AUBURN — The public is invited to a community talk by the co-author of a book that’s all the buzz in education.

Bea McGarvey, formerly of Maine, co-wrote “Inevitable: Mass Customized Learning.” She will speak from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, at the Edward Little High School gym.

Auburn School Superintendent Katy Grondin in September asked Auburn residents to read the book. It shows why schools must change to graduate everyone from high school with the skills they need, Grondin said.

The book also helps explain the direction of Auburn schools, why Auburn is doing things such as giving iPads to kindergarten students, moving to expeditionary learning at the middle school and changing the way high school students are taught.

“She shows that our world is customized, whether we know it or not,” Grondin said. “It’s already happening, and how do we bring that to education?” The book’s message also is that there are many things right about today’s schools, “and don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.”

Mass customized learning, which uses technology, helps deliver individual learning to all students by recognizing that not all children learn at the same rate at the same age.

McGarvey’s style of speaking is fresh, Grondin said. “She makes it interesting. She tells it like it is. It’s not like you’re at a lecture. She gets the audience thinking and reflecting.”

Grondin said people in other school districts have asked if their people can attend the presentation. “They’re more than welcome,” she said. “We want to fill the gym.”

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