Archive for the ‘Education’ Category
“Digital Designers Rediscover Their Hands” – NYTimes
Another article that has implications and relevance for KM. The central thesis of the article is that people, even highly skilled “knowledge workers”, can only learn so much via software. Grappling with physical/tangible objects increases their understanding of their own software products.
The take-away here for KM (for me) is that technology is good but don’t forget about the analog.
Ping
Digital Designers Rediscover Their Hands
By G. PASCAL ZACHARY
Published: August 16, 2008
Here’s the school mentioned in the article: Tinkering School
Technology and learning in schools – lessons for KM
“At School, Technology Starts to Turn a Corner” – NYTimes
By STEVE LOHR
Published: August 16, 2008
I think there are clear parallels for business organizations in this article in terms of how techology can help and the effect it can have on change.
The piece analyzes how children learn and where technology can play a role. This is a common dynamic in KM where technology is an enabler. “[Technology is] not the problem, and it’s not the answer.”
Additionally, the last line echoes what Dr. Carla O’Dell of APQC says about organizational change:
O’Dell: “Many… say that in order to implement KM in your organization, your culture needs to change first, but culture change is a result of knowledge sharing, not an antecedent. Design KM around your culture for success.”
NYTimes: “This is the best Trojan horse for causing change in schools that I have ever seen,” (Sir Mark Grundy, executive principal of Shireland Collegiate Academy and the George Salter Collegiate Academy, England)
In other words, if you give people the right tools and training you will get the result you desire.
