An interesting report with an apt title - When the Game's up.
Read the post here
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Learning as a Network
I came across this post via Twitter. It's definitely worth a read.
This post is by Harold Jarche.
Mohamed Amine Chatti extends the framework on personal knowledge networks with his post on Learning as a Network (follow link for graphic):
The Learning as a Network (LaaN) perspective draws together some of the concepts behind double-loop learning and connectivism. It starts from the learner and views learning as the continuous creation of a personal knowledge network (PKN). For each learner, a PKN is a unique adaptive repertoire of:- One’s theories-in-use. This includes norms for individual performance, strategies for achieving values, and assumptions that bind strategies and values together (conceptual/internal level) Tacit and explicit knowledge nodes (i.e. people and information) (external level
Here is Chris Argyris’ double-loop learning theory in a nutshell:
There are four basic steps in the action theory learning process: (1) discovery of espoused and theory-in-use, (2) invention of new meanings, (3) production of new actions, and (4) generalization of results. Double loop learning involves applying each of these steps to itself. In double loop learning, assumptions underlying current views are questioned and hypotheses about behavior tested publically. The end result of double loop learning should be increased effectiveness in decision-making and better acceptance of failures and mistakes.
And here is George Siemens’ Connectivism theory:
Connectivism is the integration of principles explored by chaos, network, and complexity and self-organization theories. Learning is a process that occurs within nebulous environments of shifting core elements – not entirely under the control of the individual. Learning (defined as actionable knowledge) can reside outside of ourselves (within an organization or a database), is focused on connecting specialized information sets, and the connections that enable us to learn more are more important than our current state of knowing.
Finally, you can get a quick overview of the Cynefin model and complexity with this video from Anecdote.
So that’s: double-loop learning - connectivism - complexity; three concepts, each requiring some depth of understanding . No wonder this a hard sell in the boardroom. Many people think of learning as school, training as something that is delivered, and complexity as problems that can be solved with effort and resources.
Like Mohamed, I am interested in these theories but my true passion is in implementing frameworks for the workplace. I too think that merging learning and knowledge management into our work is a good way to help organizations deal with complexity.
Here’s a possible elevator pitch for LaaN:
Is your work becoming more complex? How much complexity is there in the markets or the environment? Can anyone predict what’s going to happen next? Obviously many of the world’s economists have been wrong about most things. Looking backwards hasn’t helped us much.
In a complex world we cannot predict outcomes but we can engage our environment and learn by doing. That makes constant learning a critical business skill. But how do we help people develop that skill?
Giving tools and teaching by example is a good way to start. People need to make connections and see patterns and then reflect, criticize and detect errors. Only in a trusting, collaborative workplace can this happen.
Want to know more? Well let me you tell a story …
Article courtesy: http://www.jarche.com/2009/05/learning-as-a-network/
This post is by Harold Jarche.
Mohamed Amine Chatti extends the framework on personal knowledge networks with his post on Learning as a Network (follow link for graphic):
The Learning as a Network (LaaN) perspective draws together some of the concepts behind double-loop learning and connectivism. It starts from the learner and views learning as the continuous creation of a personal knowledge network (PKN). For each learner, a PKN is a unique adaptive repertoire of:- One’s theories-in-use. This includes norms for individual performance, strategies for achieving values, and assumptions that bind strategies and values together (conceptual/internal level) Tacit and explicit knowledge nodes (i.e. people and information) (external level
Here is Chris Argyris’ double-loop learning theory in a nutshell:
There are four basic steps in the action theory learning process: (1) discovery of espoused and theory-in-use, (2) invention of new meanings, (3) production of new actions, and (4) generalization of results. Double loop learning involves applying each of these steps to itself. In double loop learning, assumptions underlying current views are questioned and hypotheses about behavior tested publically. The end result of double loop learning should be increased effectiveness in decision-making and better acceptance of failures and mistakes.
And here is George Siemens’ Connectivism theory:
Connectivism is the integration of principles explored by chaos, network, and complexity and self-organization theories. Learning is a process that occurs within nebulous environments of shifting core elements – not entirely under the control of the individual. Learning (defined as actionable knowledge) can reside outside of ourselves (within an organization or a database), is focused on connecting specialized information sets, and the connections that enable us to learn more are more important than our current state of knowing.
