Universities versus Learning Organisations LO28045

From: AM de Lange (amdelange@postino.up.ac.za)
Date: 03/22/02


Replying to LO28011 --

Dear Organlearners,

Ana Neves <editorg@kmol.online.pt> writes:

>It takes a lot of guts to question what one's been
>doing for ages and look into it through a completely
>different perspective.

Greetings dear Ana,

I agree that it takes a lot of guts to question openly in public.

But the problem of questioning in private contemplation is something
different. Here the problem is to find that "completely different
perspective".

The problem of questioning in a university is more like questioning in
public rather like in private contemplation. This complicates the task of
teaching authentic learning. To help a learner how to find a "completely
different perspective" is often seen as reactionary or revolutionary.
Which tells what it is about -- an emergence on the ridge of chaos is
needed. Most universities change that ridge into an edge.

>I think it's time for us to think, re-think, and
>think again: where are we? Where do we want
>to go? Can we get there doing what we've
>always done? If not (and I guess the answer
>would be no), so take a deep breath, take pride
>in what you do and... fight your way to get there.

I agree with all above, except for that in my younger days I fought too
much. Fighting is a cruel companion to the spirit of learning.

>Ultimately, we all have to question what we're
>doing. But, as you say, At, in Universities...
>people should know better ;-)

That is why we need good teachers who can help us to learn how to question
the unquestionable, even the way in which most modern universities
function ;-)/^\

Here is a site which tells of a remarkable tradition which they have been
following for some thirty years now: "The Aims of Education"
< http://mtprof.msun.edu/Fall1998/MaddRev.html >

With care and best wishes

-- 

At de Lange <amdelange@gold.up.ac.za> Snailmail: A M de Lange Gold Fields Computer Centre Faculty of Science - University of Pretoria Pretoria 0001 - Rep of South Africa

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