Leading Learning Conference :: Blog :: George Siemens' Keynote Slides...

Comments

1. Thanks for posting this.

   I wonder what George would say about all students having access to Wireless Internet in their schools?

    

   Andrew Swartz on Wednesday, 28 May 2008, 13:30 EDT # |

2. Wow - this looks great - I wish I could have been there. I particularly like slide 51 of course - wonder what he said - reminds me of ICT: Diverging Roads!

   I can't help but feel that he is talking within the new structure "out there" - the "geodesic model" compared with the pyramid. The same is true of Rodd's latest posting too. The way we interact can be without a designated "leader" - truly egalitarian and yet still produce the learning results needed. Open Source, the OLPC project, and many other non-monetary reward situations abound because of computer-related technologies and are living testimony to the strengths of a geodesic structure - each node being at the centre of their world but combining to provide strength for the networked group etc.   

   Our school and educational system is VERY clearly of the pyramidal organizational model and I feel teachers are succeeding in spite of it, not because of it. The pyramid dominates and is very useful but the assumption that it is the ONLY way is now starting to crumble as I see it. It is the same re. Inquiry being the ONLY problem solving method - oops - sorry - another soap box!
   

   As the new structure becomes more common those who address and use the technological world will therefore diverge further and further from the pyramid. I believe it is inevitable and appropriate. They are creative people and see the value of using the new cultural norms for learning and new ways of organizing. New technologies have simply made it more visible and naturally more possible. 

   Ironically Hall-Dennis actually was an attempt to do this I think. I was recently at a conference where many of the original panel appeared as a reunion. Yes they had leaders but the structure had shades of geodesic and clearly was an example of creative people at work. BTW they saw the power of computers in 1968 even though they had no clue as to where they would take us really.  

   I find it intriguing to see the Me changing to the We - have you read anything about the Millennial generation? Maybe some of those who read this will be in that group!

   A book I read MANY years ago by a man called Harlan Cleveland (title was the Knowledge Executive - AWFUL title but some great stuff within) said the future lies in what we are going to do TOGETHER.

   Thanks for posting it Tim. Great brain food!

   Geoff Day on Thursday, 29 May 2008, 07:05 EDT # |