Carl Hooker
Professional LearningHandcrafted and customized to your needs
Looking for a dynamic, interactive speaker for your district or conference? Maybe some innovative ideas on how to integrate technology in meaningful ways? Bring in Carl to engage and inspire your staff today!
My background in professional learning:
In my 21+ years in education and professional learning, I’ve always tried to create an atmosphere that inspires the creative mind and encourages collaboration. I’ve lead professional learning for multiple school districts, organized a wide-variety of professional learning conference events, and delivered hundreds of keynotes. My half-day and full-day “Learnshops” can be geared around a variety of topics and initiatives centered around district vision and campus needs.
My Beliefs Around Professional Learning:
Learning is an active, team sport
Traditional “sit n’ get” trainings are centered around the idea that the trainer is the expert. In my Learnshops, the experts are everyone in the room. I often include some sort of collaborative challenge or competition that can motivate even the most reluctant learner.
Movement is important...and science!
Adults require some sort of transition every 18-20 minutes to stay actively engaged in the learning. Whether I’m giving a keynote to thousands or a learning session of 20, I make sure to incorporate movement so the learners aren’t sedentary.
Practical tools, thoughtfully embedded
Through all my trainings and keynotes, I try and not make it about the latest and greatest tech tools or apps. Technology tools and apps can enhance learning, but we need to focus on the learning, not the tool.
My Approach
David Weinberger says “The smartest person in the room, is the room.” My style and delivery is centered around humor, collaboration and real-world applications. I try to embrace and model thoughtful risk-taking and failure in all in my sessions as a way to encourage learners to open up their own creativity. The main driving force behind all of my sessions is the question, “would I be an engaged attendee during this session?” I use multiple tools and strategies to engage audience members and also encourage reflection time to internalize what they have learned.
Featured Publications On Professional Learning
Articles
- It’s Time to Make Learning Fun Again…Even for Adults Edutopia
- 10 Demands for Summer Professional Learning Tech & Learning
- What’s the Best Model to Support Technology Integration? HookedOnInnovation.com
Mobile Learning Mindset Book Series
- For Coaches – Tons of professional learning strategies that I employ in many of my sessions.
- For Teachers – Tools for teachers to use regardless of device or access to technology
- For District Leaders – Ideas for coordinating district vision and goals with professional learning.