Learning Conversations

Link: http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2006/12/how-to-create-your-circle-of-wise-how.html

I was talking with some of my fellow learners on the Hull MEd course today. It was one of the rare occasions when we actually meet up face-to-face - it's not built into the course but there were enough people in the vicinity of Sheffield to make it worthwhile.

Anyway, I was trying to explain the benefits of being plugged-in to the worldwide network of edubloggers, as opposed to restricting communications within the university's VLE.

One the reasons I gave was that I learn just by listening-in to the conversations that are going on amongst people in the edublogosphere. It's not usually written in the academic language that University people seem to like - but it's the closest I'm coming to real-life action research - with people writing about what they've tried and how it went.

I love this quote from CS Lewis, from Vicki's Cool Cat Teacher blog:

"The next best thing to be wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are." CS Lewis

The main objection from people in the group seemed to be the amount of time that it takes to remain plugged-in to the network.

Vicki has summarised in a brilliant way how to create your own circle of the wise. I would encourage anyone starting out to read this post.

For me, my circle of the wise started out with Stephen Downes (who came well recommended from Debra Marsh). From there, the circle of the wise has extended to many people who are my key thinkers in the fields of learning technology, elearning & knowledge management. Almost all have come via recommendations from other people to whom I am already linked.

It's like being able to walk in a crowded conference room amongst many enlightening and thought-provoking conversations, to listen in, and to be encouraged to contribute where I wish. What a privilege!

What I don't understand is why so few people in academia don't appear to take advantage of this? Am I missing something?