EAWLC Dialogue with Berlin Fang: Effective Learning in the Age of Surplus

The abundance of learning resources and various opportunities in this age are overwhelming, not to mention the distractions of social media and video games. It is an “Age of Surplus”. How to learn effectively is a problem that affects us all in this time. Dr. Berlin Fang is the author of two influential books “Learning in the Age of Surplus” and “Knowledge Is Not Power”, among many others. Dr. Frank Wang, a mechanical engineer, also an avid reader, and an educational columnist, is keen on developing learning and concentration abilities in the new age. The East and West Learning Connections is honored to invite both to have a discussion on effective learning in the age of surplus, as well as new learning methods advocated by researchers and experts.

We welcome everyone to send us questions in advance.

Guest Speaker Introduction

Dr. Berlin Fang is an educational columnist, literary translator, and expert at instructional design.  His major interests are faculty acceptance of educational technology, the diffusion of innovation, managed change, the ethnography of technology use in higher education, and cross-cultural comparisons of education.   He has over 20 years of experience in instructional design and educational technology in both China and the United States. Berlin is currently the Director of Instructional Design at Abilene Christian University. 

Berlin Fang contributes his writing to such publications as Educause Review, WISE Ed Review China Daily, Southern Weekend, South Metropolitan Daily, Chinese Education News, World Journal,  Overseas Chinese News, Financial Times (Chinese), New York Times (Chinese), Radio Netherlands, and Caixin News.  His books include 10 Lessons in Online Teaching,  Learning in an Age of Abundance, Beyond Knowledge, More than the Passing Grade, English: Trick or Truth, A Translator’s Rant, Don’t Get Old until You’re Wiser, Tea Eggs Under the Star and Spangled Banner, and How the Pamuks Read. 

As a literary translator, Berlin’s works include translations of The Sound and the Fury (by William Faulkner), Bend of the River (by V.S. Naipaul), A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (by Betty Smith),  and Let the Great World Spin (by Colum McCann) and Songdogs (by Colum McCann). National Book Award winner Colum McCann considers him “one of the finest translators I have ever worked with: he is incisive, discerning, and imaginative. He is a trans-national figure, deeply involved in cultures of China, the United States, and Ireland. While working with him, I found that he crosses cultural boundaries with ease and grace. ”

Frank Wang is a professional engineer in Ontario who has worked in areas of robotics & automation, aerospace engineering, and nuclear engineering.  A Ph.D. from University of Toronto in Mechanical Engineering, and most proudly a father of three, Frank cares very much about learning, education, and their trends in this rapidly changing world.  He runs a book club for parents, advocating for lifetime study and generalist education. In his spare time, he enjoys writing columns for online magazines on education, among other hobbies.  In 2020, Frank facilitated two dialogues at the East and West Learning Connections, one with Zhihu honorary contributor Yingfeng Zhang on generalist education, the other with human resource development strategist Annie Wang on future career and education trends.  This time let’s hear what Frank and Berlin will bring to us about effective learning!

Time: Friday, September 3, 2021, at 8:00-9:30 P.M. (Eastern Time)

Language: Mandarin

Cost: Free

Zoom registration link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrd-2rpjkuHtZYdATW-SKIlAu47h43eIN6

Everybody is welcome to join the dialogue.  Don’t miss the opportunity to get some insight and foresight of two experts.  Bring your own questions to discuss with Berlin and Frank, and make the evening even more fruitful for you!

For inquiries, please contact us at info@eawlc.org.  Thanks!