The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. - Alvin Toffler
I had the opportunity to participate in an interesting lecture/conversation today that concerned the topics of learning and learning management. The lengthy discussion afterwards touched subjects like the current situation, form and drawbacks of the public education system, methodology of learning, possibilities what new (social) technology and pedagogic research have to offer to learning (from children to grownups) and so on. The actual opening lecture mainly took a look on the necessity of learning management in firms – management of how employees learn the abstract knowledge of the firm (strategy, values, working culture) and learn to do their work better. Basically the subject of learning was intrinsically tied to communication.
I was drawn to the sharing of opinions because of the X factor, or the human factor. This clip was presented last in the meeting, but I feel I should present it now,
It’s the inspirational 2008 Latest Edition of Did You Know 3.0, a presentation of interesting facts pooled by Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod.
Now I am a strong advocator of personal responsibility in the future world. An important aspect of this personal responsibility is continuous learning and self-development by reflection (hence this blog, for example). The Did You Know presentation sharply but implicitly points out how people from around the world have progressively better and increasingly equal chance to equip themselves with a proper knowledge base of their liking and how globalization allows them to compete for the most interesting jobs and other life opportunities the world has to offer. Take the view on future as you like.
Today’s discussion very much revolved around the matter of technology and the responsibility of the manager (in this case, the manager in a company or the teacher in a school) in the efficient and successful learning process of their “subordinates”. One participant however brought up the term of mindset – the mindset of an open mind, willing to learn new and unlearn past knowledge and habits. This mindset in my opinion is vital in learning – one has to have the personal motivation and the drive to develop oneself. Any technology or pedagogic breakthrough, a dramatic change in the schooling system for example, will not be enough to equip people to sustain themselves in the future world. It requires the right mindset, a childish point of view and a naïve belief that your mind is and always will be a tabula rasa that is always open for new knowledge, change, improvement and development. No matter how much you think you know about anything – your work, your modes of operation, your profession and so on. Combining the matter of creativity with a continuous open attitude towards learning and experiencing new a friend reminded me of one Pablo Picasso’s wisdom:
All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.
In addition, it’s good to remember Socrates’ words:
The only thing I know is that I don't know anything.
As a professional of your own area, are you willing to work, learn and live with an open attitude? If so, you're a good step ahead.
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