We are at a turning point in our history where there is a choice of widening the gap of inequalities or creating a system of collaboration with the understanding that the future of our world depends on it. Stephen Hawking, world renowned physicist, doesn't give humanity much time left on earth as they have and continue to damage and misuse it beyond repair. And he may be right if we continue as we are without changing our approach to learning and education. It is time to change the picture to one that will help us reclaim Earth for humanity rather than toss it aside. The main focus of this book is to offer a foundation for understanding the philosophy behind the Matrix of a Learner as well as the importance and responsibility we have to our own success as well as the success of those individuals whose Matrixes we influence. My hope is that you will come to understand that learning is a lifelong process that goes beyond the classroom walls. The book questions and explores a way towards empowering more successful individuals, tolerant and supportive peers, sustainable communities, an educated populace, and a peaceful world. If we can't ask, how do we learn. If we don't learn, how do we solve problems to give back to the betterment of society. Examples and stories within the book are based on my travels and work in various countries.
About the Author: Tracy Hanson earned a Bachelor's degree in Elementary and Special Education and two Master degrees in Curriculum Development and Educational Administration. She spent 15 years as an elementary teacher for grades 1-3. Entering education with a vision to make learning fun and relevant to students and their communities, she left frustrated and discouraged. She went on as an educator for medically fragile, multi-handicapped children, Educational Interventionist with birth to 3 children, developing and running an Out-of-District educational program for grades 6-8, re-educating those recovering from mental breakdowns to even running a daycare center. Her dissatisfaction with the status quo led her to search for a different approach to learning. During an educational conference, she expressed her frustrations to Tom Vander Ark, now CEO of Getting Smart who suggested she "create her own." She began teaching online with children in Kibera, a ghetto outside of Nairobi, Kenya. This became Mistacres School, a licensed private school for children up through grade 8. Unfortunately, the classes were held virtually and it lost its certificate based on the lack of children in physical attendance. Not being deterred, she developed K12 Next Generation, later renamed Next Generation Global Education (NGGE), an NGO licensed in Florida, USA. After a conversation with Barbara Bray, fellow educator, friend and creator of Rethinking Learning, she understood learning can't be scripted. She began to ask questions about learning; what is it, its purpose, who's a learner, what supports the learner, why are so many children leaving educational systems or worse yet, graduating without any usable knowledge. Questions along with her broad experiences lead her to develop the Matrix of a Learner. In 2015, she took the Matrix to a number of countries to be discussed and analyzed. She discovered the Matrix wasn't a way for building learning but a process to better learning; about self, about family, about friends and peers, about their communities and about their world. Learning can't be prescribed, predetermined by governments, test to "Mastery. Learning must be about using your knowledge to give back to others making a better place. Now, at 68, she's started Matrix Manor; An International Learning Environment in Cherthala, Allappuza, Kerala, India. Her purpose is to create a place for others to explore and discover the power and uses off the Matrix of a Learner.