On 26 May Martin Fry wrote:
"For me, the concept of a learning server raises two 'issues' that I
haven't seen mentioned so far.
The first is, that it creates a localised star-type topology for
communication channels. Second, it provides a specialised learning centre
for an organisation. IMNSHO.
For me, this is the bureaucratic method for dealing with knowledge,
although it may not map directly on the hierarchy given the way this has
so far been described. It doesn't seem to reap the benefits of a LO which
includes fast and flexible communications through informal
cross-functional networks, with learning localised at the 'workface'. "
Martin,
Your thoughts made me think of an analogy that occurred to me this
weekend. I have been thinking of how a flock of birds can change
directions so quickly, appearing to move simultaneously and without
hierarchy. Sunday, while singing in a group of 300 (people, not birds), it
occurred to me that we were doing the same thing. Possibly we have
"hardware and software" installed that allowed us to adjust to the same
pitch (or a harmonizing pitch), tempo, rythym, mood, degree of loudness,
while integrating words, understanding meanings, feeling feelings, and
looking around - and do it all so quickly that it appears to be
simultaneous. Although there was a song "leader", I think most of what
happened was not connected to the leader's actions. I suspect the birds
likewise are enabled to pick up rapidly on minute signals from each other,
and appear led without a leader. How does this apply to learning in
organizations? I haven't gotten that far, yet...
Thanks,
Ed Goad
goader@redstone.army.mil
--Goad Edwin R <edwin.goad@redstone.army.mil>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>