Bonus Episode 11 – 9 Billion Schools Interview with Dick Thomas and Lauren Della Bella

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In this bonus episode, we are speaking with Dick Thomas and Lauren Della Bella – coauthors of 9 Billion Schools – Why the World Needs Lifelong Personalized Learning for All.

Dick Thomas is vice president of architecture for SHP, a nationally recognized architecture firm focused on learning spaces of all kinds. Celebrating over 20 years of practice with the firm, Dick’s education portfolio reflects a wide spectrum of facility planning and design solutions. Dick has participated on long-range planning committees, assisted with curriculum strategy panels and developed strategic standards. As a former member of a future-oriented innovation board for a major technology company, he has a keen interest in how technology can facilitate the rapidly changing approaches to learning in all its manifestations. His first co-written book, 9 Billion Schools: Why the World Needs Personalized, Lifelong Learning for All, examines the importance of reimagining the worldwide approach towards education and learning in light of an expanding population and an increasingly rapid development of technology.

Lauren Della Bella is president of SHP, a nationally recognized architecture firm focused on learning spaces of all kinds. She is the first woman to lead the firm in its 100-plus-year history. Lauren spearheaded the development of SHP’s highly regarded community-engagement process, and launched Insite Magazine, an award-winning publication dedicated to innovative design ideas and industry success stories. Under her leadership the firm has become an authority on sustainability and 21st-century educational design. Her passion for design, education and planning is evidenced in her leadership roles in several industry groups. She currently serves as president of the Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati and an executive board member of the Design Futures Council.

This is what we talked about:

1. Let’s begin with a personal story about how you got connected to the need for personalized learning for all.
2. You share about your book, “Every single person on Earth should be considered a school unto him- or herself. That’s because, for maximum human flourishing, learning should be a highly personalized experience that lasts an entire lifetime.” Tell us what you mean by this?
3.  In section one, you share the foundations for the 9 billions schools movement. What is the why and the how?
4. In section two, you highlight the first 20% of life and talk about national parks, early innovation, collaboration, and play. Share with us a couple of you ideas from this section with our listeners.
5. In section 3, you focus on the remaining 80% of life. We made connections to our Profile of a Graduate in this section. We need to be able to think together, and practice curiosity and empathy.  Why is this important to the 9 billion schools movement?
6. Before we invite you to share what is next for you, let’s hear your ideas about our lightning response questions:
   • Who is one expert our listener’s should connect with to learn more about lifelong personalized learning?
   • If you were recommending one book to our listeners, what would it be?
   • What online site/resource/person do you learn from regularly?
7. What’s next for you? What are you working on that you’d like to share?