When you gain knowledge or understanding, or you have a fleeting thought or moment of inspiration, where does it go when you've processed it or dismissed it? I am increasingly aware of the incredible wealth of knowledge, ideas and expertise that the people I meet or read have aquired and formulated. At the same time, it strikes me that this often seems to lay dormant or become vague over time or evolve into a prideful strong, outdated, opinion. I love asking people what they did for their dissertation at university or what they are learning at the moment, as this can not only tell you alot about them as a person, but it is like tapping into a unique lesson inside of them that I can learn from. I am beginning to think that what we are missing in the processes of education (including life-long learning) is an element of real community. A learning community that has learning as a mutual process and value could be incredibly holistic and powerful. Look at blogging for example - a wholly sharing community of people putting forward thoughts, ideas and questions with one another in a mutually beneficial environment. It is honest, sincere and always open to debate. Discussion and questioning are rife and peole are encouraged, by default, to imporove their own writing and communication skills in order to be able to express themselves. It not only gives them a real 'audience', but validates their learning by benefitting others and honing it by being open to debate. I have just realised that there are a whole number of people who are processing their research through blogs - presumably sharing it, recording it and gaining feedback from others. This has inspired me to bring together some of the thoughts I have been developing about learning and education on a separate blog - maybe open it up to others to be authors too... Who knows what may come of practising what you preach.
where does it all go?
6.1.07 13:25
|
Noel (12.1.07 23:14) hi, I would agree that blogging and internet communications as a whole are a great way developing your opinions, thoughts and ideas. Of course this is open to abuse and I personally have spent many frustrating hours pouring through forum pages and blogs searching for 'diamonds among the rough'. A good example would be on the comments surrounding Richard Dawkins videos on youtube. A high percentage of comments are from Creationists (or 'inteligent design theorists' as they are now called!) or neo-darwinists hurling insults and rhetoric. Even the most well intended discussion group can spiral into a circus of tat for tat and nitpicking. The crucial difference between useful forums and blogs and the many 'battlegrounds' one tends to come across is the attitude of those who use the site. Far to many people approach a discussion not willing to accept the possibily that they could possibly be wrong. It is delightful when one stumbles across the odd moment in a well structured debate where one party is willing to concede a point and their opinion alters slightly. Approaching any discussion with an intent to learn and consider others opinions is key to a 'mutually beneficial environment'. I also think that it is a good idea to provide as much supporting evidence as possible when entering into any sort of debate and at the minimum a source for quotes and statistics. Blogs obviously offer the ideal environment to do this in the form of hyperlinks, but traditional citations are useful too. I think this is important as opinions ideas and arguments become weak if verifiable facts are not provided. As an example I would point you to Stephen Harveys Comments on phils blog "eg 500 abortions per day in the UK, in Texas, 38 executions last year" http://20six.co.uk/evans_above/art/2715730/Life_and_Death#comm I personally would have found these comments more useful if these statistics had been sourced. Keep on blogging I always enjoy what you guys have got to say Noel |
|
Anna Evans / Website (14.1.07 10:09) Thanks for the thouhgts Noel.. I totally agree with you about the many 'battlegrounds' on discussion boards etc. I find them frustrating on the most part, mainly because, as you say, people's attitudes are often not ones of learning, but egotistical displays of knowledge or opinion. I wish you had been in my class this week, as I was teaching about persuasive writing and the importance of EVIDENCE in an argument! |
|
dissertation (28.5.10 16:53) it's good to see this information in your post, i was looking the same but there was not any proper resource, thanx now i have the link which i was looking for my research. Dissertation Writing | Dissertation Proposal | Dissertation Help |
|
cheap moncler jackets / Website (14.9.11 03:29) Cheap Moncler Jackets Outlet,Cheap Moncler Jacketswhyhpr0sTKUcPzR |
|
(24.9.11 17:46) literature review examples nice buddy masters dissertation writing hi my name is Osse and your post really help me research proposal dissertation very great UK dissertation writing so lovely proposal for dissertation very good buddy dissertation literature review love it dissertation help uk awesome uk dissertation writers great buy dissertation great buddy dissertation help service awesome dissertation writers great buy a dissertation online |
|
proscar (29.2.12 23:37) I read this article fully on the topic of the difference of newest and previous technologies, its remarkable article. proscar |
powered by
20six.co.uk
