The E-Learner
Issue No. 22
November 2001
Published by
All rights reserved.
Welcome to the twenty second 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
Some time ago I realised that most people are ‘lazy learners’. By this I mean, they prefer to be told what to do – then do it ! (the instructive approach). This is not so surprising, when you consider we have experienced 100 years of ‘conditioning’ from the likes of my namesake Frederick W. Taylor; who advocated specialisation, couple to a ‘command and control’ hierarchical structure of management. The future hold different challenges, which obliges people to look for more imaginative solutions; so this month I have included an ‘instructive’ piece, in an ‘imaginative’ way in the hope that, if we have any ‘lazy learners’ within ECLO, they might be encourage to re-visit some of their old material and methodologies and bring them into the 21st century.
ECLO Amsterdam Conference (May 2002)
Official announcement will be made next week.
HAROLD and the Learning Habit
[ ] 10 Steps to Cultivating the Learning Habit
Harold had just returned home, after his very first day at work.
What a shock, after all those halcyon days at school, where hours seemed like days and the summer days never seemed to end. This was the reality, for the rest of his life.. A life full of things he did not know; so much to do – so little time. How was he going to cope ?
His mother knew, from the look in Harold’s eyes that this had been a traumatic day for him, but the solution was simple,
'Early to bed, early to rise, makes one healthy, wealthy and wise'. So off Harold when to his bed and he was soon ZZZZZZZZZ !, asleep.
Harold’s panic was immediate as the vision of his true love, imprisoned by the tyranny of Count Wilhem Gates , flashed before his very eyes ! Was it a dream or a nightmare ? - only src="http://www.eclo.org/privatezone/Image10.gif" alt="" width="54" height="48" />"Can Rover help ?", persisted Mickey, "He sniffs, very well. Do you have something of your true love’s, for Rover to sniff ?"."Yes, here is her scarf, which she drop along the way", Harold replied.
[Step 1 : Determine the Learning Need – Gather the Animals]
Harold’s true love had been enticed into the Count’s clutches, with the prospect of making "loads of money", so she wasn’t your typical ‘Damsel in Distress’, but more strongly influenced by the temptations of life.However, off went Harold and Rover into the jungle forest to rescue his true love.
[Step 2 : Encourage a Positive Attitude – Show the Animals]
The dark came down upon them as there was a almighty Crash !, Bang ! Wallup ! A giant Dinosaur leapt from out of the undergrowth, only to be met by Leo the Lion , who, in the blink of eye, slay the primitive beast. 
[Step 3 : Create a Safe Environment – Choose the Animals]
Leo admitted to Harold that it was not for him he had killed the Dinosaur, but he needed to eat; he was desperate. Leo then confessed that he really didn’t like Dinosaur meat; a bit tough he thought. Harold was so impressed by the Lion’s courage that he handed him his packed lunch, which miraculously appears from outer space. (….no time for ‘packed lunch’ on your first day at work).
[Step 4 : Reward Risk Taking – Feed the Animals]
Leo asked Harold if he could tag along and bring his friend, Freddie the Fox, who was very cunning and would be more aware of the dangers, which lay ahead.No sooner had Freddie joined Harold’s team he spotted a Snake in the grass. Freddie alerted 
Leo, who promptly killed the snake; whilst Rover comforted Harold, since he looked a little
[Step 5 : Share Experiences – Ask the Animals]
It was time to reflect on the journey so far and the hazards, which were ahead. They all agreed that if they were to rescue Harold’s true love, they needed more skills and ingenuity that they had accumulated along the journey.
[Step 6 : Capitalise on the Learning Power – Combine the Animals]
broadcast Mickey.
"Thanks for the input", acknowledged Harold.
