Networks
are the underlying structure for knowledge, learning, and society. We
live in networks. We experience them daily. This familiarity results,
at times, in overlooking the significant value that connections provide
in understanding the world. When a company has a failed product launch,
networks and connections can explain why. When a company, such as
Microsoft or Blackberry, fails to capitalize on an emerging market,
networks can describe what happened. When a political party fails at
the polls, networks can provide insight into lack of resonance with
voters. Knowledge can be defined through a network lens. As can
learning.
In spite of the descriptive, predictive, and informative value of
connections and networks, most institutions fail to utilize them well.
Higher education is in a broad swing from hierarchical systems of
organizations to network structures. The talk below is one that I
delivered to the Desire2Learn conference in Melbourne
yesterday on the role of networks in knowledge creation, learning,
innovation: Slideshare.net/gsiemens/learning-and-creating-knowledge-in-social-networks-26008700
Elearnspace.org
