AUSWEB96-BStewart
Multiple Networks Within A Learning Organization
Brenda Fiala Stewart
Educational Policy and Administration
College of Education and Human Development
University of Minnesota
Traditional vs. R-D Institutions
Traditional Focus
- Data Production
- Information Memorization and Minimal Application
Research and Development Focus
- Knowledge as Timely Application of Information
- Understanding Enhancing
- Generative and Constructive
L.O. as R-D Higher Education Environment
- Focus on Knowledge-Producing and Understanding Enhancing Institutions
- As Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS)
- Kludge of CAS (Sub-) Systems
K:LUDGE
Use of a Part Not Particularly Suited to Its Purpose (or Designed for that Purpose).
Examples: Human Eye; ARPANet; ...
Characteristics of Complex Adaptive Systems
- Self-Organizing and Learning
- Guided by Schema
- Order is Emergent
- Often Unpredictable
- Adaptation May be Easy or Difficult; Instantaneous or Delayed in Time
Individuals as CAS
- Focus on Human Development
- Focus on Constructing Interfaces Between New Information, Existing Schema and Emergent Knowledge / Ideas
- Takes Advantage of Information Provided Just-In-Time or Just-Ahead-Of-Time
Institutions as CAS
- Support Individuals' Human Development
- Support Knowledge Generating Activities
- Create Opportunities for Individuals to Interface with Technologies to Promote Collective and Self-Organized Learning
- Constructs Own Emerging Future; Not Solely Focused on Previous Traditions
Kludge of CAS (Sub-) Systems
- Self-Organizing Systems May Not Emerge "Perfectly" the First Time
- CAS Sub-Systems Include:
- Indiviudals Who Are Experts and Novices,
- Organizational Processes and Cultures,
- Distributed Network Technologies.