[Step 7 : Overcome Barriers Through Share Vision – Focus the Animals]
Harold stretched a leg to the first stepping-stone, across the swift sea channel. His ankle gave way and into the storming torrent he fell; head first. A Shark ! appeared in the hazy gaze of Harold’s drowning stupor. Danny the Dolphin leap to attract the Sharks attention, away from Harold and into the distance; whilst Mario, hanging from a nearby branch, whisked Harold from the rapids and onto the safety of the shore. Rover was on hand to re-assure Harold, whilst Leo stalked the banks of the river to create a safe environment, in which they could all recover.
[Step 8 : Bring the Vision to Life – Convince the Animals]
The sheer face of the Tower of Count Wilhem Gates’ Castle, cast a long dark shadow over Harold and all his friends, but were they down-hearted, No ! Why ?, because Harold’s true love was so close, they could almost touch her.
[Step 9 : Adopt a Systems Thinking Approach – Apply the Animals]
Off Mario leapt and was only one metre from the top, a few centimetres from Harold’s true love’s arms, when…………….out of the sky flew a Hawk, intent on attacking Harold’s true love, who felt
turbulence from the eager Hawk in flight. 
[Step 10 : Now put it all together – Commend the Animals]
A flash ! and the Hawk fell from the night sky. Mickey had zap’t the Hawk, in the
midst of it’s deadly swoop and Harold’s true love was returned into his arms.
The morning sun pierce through Harold’s eyes has he awoke to his Mother's cries. "Harold, wake up ! It is time for your next day at work".Harold expressed relief, when he knew his true love (his mother) was alive and well.
Cast in order of appearance:
Character Metaphor
Harold represents the Learner’s Dilemma (chie and represent Learning Partnerships, Alliances etc
Mario the Monkey is a ‘good guy’ and represent Learning Partnerships, Alliances etc
The Shark is a ‘bad guy’ and represent the Learning Challenges we all face
The Hawk is a ‘bad guy’ and represent the Learning Challenges we all face
Editor’s Comments: Please note: the above piece is an experiment in trying to convey complex issues in a simplistic way. There are three levels of thought, built into one dialogue: A story with a moral, instructions for cultivating the learning habit and a spectrum of ‘keyword’ links offering further (subterranean) detail for the curious. HAROLD & Friends ! would welcome your comments on this form of communication. Does it work, or not ?
Peter Honey Newsletter
Favourite mnemonics and formulas
I have always been attracted to simple memory jogs. In the far off days when I used to have to revise for exams, I was totally dependent on a whole string of mnemonics that I invented for myself and hurriedly jotted down in the margin of set papers - even before I had read the questions! Those particular mnemonics have faded (probably a good thing because some of them were rather rude!) but today I still find mnemonics and formulas very useful. I'd like to share some with you, in the hope that they will be useful and encourage you to invent some of your own. For the rest, click on > Favourite Mnemonics & FormulasA thought provoking saying about Learning & Development
"Wise people learn when they can, fools learn when they must."
This is my adaptation of something the Duke of Wellington is reputed to have said - but his version was about urinating, not about learning! Both versions are equally thought provoking.
Asking Questions
Using questions to stimulate learning - both for the questioner and for the person providing the answers.
Asking questions of one sort or another accounts for at least 25 per cent of most conversations, so click on > Asking Questions ?
Achieving Results Through Action Learning by Jo Cumming and Ian Hall
In the current climate of an ever-increasing need for organisations to embrace and manage change, Action Learning can be a powerful tool. Through solving real issues, with the support and challenge of their colleagues, people become more confident. They begin to influence others, which, in turn, will bring about changes in the structures, systems and processes within an organisation helping it to achieve results and meet future challenges. For a practitioners’ guide, click on > Action Learning
Web Flashes from Marchmont
Latest on Adult Learning
30 Reasons to go to College after 30
Meeting the Needs of Adult Students With large numbers of adults returning to school, many campuses provide special services and resources for re-entry students.
Not working for personal gain > Letting go of thoughts > Redirecting your attention > Being devoted
Final Thought
"Creativity is the production of meaning by synthesis" (Alex Osborn)
or
"When all about you are loosing their heads, clearly they don’t understand the problem" (Brian Taylor)
The E-Learner is published by the
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