The E-Learner

 

Issue No. 14

 

1st February 2001

 

Published by

 

© European Consortium for the Learning Organisation.

 

All rights reserved.

Welcome to the fourteenth edition of The E-Learner, ECLO's electronic newsletter for members.

The E-Learner complements our existing hardcopy newsletter that will continue to carry articles and information of interest to ECLO members.

As always, we welcome contributions from members, as it is impossible to keep on top of the wealth of information on the World Wide Web on topics of interest to you all.

For your ongoing reference The E-Learner will be archived in the members' zone of our web site.

Editor: Brian Taylor

 

 

Editorial

A recent Swedish Motor Manufacturer’s Campaign, suggested that we should "Defy Convention".

For those Members looking for a clear focus, for ECLO activities, a suggestion is, that we adopt the above approach. Adopting a ‘Defy Convention’ Strategy would be the best guarantee for our survival, in world full of conventional thoughts and ideas. By breaking with convention, we stimulate those thoughts and ideas of Discovery, which in turn, bring about innovation – the life-blood of Learning Organisations.

This issue, continues the Voyage of Discovery with items on, Theatre in the Workplace, 101 ways to develop your people, Self Managed Learning and the 7 S’s, Tom Peter’s - Crazy Times call for Crazy Organizations; plus all the usually features such as, Horror Scopes (special feature on the Chinese New Year), Web Based Resources and much, much more…………………..

 

 

 

 

ECLO Lisbon Conference (16-18 May 2001)

 

Preparations are well underway, with over 20 Workshops/Presentations integrated into the Conference Programme, together with Keynote Speakers and ‘A Voyage of Discovery’ running parallel to conference proceedings. For those of you who may not immediately recognise the new format of the conference proceedings, the use of ‘metaphor’ is a clue to understanding ‘what is going on ?’ Portugal is a fascinating place, which along with its neighbour Spain can claim to have discovered much of the ‘New World’. Lisbon offers conference delegates the opportunity to discover their own ‘New World’, for they shall leave Lisbon far more enlightened, than when they first arrived.

For Registration details of the Lisbon Conference contact Brigitte on info@eclo.org or visit our website where a preliminary programme is also posted http://www.eclo.org

 

Theatre in support of Learning in the Workplace – Can Vygotsky Help ?

The article focuses on the author’s involvement with three Theatre Groups and investigates the use and applications of professional theatrical techniques, to support of adult learning, in the workplace. Applying such techniques can be pr

 

Applying Theatrical Techniques in the Workplace

A British Experience

Theatrical techniques were studied as a means of promoting Learning objectives at work. This applied research culminated in the UK, with a presentation of an international inter-active Workshop and Theatrical Stage Production in Birmingham, January 1999.

Demonstrating theatrical techniques to a varied International audience, the Actors skilfully moved the dialogue from the Actors to the Audience. The scene was of an industrial dispute, in which "Madge" (the Tea Lady and Narrator), suggested ways the actors could improve the situation, by changing their behaviour.

The actors contrived to distort the audiences’ advice and guidance, by literally translating their spoken requests. This led to the audience being asked to act-out their own instructions. The actors made every attempt to ‘counter’ the audience’s advise. The result progressive chaos, until the writer volunteered to address the issues. Both audience and actors rejoiced in the outcome, in which both actors and audience were satisfied. To discuss ‘how’ this was achieved you need to contact the writer on >> btaylor@everyway.telme.com . The reason the writer succeeded; he had lived and re-lived the dialogue in ‘real’ life.

The exercise helped individuals to gain new knowledge about one’s own body and feelings, in respect to other people’s presence.

Vygotsky, a Russian psychologist, talks of higher and lower mental functions, where lower are genetically inherited, our natural mental abilities, whereas the higher functions can only be developed through social interactions. In the above scenario the actors appealed to the audience at the lower level, initially i.e. no ‘mediation’ had taken place, hence the first ‘interventions’ proved to be counter productive, in improving the behaviour of the actors.

As mediation, between actors and audience began to take place, greater understanding emerged, until reconciliation was achieved between all the participants. The signs and the symbols used by the actors assisted the audience to think in more complex ways and hence reach a higher level of understanding. We witnessed a move from ‘impulsive’ to ‘instrumental’ actions.

