Learning Can Have A Leading Edge With Wiki Collaboration

Paradigm Shift…

Always at the cusp of transition from one age to a new one the old systems no longer work and there does need to be a paradigm shift. We can see this in institutions whose structures are crumbling – world economies and banking for example.

The education/learning systems are probably one of the last systems to crumble by their lack of addressing the realities of what participants are facing today. It did not happen overnight that is for sure. I watch my 8 year old nephew learn how to play chess on his iPod touch and breeze through the many games that are available. His mind is fast and he can do at least 5 things at once. We are all going through this huge transition and certainly collaboration has come to the forefront – social networks, forums, instant chats, skype etc. We are all feeling the need to collaborate on some level and share our experiences of what is happening in our world.

I guess my question is how to assess one’s competencies if the entire learning process is based on collaboration, because in the end, when someone is applying for a job, it is based on the skills that they individually bring to that position. And yes teamwork is becoming very important (emotional IQ, etc) but I don’t think it is realistic to level the playing field so to speak. Or conversely, maybe everybody needs help in finding their right place and we don’t do enough of that in the educational system.

All the new technologies like wikis and cloud computing in general as well as the ones i mentioned above all indicate a desire to collaborate on some level. But all contribution is not equal so we need new measuring systems. We have a long ways to go for sure and it takes visionaries like Sir Ken Robinson to open the gates wide. And by the way if you do a google on transition from industrial age to information age, there is lots to discover! And it is reassuring to know that some of our communities can be on the leading edge of this paradigm shift with cloud frenzy free, user friendly Wiki collaboration.

This video animate will engage further discussion on the changing education paradigms.

YouTube video description: This animate was adapted from a talk given at the RSA by Sir Ken Robinson, world-renowned education and creativity expert and recipient of the RSA’s Benjamin Franklin award.