On May 27th, the iSchool Institute, Faculty of Information at the University of Toronto hosted Harold Jarche for a day long workshop.

The iSchool gave me the green light to video record the presentation. The video recordings (or portions) will be accessible via the iSchool web site once I complete the editing.

At the end of the day Harold and Mark Shepphard, a workshop participant had a lively discussion, which for me captures the flavour, excitement and energy of traveling and participating in a network learning landscape.

Harold’s workshop was titled Network Learning – Working Smarter. Here are a few excerpts from the iSchool’s description of Harold’s one day course.

Network Learning (also called Personal Knowledge Management or personal learning networks)is an individual, disciplined process by which we make sense of information, observations and ideas. In the past it may have been keeping a journal, writing letters or having conversations. These are still valid, but with digital media we can add context by categorizing, commenting or even remixing it. We can also store digital media for easy retrieval.

The Web has given us more ways to connect with others in our learning but many people only see the information overload aspect of our digital society. Engaging others can actually make it easier to learn and not become overwhelmed. Effective networked learning is the difference between surfing the waves or being drowned by them. It also helps us to work smarter.

Harold has posted all the resources he used in the workshop. You can visit his site and download the slide presentation.

Harold is a partner in the Internet Time Alliance (ITA), a multidisciplinary, international think tank. The Internet Time Alliance helps organizations work smarter, by developing next practices on how to embed learning in our work. The partners are Jay Cross, Jane Hart, Clark Quinn and Charles Jennings.

The ITA is a group of insightful and inspiring network learning practitioners that I follow closely. These folks are helping me learn to learn and to develop my own network learning environment, for which I’m most grateful.

Brent Uncategorized ITA, learning, networks, workshops

I’m a social media evangelist. There, I said it. Thant wasn’t too hard, I think I will keep going with this label as it describes me to a T. I’ve just watch Clay Shirky, a NYU professor and noted author (on the social and economic effects of Internet technologies) talk about how social media has changed everything about the world. His artful and entertaining 15 minute TED talk has got me stirred.

The Internet used to be a one way vehicle, usually controlled by experts, now it’s many to many where people can by by pass censors and publish their view of the world. He uses the earth quake in China as an example, but given the historic political upheaval occurring in Iran, that country could also be used as a great example that exemplifies his points.

What I especially liked in this talk was his reference to social media as being the primary vehicle for convening and supporting groups (both on & off line). In York Region, there is a lot of interest and emerging plans for local networks and alliances such as the United Way of York Region, the York Region Alliance to End Homelessness, and the Linking Georgina group to convene groups around important community matters.

In York Region there is much convening work ahead as we address social disparities, our fragile support systems and the disconnections experienced by so many individuals and organizations. So I invite you to tap into a bit of social media evangelism take a few minutes out of your busy day and listen to Clay Shirky.

Brent Uncategorized convening, groups, networks, socialmedia