Since the audience comprised of adults, there was little evidence to support Vygotsky’s ideas on ‘intra-mental’ abilities, but there was clear evidence of ‘inter-mental’ psychological development taking place. The zone of proximal development, according to Vygotsky, is the range of potential each person has for learning, with that learning being shaped by the environment in which the learning takes place. Clearly the actors contrived to provide the audience with a Learning Experience, whilst also entertaining. Evidence that Learning, can be fun.

Of the psychological tools that mediate our thoughts, feelings and behaviours Vygotsky suggests that language is the most important. The writer disagrees profoundly and offers an explanation through The German Experience. Language, whilst contributing to learning can prove to be socially divisive, as a mode of communication.

Mankind has developed other avenues to improve Learning, often in preference to the use and application of spoken or written communication. Vygotsky’s tendency to link thoughts pre-dominantly to spoken language seems highly questionably, since it focuses too heavily on a single sense, that of hearing. It appears to take no account of vis speaking audience, was identical in every aspect to dialogue, in German. The lesson: that spoken language appeared grossly overrated, as the primary mode of communication. Body language and other non-verbal modes of communications play a far more significant role in inter-personal communications and understanding than was first thought.

If we accept that mediation can take place via a multitude of, often complex, modes of communication, not necessarily focused on semantics, it is not difficult to agree that our thoughts, our actions and our experiences will always be culturally mediated. Conditioning, which radiates from the environment in which we find ourselves.

Contrasting the cultural heritage of three European nations, England, Southern Italy and Northern Germany, provided enough evidence to stimulate new learning, hence create new patterns of both social and intellectual behaviour.

Piaget’s arguments needed to be introduced, to balance Vygotsky’s claim that understanding is pre-dominantly social in origin, whereas Piaget argues that we construct knowledge through our actions on the world: to understand is to invent and to do. What is clear is that people are conditioned by their environment, hence the primacy of cultural mediation. The latter is never more apparent when you shared experiences across these cultural divides.

The next example may substantiate Vygotsky’s perception of Human Development, since the focus appeared to more towards ‘mind games’.

 

An Italian Experience

Here the Kismet Theatre in Bari, Italy teased the audience with the idea of focusing ones mind, by the use of an exercise, which involved each individual attempting to move the thumb and first finger of the right hand ever closer together, but without ever allowing them to touch.

To this day I never understood the point of the exercise, but it stimulated the writer to think beyond everyday routines or understanding. The reaction of each member of the audience varied considerable, from a tendency to go to sleep to vigorous, cavalier motions of the fingers, which appeared to ignore all the rules of engagement. If Vygotsky had been sitting in on the experiment, perhaps he would have concluded that we were all in an advanced stage of senility. The influence of the ‘extended family’ culture of southern Italy had, the writer suspects, far more impact on our thinking.

Within a tripartite working group, clearly language was not the key vehicle for ‘understanding’. The working language was English, which meant that both Italian and German participants had a filtered view of the activities, taking place. The English participants had a ‘duty of care’ to non-English speakers (thinkers), which in most cases meant developing their non-verbal skills and not necessarily learning the German and/or Italian language.

The examples above, represents one way we can address the challenge of mutual understanding. For sure, there is place for theatre and the dramatic arts, in supporting Adult Learning in the work place, but the works of Vygotsky, whilst profound in certain circles offers limited practical help to this cause. It does, however, provide a novel perspective, based on Marxist social theories, which do not translate readily into more ‘open’ societies.

Vygotsky; need to know more, have a look at Trish Nicholl’s work, click on >> http://www.massey.ac.nz/~Alock/virtual/trishvyg.htm/

 

Peter Honey – 101 Ways to develop your people, without really trying

Although the dead have a lot to contribute to our knowledge, especially since there are more of them than us, the writer favours a dialogue with the living such as Honey, by Eric Parsloe and Monika Wray, both of the Oxford School of Mentoring and Coaching. It has the merit of being practical, cheerful and theoretically sound all at the same time.

