Jen O - A Room of My Own

Reimagining Learning

My colleague Terry Patterson sent out an email earlier today to some IBMers asking the following:

If you had to name one or two of the most influential, leading edge thinkers outside of IBM in the area of learning, who would you say?

I know there are probably lots of potential answers to this, but just go with top of  mind, initial reaction.

I responded with the following, and for my learning friends out there, I'm curious what you think? Who would you add?

Hi Terry - I would consider the following as candidate names:

Cultural Anthropologist, Dr. Michael Wesch from Kansas State. I've been following him for awhile. Here's a recent video posted about his perspective about creating learning environments that are platforms for participation. Here is a link to the learning portal that Wesch uses in one of his courses. He describes it in the video.

Among other things, Wesch refers to the idea of teaching "media literacy" and how important it is for students. I would advocate that it is equally important for corporate learning. Just as an FYI, last year Wesch received an award as the outstanding professor of the year by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Another person, who I mentioned when you guys interviewed me is Howard Rheingold. Rheingold teaches at Stanford and UC Berkeley (all info about courses are readily available online). He's been a leading thinker in the Internet world for a long time and he continues to push the envelope on applying technology to education. I've been following Rheingold for awhile also and always find his posts and shared links thought provoking. (He tweets, blogs, and video blogs). Rheingold was a 2008 winner in the MacArthur Foundation's Digital Media and Learning competition. He's been concentrating on learning and teaching 21st Century literacies. You can find more about Rheingold's past and current work here.

Finally, it is worthwhile looking at some of the organizations pushing the boundaries in this new world of learning - Here is a link to the Mac Foundations competition on reimagining learning.

This is a definition from the site, that I believe applies well to corporate learning and knowledge goals:

At its simplest, participatory learning refers to young people’s learning that:

• is intrinsically motivated because it is connected to their interests and passions;
• is inherently social in nature because it involves interacting, providing feedback, and sharing with others;
• and typically occurs during tangible, creative activities, that are open and discovery-based, involve tinkering and play and are not highly prescriptive.

Participatory learning is often facilitated by digital media because they significantly lower the barriers to production and distribution, invite social engagement and interaction, promote the possibility of contribution, and challenge traditional notions of authority and expertise.

Managing Chaos

My father reminds me, by date, the last time I posted to my blog. It has been nearly 6 months since I posted to this blog or added a book. What's brought me back is I miss the fact that I've not been adding the book I've read. It is one way for me to introduce order into my rather chaotic life. Just knowing I can go see the list in reverse chronological order is comforting to me. Especially now that half the books I've read are on my Kindle. They're not just stacked up on the floor of my living room...

Unfortunately, I can't remember al the books I've read. Nor can I locate them. But, I will not let good be the enemy of perfect. I'm going to go update my book list. And...perhaps I'll do some blogging too...

UPDATE:

I added 11 books. That means I'm reading about 2 books a month. At least based on the ones I can track down b/c they're on my Kindle or in that aforementioned pile on living room floor. The book count doesn't include all the New Yorker's or other magazines I read. Or, the New York Times. It is clear that I manage chaos in my life by sticking my nose in a book or magazine or my iPhone and ignore it.