David Thornburg is an educational author, consultant, and futurist. Since the origin of the personal computer revolution, Thornburg has been a leading the way for applications of technology in the field of education. Dr. Thornburg is the founder and Director of Global Operations for the Thornburg Center. He is also a Senior Fellow of the Congressional Institute for the Future. He has written numerous books (among them Campfires in Cyberspace) and articles concerning the future of educational media. He also hosts a monthly PBS show, called Teaching With Technology, which deals with this same topic. Programs include:

The Future Isn't What It Used To Be: Trends Shaping The Future Of Work & Learning

2020 Visions For The Future Of Education

Surviving The Millennium: Skills And Tools For Success In The Next Century

The Future Of School: Disintermediation And Beyond

While the recipient of numerous awards, Thornton was recently "selected as one of twenty pioneers in the field of educational technology by ISTE in 1999".

Thornton's educational philosophy is based on the constructivist viewpoint. He feels that the best environment for student learning occurs when "students construct their own knowledge". Also, he feels that students must be taught in a way that respects their individual learning styles. The theme that "we must prepare students for their future, not for our past" is dominant in Thornton's work. Thornton currently provides staff development and performs research in the fields of multimedia, communication, and the future of education.

Publications

Campfires in Cyberspace

Teaching with Technology (for PBS)

Brainstorms and Lightning Bolts: Thinking Skills for the 21st Century

Putting the Web to Work: Transforming Education for the Next Century

Education in the Communication Age (Mac CD-ROM incl.)

Education, Technology and Paradigms of Change for the 21st Century

Edutrends 2010: Restructuring, Technology, and the Future of Education