One of the refreshing things about this book is the way the authors put self-managed learning and development at the heart of the whole process.

"We believe we are in the middle of a revolution of thinking about learning. By the end of the next decade, we suggest that coaching and mentoring will simply have become the normal way ‘we do things around here’."

Towards the end of the book you will find The Seven Laws of Self-Managed Personal Development and The Seven Golden Rules of Simplicity. Just to give you a feel for the ‘no nonsense’ style of the book, here are a couple of examples of each:

"The Law of Motivation states that:

People will only take self-development seriously when they recognise either an immediate tangible benefit or a credible negative consequence of not doing so"

"The Law of Business Benefits states that:

Managers who cannot agree and support Personal Development Plans that balance the ambitions of the individual with real business benefits, should probably be sacked" (shame about the ‘probably’!)

Coaching and Mentoring is published by Kogan Page - ISBN 0 7494 311 8 0 - Cost £16.99

Whilst you are in a Self Managed Learning (SML) mode take a look at this site, Click on >> http://www.selfmanagedlearning.org/ . Here you will find SML resources, Case studies and Publications. You can view SML Principles, such as the 7 S’s :-

Strategic, Structural, Self-Managed, Shared, Supported, Syllabus-Free and Stretching.

I like the "Syllabus-Free", i.e. "No Curriculum" to all our Academic Members. Whilst you on to Peter Honey, ask him about his work on "Who needs Courses ?"

Learn More about Tom Peters – the Zany One !

Tom Peters is the author of seven worldwide best sellers, such as In Search of Excellence, A Passion for Excellence, The Pursuit of Wow !, Crazy Times call for Crazy Organizations, Liberation Management and more recently The Circle of Innovation. You can find Tom’s Books and Cassettes on >> http://www.store.yahoo.com/kmax/tompeters.html <<

 

Horror Scope – a light hearted look at Astrology, as a Business Tool


Here we attempt to view our ‘world’ from an extra-terrestrial perspective and we take a look at our Aquarian [The Water Carrier] Members – (20 Jan to 18 Feb).

The eleventh sign of the Zodiac is concerned with:

  • scientific analysis, experimentation, detachment
  • friendship, courtesy, kindness, tranquility
  • mystery, intrigues, magic, genius, originality
  • eccentricity, independence, humanitarian issues
  • fame, recognition, politics, creative arts
  • electricity, magnetism, telecommunications
The above description fit most of our Danish Members. Do you think it is because of the dark nights, long winters and the thrill of Spring !, that there are large number of conceptions during April each year ? All Aquarian’s should Register quickly for the ECLO Conference in Lisbon. We need the above qualities in abundance, so Click on >> info@eclo.org and ask to be sent a registration form.

 

This month’s prediction for all you Aquarians is:-

"You won't know what hit you as you jump from one thing to an Find it and you shall be wiser today, Click on >> http://www.chinatown-online.co.uk/ . (Watch out for the Fire Crackers !)

 

Web-Based Resources

KnowledgePool offers on-line Learning Styles Evaluation System

The Insights Discovery Learning Styles Assessment tool is, a 10-question evaluator, which rates various characteristics and provides a detailed report, based on the answers. It defines four psychological styles, each with its own approach to Learning. A ‘free’ sampler is there for you to try, Click on >> http://www.knowledgepool.com/ <<

Gurteen.com – What have you achieved today ?

Maybe, some of the answers on this site. Disruptive technologies and worldwide competition are driving a global business transformation. The nature of work in hi-tech and knowledge-based industries has already fundamentally changed. Over the next 10 years this change will accelerate and extend to affect the lives of us all. From the CEO downward, we each need to develop our own understanding of this business revolution and integrate it into our thinking and every day behaviour (or so says, David Gurteen and associates). Find out more, Click on >> http://www.gurteen.com/ <<

WebFlash – Courtesy of the Marchmont Project

http://www.Atomica.com Is a free online reference tool. At the click of a mouse, you can access synonyms, definitions and additional web-based resources. See just how the web makes the most of 'just in time learning'.

