I thought the first part of this post was especially interesting and
relevant to our work. As an individual takes ones' place in an
organization the process should not be taken for granted. The problem
before us grasp our attention. They often subsume that we have the skills
of experience that the organization has proffered through many such
circumstances over time. This is especially true since much of what we do
is cyclical--new principal, new superintendent, takes a new path and
changes ensue. We all move about....-- The point that old knowledge is
valuable information is well taken. Where is this to come from if not
shared within the basic organization of a system?
Take care. Roomie
>Winfried, good morning:
>
>You wrote on Nov 10th (sorry, I'm just now catching up with my LO mail):
>
>" The interesting part in this whole thread and on this list as such is that
>I perfectly well understand and agree with At's and other's contributions.
>I often agree wholehearted. But what puzzles me is the returning pattern
>of increased complexity in all these subjects and threads. The invention
>of new 'conceptual frameworks' with supreme high levels of abstractism.
>Why? To what purpose? What objective is served? To who's benefit? To be
>honest, there is little news on this list. It often is a re-phrasing of
>what has been said many hundred times before, in just slightly different
>ways or in complete different language and vocabulary, also by me. But
>what fascinates me and keeps me reading and contributing to this list is
>the fact that it newer stops! I am always amazed that somebody has managed
>again to re-phrase the obvious. What it gives me though, is better
>understanding, appreciation and respect for the person behind the words.
>It also confirms my belief that learning to read and speak a particular
>language is unavoidable if one wants to survive, live, and be respected in
>a specific culture. But aren't we contributing to a new Babylon if we keep
>on inventing new vocabularies to rephrase the obvious? "
>
>
>As part of a group developing systemic learning system products, your
>comment really struck home. My personal situation seem to be one of
>"catch up": as you say - many, if not most, of the ideas have been said
>before in a variety of languages or ways - some I'm quite comfortable with
>and fully understand. However, I haven't coexisted with many of these
>ideas in whatever form they took in their prior life and, therefore,
>they're not obvious to me. In my view, they're new "news" and have the
>power of interacting with my tacit knowledge in ways quite different than
>someone who finds the same ideas old news. In fact, I needed that
>restatement or representation to become aware of the idea.
>
>Am I derelict in my behavior for not knowing? I don't think so. My life
>path has just not provided a prior understanding or awareness. Maybe I
>could have done something to have prevented or improved my condition;
>maybe not. I hope I don't feel guilty for finding myself in that position;
>but on becoming aware of a particular event or class of events, I might
>(should) reflect on my priorities or behavior and modify to be more alert
>and knowing.
...big snip by your host...
Harold M. Brewer, Supt.
Montgomery County Schools
"The Business of Schools is Student Success"
http://www.ac.net/~mont1/super.html
--"Harold M. Brewer" <hmbrewer@ac.net>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>