UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Award-winning author, journalist, and radio and TV personality Stephen J. Dubner will deliver the keynote address at the 2018 Symposium for Teaching and Learning with Technology, to be held Saturday, March 17, 2018, at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center.
Dubner is best known as co-author of the "Freakonomics" book series, which has sold more than 7 million copies in more than 40 countries. He also is the host of Freakonomics Radio, which gets 8 million monthly downloads and airs on NPR stations.
“Not only does Dubner use seemingly disparate data to tell surprising stories that help us better understand the world,” said Kyle Bowen, director of Teaching and Learning with Technology, “but he tells these stories with both a humor and a poignancy that can change the way you view things, make you smarter, and challenge your ideas.”
"Freakonomics," published in 2005, was an instant international best-seller and cultural phenomenon. "SuperFreakonomics" followed to similar acclaim in 2009, and in 2010 a documentary film version of "Freakonomics" was chosen as the closing film of the Tribeca Film Festival. "Think Like a Freak," published in 2014, immediately took up a long residency atop the international best-seller lists, and was followed by "When to Rob a Bank," a collection of posts from the "Freakonomics" blog, which has been called “the most readable economics blog in the universe.” His other books include "Turbulent Souls" (1998), "Confessions of a Hero-Worshiper" (2003), and the children's book "The Boy With Two Belly Buttons" (2007).
Dubner’s engaging speaking style and deep dive into data to find the unexpected makes him an ideal match for an event like the TLT Symposium, which celebrates the Penn State community’s innovative work in transforming education.
“His life’s work has been about making complex information accessible and relatable, which is so important in education,” Bowen said. “That’s just one reason why he’s a great choice to keynote our event.”
Register to hear Dubner’s keynote and experience the symposium at http://symposium.tlt.psu.edu/. This year's keynote is presented in partnership with the Penn State University Libraries.
About the TLT Symposium
The Symposium for Teaching and Learning with Technology is an annual event that brings together people and ideas that transform education. This year’s symposium includes energizing keynote speakers, inspiring concurrent sessions featuring the work of Penn State’s learning innovators, and opportunities to build partnerships that transform learning. The symposium is a free event that welcomes all Penn State faculty, staff and students.