Have a Heart ! - Brigitte’s Story

 

One day a young man was standing in the middle of the town proclaiming that he had the most beautiful heart in the whole valley. A large crowd gathered and they all admired his heart for it was perfect. There was not a mark or a flaw in it. Yes, they all agreed it truly was the most beautiful heart they had ever seen. The young man was very proud and boasted more loudly about his beautiful heart.

An old man appeared at the front of the crowd saying,

"Why your heart is not nearly as beautiful as mine."

The crowd and the young man looked at the old man's heart. It was beating strongly, but full of scars, it had places where pieces had been removed and other pieces put in, but they didn't fit and there were several jagged edges. In some places there were deep gouges where whole pieces were missing. The people stared - how can his heart is more beautiful, they thought?

The young man looked at the old man's heart and saw its state and laughed.

"You must be joking," he said.

"Compare your heart with mine, mine is perfect and yours is a mess of scars and tears."

"Yes," said the old man, "yours is perfect looking but I would never trade with you. You see, every scar represents a person to whom I have given my love. I tear out a piece of my heart and give it to them and often they give me a piece of their heart, which fits into the empty place in my heart, but because the pieces aren't exact, I have some rough edges, which I cherish, because they remind me of the love we shared. Sometimes I have given pieces of my heart away and the other person hasn't returned a piece of his heart to me.

These are the empty gouges - giving love is taking a chance. Although these gouges are painful, they stay open, reminding me of the love I have for these people too and I hope someday they may return and fill the space

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    • The Learner

    The next edition of The Learner is now completed and at this very moment being rushed to your door. It is my first Edition, as Editor. Any comments, advise, guidance or better still, ‘Copy’, would be greatly appreciated, so the next edition is a cracker.


    Members Update

     

    Change of Particulars

    GLOBAL CHANGE Consultores Internacionais Associados, has changed its location in to the Lisbon city centre

    From January 1st on, the address, phone and fax numbers will be changed.

    For future contacts, please use:

    Address:
    GLOBAL CHANGE Consultores Internacionais  Associados,  Lda.
    C/o Mr. Pedro M. M. das Neves
    Avenida da Liberdade, nº245, 9º A e B,
    P -1250-143  Lisboa

    Phone: Fax: 21 330 05 99
    21 3590842 /43 /44
    21 330 05 50
    21 3170353

     

     

     

     

     

    Moving on

    Mike (Kelleher) has asked that I let Members know that although he has relinquished his position as ECLO General Secretary, he will remain with the organisation as an active Member. As a recognition for his contribution to E.C.L.O., the Board has granted him a lifetime membership. Mike will also be with us in Lisbonne.

    You can contact Mike at:

     

    Learning Futures Ltd

    http://www.learningfutures.co.uk/

    The Hollies, Foundry Road, Abersychan,

    NP4 7EL, UK

    Tel:  + 44 (0)1495 774884
    Fax: + 44 (0)1495 772943

    Global Sol Network

    Please be aware that the dates for the GSN gathering in Rio de Janeiro have changed from April 2001 to September 2-5, 2001. It is hoped that this calendar change will not create any inconvenience for you and that you can make to Rio in September.

    The GSN Gathering will take place September 2 & 3, 2001. The Learning Field event will occur September 4 & 5. Further details of the events will be forthcoming. In the meantime, you may go immediately to the following websites for more information:

    GSN Gathering: http://www.learningfield.net/gsn

    Learning Field: http://www.learningfield.net

    This is an historic event -- The first opportunity for those from worldwide emerging SoL fractals to meet, connect and learn together. Look forward to seeing you in Rio !

    Vicki Tweiten and Mike Zarin

    Global SoL Network Service Office

     

    For your agenda

    Strategic Learning Alliances Summit. Forging profitable corporate education programmes to drive organisational development.

    Interactive Pre-conference workshops 27th March 2001,

    Two-Day Conference 28th & 29th March 2001, Café Royal, London.

    For details, click on http://www.iqpc.com/1455a or email learningalliances@iqpc.co.uk

    Knowledge Management & Organisational Learning Conference. Building & Leveraging your Organisation;s Human Capital. 12th to 15th March 2001, Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.

    For details, click on http://www.linkageinc.com/kmol2001e/ or email < href="../index.html">http://www.eclo.org