Finally, you can get a quick overview of the Cynefin model and complexity with this video from Anecdote.
So that’s: double-loop learning - connectivism - complexity; three concepts, each requiring some depth of understanding . No wonder this a hard sell in the boardroom. Many people think of learning as school, training as something that is delivered, and complexity as problems that can be solved with effort and resources.
Like Mohamed, I am interested in these theories but my true passion is in implementing frameworks for the workplace. I too think that merging learning and knowledge management into our work is a good way to help organizations deal with complexity.
Here’s a possible elevator pitch for LaaN:
Is your work becoming more complex? How much complexity is there in the markets or the environment? Can anyone predict what’s going to happen next? Obviously many of the world’s economists have been wrong about most things. Looking backwards hasn’t helped us much.
In a complex world we cannot predict outcomes but we can engage our environment and learn by doing. That makes constant learning a critical business skill. But how do we help people develop that skill?
Giving tools and teaching by example is a good way to start. People need to make connections and see patterns and then reflect, criticize and detect errors. Only in a trusting, collaborative workplace can this happen.
Want to know more? Well let me you tell a story …
Article courtesy: http://www.jarche.com/2009/05/learning-as-a-network/
Thursday, May 7, 2009
The (changed) information cycle
I liked this post on elearnspace blog by George Siemens.
The traditional information cycle looks like this:
The traditional information cycle looks like this:
Information is created through research and then disseminated through conferences, discussions with colleagues, etc. Validation of the value and accuracy (both loaded terms) of the information is achieved through expert peer review. If deemed to be of suitable quality, information is then published in journals, conference proceedings, and books. And, if the information/research has longevity, it is re-created in later publications and used as a basis for advancing a field of knowledge.
Interestingly, the elements of the information cycle has not been substantially changed due to technology. The process, however, has been greatly altered. Creation is now as simple as a podcast or blog post. Dissemination and peer review occur through “crowd sourcing” methods such as digg links, ratings on Amazon, comments on Diigo…and sharing resources occurs through online articles/open access journals/blogs/videos/podcasts/Second Life builds, etc. Re-creation - when resources are licensing to permit it - occurs through mashups and repurposing content in various media and languages.
Information is now mutable, participatory, democratic, and rapidly re-created. It is here that we should be building a new model of education. Not on the “web 2.0″ tools that are at best and instantiation of these trends (and at worst deceptive in ignoring core changes while pursuing “shiny new objects”).
Article courtesy: http://www.elearnspace.org/blog/2009/04/17/the-changed-information-cycle/
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
My top 10 tools as at 6th May 2009
They are not in any particular order.
Twitter - I find this micro blogging site of tremendous value and a fantastic way of learning.
Tweetdeck - I have just started using this application for twitter to arrange all the tweets. So far so good.
Evernote - Since I've started using this medium, it has helped me to organise all the bits and parts. Love the clipping feature of this tool.
Blogs - A wonderful knowledge resource.
Google docs - Personally this one is very handy for me as I can work on a doc at home and then even access it from work the next day without having to email it to myself.
Firefox - I have been using this since ages now and it keeps only getting better.
Adobe Photoshop - This is an absolute must for me as far as image editing goes.
Gmail - I love the 'Labels' feature in Gmail which allows easy sorting of messages. The 'Offline' feature allows you to read and write emails in offline mode. The chat feature within the email browser is another bonus.
Google search engine - Simply the best!
LinkedIn - A powerful professional networking database.
Twitter - I find this micro blogging site of tremendous value and a fantastic way of learning.
Tweetdeck - I have just started using this application for twitter to arrange all the tweets. So far so good.
Evernote - Since I've started using this medium, it has helped me to organise all the bits and parts. Love the clipping feature of this tool.
Blogs - A wonderful knowledge resource.
Google docs - Personally this one is very handy for me as I can work on a doc at home and then even access it from work the next day without having to email it to myself.
Firefox - I have been using this since ages now and it keeps only getting better.
Adobe Photoshop - This is an absolute must for me as far as image editing goes.
Gmail - I love the 'Labels' feature in Gmail which allows easy sorting of messages. The 'Offline' feature allows you to read and write emails in offline mode. The chat feature within the email browser is another bonus.
Google search engine - Simply the best!
LinkedIn - A powerful professional networking database.
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