how librarians can encourage new teaching strategies and new opportunities for student learning through those tools and resources.”

Registration for the AASL 2014 Fall Forum is now open at . Rates prior to Sept. 17 are AASL member: $289; 91´«Ã½ member: $339; and nonmember: $404. AASL members can also opt to attend with their administrator, technology/curriculum specialist or an AASL student member at a special AASL member PLUS rate of $520. The PLUS member rate includes the AASL member and one of the above guests. Registration rates increase on Sept 18.

The AASL Fall Forum is a multi-day national institute held during non-AASL national conference years. A more intimate event, the institute focuses on one topic of importance to the profession. School Librarians in the Anytime Anywhere Learning Landscape will be held Oct. 17-18, 2014, in St. Louis and across the country at nine satellite sites. More information can be found at www.ala.org/aasl/fallforum.

The American Association of School Librarians, , a division of the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½), promotes the improvement and extension of library services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library field.

Contact:

Jennifer Habley

Manager, Web Communications

American Association of School Librarians (AASL)

jhabley@ala.org

312-280-4383