Networked Learning (PKM) Workshop in Toronto

In just over a month’s time, I’ll be facilitating another one-day workshop on Networked Learning (PKM) at the University of Toronto’s iSchool Institute on Friday, 18 November 2011. The cost for the day is $250.

My consulting work this past year has shown a great need for two aspects of knowledge-sharing in organizations: 1) systems & processes to enable better collaboration & sharing, and 2) individual skills in narrating work and learning in networks. This workshop is focused on the latter.

Personal knowledge management (PKM) 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. However, PKM is of little value unless the results are shared by connecting to others and contributing to meaningful conversations. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts as we build on the knowledge of others. As knowledge workers or citizens, PKM is our part of the social learning contract.

Let’s face it, it’s becoming more difficult to make sense of the world by ourselves. Understanding issues that affect our lives takes significant time and effort, whether it be public education, health care or climate change. Even the selection of a mobile phone plan requires more than mere numeracy and literacy.  We need context to understand complex issues and this can come from those we are connected to. The reach and depth of our connections become critical in helping us make sense of our environment and to solve problems. Problem-solving is what most people actually do for a living, so doing it better can have widespread effects. With social learning, everyone contributes to collective knowledge and this in turn can make  organizations and society more effective in dealing with problems. PKM is one of the foundations of social learning because we each need to make sense of the signals coming from our networks, while simultaneously reducing the ever-increasing noise.

If you’re in the Toronto area, this may be the workshop for you or your colleagues.

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