Becoming a Learner by Matthew L. Sanders - Second Edition, 2018 from Macmillan Student Store
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Becoming a Learner

Realizing the Opportunity of EducationSecond Edition ©2018 Matthew L. Sanders

Matt Sanders wrote Becoming a Learner to challenge students to rethink the conventional idea that one should attend college and obtain a degree to get a better job. Their parents have likely reinforced this philosophy throughout their childhood. This text invites students to consider that t...
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Becoming a Learner by Matthew L. Sanders - Second Edition, 2018 from Macmillan Student Store

Challenges students to focus on who they want to become in college and on their ability to learn

Matt Sanders wrote Becoming a Learner to challenge students to rethink the conventional idea that one should attend college and obtain a degree to get a better job. Their parents have likely reinforced this philosophy throughout their childhood. This text invites students to consider that the primary purpose of college is to learn how to “Become a Learner” rather than obtain a specific set of professional skills to get a specific job. When students approach education to help them develop as critical thinkers and problem solvers, they will ultimately grow as a person and have a much richer life experience in college. Interestingly, they also become a more desirable job candidate for employers
because they embrace learning as an ongoing part of life which is necessary in every profession.

Features

  • Compelling, simple message for First Year Experience students
  • The Becoming a Learner text content can be added to any Macmillan Learning college success text with our custom publishing services
  • Quick read for students
  • Opens students minds to having an academic conversation about learning and the purpose of college

New to This Edition

The 2nd edition of Becoming a Learner has been modified to address the following:

  • Improved framing of book’s thesis and key themes
  • Section on communication skills in chapter 2 has been revised and reframed to match research showing importance of communication competence to employers
  • New “distracting conversation” section in chapter 3 that challenges the assumption that college is just about getting a piece of paper
  • New reflection questions added to chapter 5

"It is a rare experience when students voice the opinion that a book should be required reading for everyone. But this was exactly the response of my students to Becoming a Learner. It gave them the tools to rethink their own experience and to become reflective and thoughtful about their education. This book will stay with your students long after any single course has ended."
– Maria Hegbloom, Assistant Professor of Communication at Bridgewater State University


"Becoming a Learner has transformed the orientation process at Utah State University.  Students now begin with an honest conversation about why they are pursuing higher education and what characteristics they hope to develop. Once they have clarified that, students are better prepared to discuss orientation topics such as intentionally selecting courses, using resources, and overcoming challenges. I believe all students can benefit from reading this book."
– Lisa Hancock, Director of Student Orientation and Transition Services at Utah State University


"My copy of Becoming a Learner is marked, tagged and worn at this point. I have this book on my shelf in my office and have had comments from students that they have read it and that it has changed their thinking and behaviors."
– Tonya Jewell, Academic Advisor at Utah State University


"I think we really need to get the word out about Becoming a Learner. It fits so well with freshman and developmental writing courses. I paired it with several other readings related to succeeding in college and learning styles. The combination gave these struggling students the keys they need to succeed. For the first time for most of my students, they entered an academic conversation about learning and the purpose of college."
– Wendy King, Instructor at Arizona State University


"In Becoming a Learner, Sanders highlights what many authors have not articulated in recent times: that the fundamental function of higher education is to encourage people to become learners. Every time I use this book, I get the same reaction from students, ‘I had never thought of this and no one ever encouraged me to think about learning in this way!’ With this text, Sanders makes an appeal not to forget the fundamental reasons for why higher education exists in the first place."
– Wilfredo Alvarez, Assistant Professor of Communication at Northeastern Illinois University

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Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Edition
Introduction
Chapter 1: When Learning Job Skills is Not Enough
Chapter 2: Becoming a Learner
Chapter 3: Distracting Conversations
Chapter 4: Principles of Learning
Chapter 5: An Invitation
Acknowledgements
Notes and Bibliography

Matthew L. Sanders

Matthew L. Sanders is an Associate Professor of communication studies at Utah State University. He holds a Ph.D. in communication from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Matt conducts research in the areas of nonprofit organizations and student empowerment and his work has been published in academic journals in communication, business, and public administration. He is the author of the book Becoming a Learner: Realizing the Opportunity of Education, which is used in First Year Experience programs at several universities. Awards recognizing his work with students include being named Teacher of the Year for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (2010) at Utah State University; Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (2013) at Utah State University; Certificate of Merit – Outstanding New Faculty Advisor (2011) for the National Academic Advising Association; and the Graduate Teaching Impact Award for the Department of Communication (2008) at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Becoming a Learning: Framing the Purpose of a College Education

Author Talk

Matthew Sanders: Why he wrote the book

Author Talk