The Workscape, a learning platform for corporations
Cultivating a results-oriented peer-learning program in a corporate learning ecosystem involves a few tweaks of the approach and tools we discussed in relation to more open, diverse networks. The Workscape, a platform for learning Formal learning takes place in classrooms; informal learning happens in workscapes. A workscape is a learning ecology. As the environment of learning, a workscape includes the workplace. In fact, a workscape has no boundaries.
Self-directed learning
Contents: introduction · Knowles and self-direction · understanding self-directed learning · a critique of self-directed learning · the characteristics of self-direction · conclusion · further reading and references · Stephen D. Brookfield · acknowledgements · how to cite this piece In the three decades since the Canadian adult educator, Allen Tough, published a study claiming that the bulk of adult learning occurred without the help of formally certified educators (Brookfield, 1981), the idea of self-directed learning (as it has come to be known) has captured the hearts and minds of many adult educators on both sides of the Atlantic. There is now sufficient research and theoretical analysis in existence to justify the publication of substantial literature reviews devoted solely to this topic (Caffarrella and O’ Donnell, 1990). Knowles and self-direction Despite efforts to reframe self-direction in a critical way, the prevailing definition is that offered by Malcolm Knowles.
How To Create a Personal Learning Environment to Stay Relevant in 2013
“Our understanding of learning has expanded at a rate that has far outpaced our conceptions of teaching. A growing appreciation for the porous boundaries between the classroom and life experience…has created not only promising changes but also disruptive moments in teaching.” EDUCAUSE Review, 2012
The question is not, “Do you need help?” The question is: “What kind of help do you need?”
Personal Learning Networks are the collections of people and information resources (and relationships with them) that people cultivate in order to form their own public or private learning networks — living, growing, responsive sources of information, support, and inspiration that support self-learners. Howard Rheingold: “When I started using social media in the classroom, I looked for and began to learn from more experienced educators. First, I read and then tried to comment usefully on their blog posts and tweets.
Curious Kids US – News, Research and Analysis – The Conversation – page 1
Poison can be a deadly defense that helps a mushroom make sure its spores are spread to new places to grow into baby mushrooms. Unlike scholars, Google's search engine can't automatically decide which sources are the most important, most accurate or most significant. Scientists are working on ways to make lots of energy by converting matter into energy. The trick is keeping the process under control. One possibility is nuclear fusion – the Sun's power source. Getting a good night's sleep on a regular basis can help you do well in school or at work.
Absorbing complexity with PKM
Have you ever heard of the Law of Requisite Variety? Anne Marie McEwan explains its effects, in Why Your Network is Your Life Support System: The concept implies that organisations that fail to distribute responsibility for absorbing complexity will eventually cease to be viable – they will not be resilient against shocks coming at them from their external environment. Anne Marie goes on to explain how important professional learning networks are to each and every one of us. Networked learning is not just good for your organization, but you as a person. I have never met Anne Marie, yet I I learn from her and consider her a professional colleague.
My daily PKM routine (practices and toolset)
Harold Jarche is a leading authority on Personal Knowledge Management, which he describes as a set of processes, individually constructed, to help each of us make sense of our world, and work more effectively. He has developed a popular Seek-Sense-Share framework which identifies the 3 key elements of PKM (see diagram on the right) Harold writes about PKM continuously in his blog, and has also helped thousands of people worldwide use this framework in his very popular online workshops, which he runs privately for organisations or publically. I have talked and written a lot about the use of social media for professional learning, and in particular how social tools have transformed the way I work and learn. I was recently asked how my own use of social media fits onto Harold’s PKM framework.
The Modern Workplace Learning Landscape: it’s more than telling people what to learn
I was recently asked to summarise my thoughts on the evolving modern workplace learning landscape and L&D’s role in it. So here it is Although people learn in many different ways, L&D has for a long time concentrated its attention on creating, delivering and managing courses. Despite the fact it has moved from a classroom to an e-learning (or even blended learning) approach, it still revolves around telling people what, how and when to learn. Although there has been a lot written about the ineffectiveness of training and the unappealing nature of much e-learning, efforts have largely been around trying to improve the learning design processes, rather than considering how to support other ways of learning in the workplace that are more appropriate for the performance problem and for the people concerned. Social learning has also become a hot topic.
Personalized Learning: A Working Definition
A group of philanthropies and school and technology advocacy groups, with contributions from educators, compiled a four-part "working definition" of the attributes of personalized learning. They also identified critical questions for K-12 officials to consider in implementing personalized learning. Related Story: What Is 'Personalized Learning'? Educators Seek Clarity
off the record
In case you missed it, Sylvia Duckworth released another of her wonderful Sketchnotes last week. This time, it deals with reasons why you should have a PLN. It’s well worth sharing for those who aren’t connected well with other educators or organizations. I strongly agree with all of the 10 points in the Sketchnote. Once you do have that “PLN”, whether you call the P Personal or Professional, it’s equally important that you work it.
