Individuals as consumers and producers within a learning organisation

DefinitionsTake a look at the biological definition of ecosystem:

“a system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their physical environment”

http://bit.ly/4Tz8wS

“A complex set of relationships of living organisms functioning as a unit and interacting with their physical environment.”

http://bit.ly/5brUoh

“All of the factors that allow a healthy environment to function; the complex relationships among an area's resources, habitats and residents. An ecosystem may include people, wildlife, fish, trees, water and several other living and non-living elements.”

http://bit.ly/5axJIT

ComponentsTaking these definitions as a starting point, what we have then are three components that make up an ecosystem:

1. discrete organisms, each of which is trying to meet its core functions: eat, reproduce and breath

2. the physical environment within which the organisms carry out those core functions

3. the complex relationships between the organisms, each other and the environment

RolesIn a biological ecosystem, every organism plays an essential part. It's impossible for one organism to go it alone. Similarly in a learning ecosystem, every individual has a role. Just as in biology, every organism is a consumer as well as a producer, so in a learning ecosystem every individual's contribution is important for real learning and thus real change to happen.

In a "controlled" ecosystem, like a garden, the gardener has certain objectives which s/he tries to meet by making careful changes to the system. They may add in a particular organism that has a certain place in the food chain - maybe producing beneficial chemicals or removing unwanted organisms. Or they may change the environment, perhaps increasing nutrients, changing the temperature, or protecting particular organisms from harm.

A human organisation has all these characteristics. Managers act as the gardener. Absolute control is impossible, but by making tweaks to particular relationships, individuals or the work environment the organisation can be pushed along particular paths.

In a learning ecosystem, the objective is to induce change to behaviours that meets the overall organisational objectives. Again, forcing people to change is nigh-on impossible. The Learning & Development team can only provide the conditions in which change is more likely.

Ecosystem: A complex set of relationships of living organisms functioning as a unit and interacting with their physical environment.

www.ndma.gov.pk/Publications/Terminology_Disaster%20Risk%20Reduction.doc

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Learning Ecosystems and Communities of PracticeThere's probably very little difference between a learning ecosystem and Etienne Wenger's definition of a Community of Practice:

“Communities of practice are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.”

http://www.ewenger.com/theory/

We use the term learning ecosystem as it helps to illustrate the organic, uncontrollable nature of such systems and communities, and the need for individuals to take both producer and consumer roles. It's a useful analogy that people can hook ideas onto.

To really dig into the idea of people learning together in communities/ecosystems, you need to read Wenger's work. Or, at least, first of all read his vignette of life in a claims processing centre at http://bit.ly/5ah3Uv

Why use a learning ecosystem approach?In today’s organisations, requiring multi-skilled people able to adapt to rapid change there is often too much to learn too quickly. Organisations need to respond instantly to change.

It’s too costly to produce “courses” and they’re out-of-date before they reach the learner.

By encouraging involvement in adapting to change, individuals will then become more engaged in the change process.

Modern learning theories propose that people learn better from others, rather than just being treated as empty boxes into which we can force knowledge.

Contact the authors:mark.berthelemy@capita.co.uk07799 408026Skype: mark_berthelemyTwitter: berthelemyhttp://www.learningconversations.co.uk

patrick@delearn.net07906 452939Skype: brockleypaddyTwitter: fromepaddyhttp://www.delearn.net

What needs to be in place for an ecosystem approach to work?

Content creation tools

There is a mass of tools (both free and paid for) all designed to help normal people articulate things; to express what they know easily and quickly.

This might include: video editing, mind-mapping, audio, diagrams, quizzes and photo-manipulation.

Systems/infrastructure

Consumers need clear navigation, excellent searching, links to re-lated items, simple feedback mechanisms.Producers need barrier-free contribution process.

Organisations need usage statistics, low overhead user management.

Culture

Recognize that most people know something already. Understand that people only really learn when they want and/or need to.

100% perfect every time is unlikely.

We trust each other.

Sharing information is OK; hoarding information is unforgivable.

Skills and competence

Basic skills: Typing, writing for an audience, speaking clearly, presenting information using graphics and images, story-telling

Advanced skills: Information seeking, information retrieval, analysis, synthesis, reflection

How much can you control what your learners learn in your environment?