Category Archives: Formal Spaces

A place for everything and everything in it’s place: creating an environment for learning

I have a routine: table by the window, the one with the plug next to it, coffee on the right side of the table at the back, phone on the left. This is the best table as it has a … Continue reading

Posted in 'Just in time' learning, Accessibility, Agile, Book, Collaboration, Community, Community of Practice, Connections, Contact, Environment, Formal Spaces, Informal Spaces, Learning, Learning Culture, Learning Technology, Mobile Learning, Personal Learning Network, Social Learning, Support | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Navigating the space between process and excellence. Is your organisation agile enough?

Process will get you so far: it will get you precisely too the edge of the abyss. I’m increasingly interested in the disconnect between formal, abstract, ‘knowledge age’ training and the requirements of the dynamically connected and agile Social Age. … Continue reading

Posted in Adaptability, Agile, Challenge, Change, Collaboration, Community, Culture, E-Learning, Formal Spaces, Informal Spaces, Instructional Design, Knowledge, Learning, Learning Culture, Learning Design, Productivity, Social Learning, Training | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Where’s your library? Questions around sharing and social learning

As well as a museum, children’s playground and sofas, Schiphol airport boasts a library. In the days of Kindles and eBooks, it may sound slightly anachronistic, but this library has actual shelves and actual books that you can sit in … Continue reading

Posted in 'Just in time' learning, Accessibility, Book, Collaboration, Community, Connections, Culture, Discovery, e-Books, Education, Formal Spaces, Informal Spaces, Learning, Learning Culture, Meaning, Personal Learning Network, Popup Learning, Social Learning | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The ecosystem of engagement in learning

We do not learn in isolation: we inhabit a rich ecosystem of media, all competing for our attention. TV adverts, posters on the sides of buses, radio, new music, films, the xBox, books, emails from friends, Facebook and Twitter, there … Continue reading

Posted in Agile, Community, Conformity, Creative, Curation, Design, Effectiveness, Engagement, Formal Spaces, Informal Spaces, Learning, Learning Design, Learning Technology, Mediocrity, Pace, Stories, Storytelling, Teaching, Training, Variety, xBox | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The role of ritual and why to avoid too much structure in learning

It’s a big day here in Amsterdam, Queen Beatrix has abdicated and handed the crown over to her son, the now King Willem-Alexander. The Dutch like to party and today is no exception: as i write this the celebrations are … Continue reading

Posted in Community, Continuity, Difference, Effectiveness, Experience, Formal Spaces, Informal Spaces, Learning, Learning Design, Narrative, Pace, Social Learning, Standardisation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Communication at times of organisational change: relevance, amplification and community

Change is the normal state for organisations, but one that many are ill equipped to deal with. As it’s friday, i’ve decided to play with some new ideas: in this case a model to explore the role of social communities … Continue reading

Posted in Agile, Authority, Change, Communication, Community, Connections, Control, Disturbance, Effectiveness, Engagement, Formal Spaces, Gangs, Group Dynamics, Hierarchy, Informal Spaces, Leadership, Management, Personal Learning Network, Social Capital, Social Learning, Support, Town Hall Meetings | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The future of books: the evolution of publishing

Books capture knowledge, hold fossilised thoughts, document romantic stories, explore scientific theory, collect together poems and codify philosophy. Books are repositories of wisdom and love. We used to use books to access knowledge, we gathered them together into collections, themed, … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, Book, Community, e-Books, Education, Experience, Formal Spaces, Informal Spaces, Information, Knowledge, Narrative, Publishing, Social Learning, Stories, Storytelling, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Communicating

I’m writing in the apartment in Amsterdam today, up on the fourth floor, looking out over the city. It’s a bright day, clear views. This morning i’ve been communicating with colleagues in the UK, the US, Germany, Ireland and Asia. … Continue reading

Posted in Authority, Communication, Community, Conformity, Connections, Contact, Control, Conversation, Culture, Dialogue, Diversity, Edgelands, Formal Spaces, Global, Graffiti, Informal Spaces, LGBT, Narrative, Personal Learning Network, Rapport, Social Learning, Tone of Voice, Voice, Words | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Where are your communities? Mapping social learning in the real world and the record store

Concerto is one of Amsterdam’s oldest and best record stores. It has rooms for every genre, as well as a sizeable second hand vinyl department, knowledgeable staff and a great cafe. It’s a ten minute walk from where i’m living … Continue reading

Posted in 'Just in time' learning, Authority, Collaboration, Community, Connections, Conversation, Curation, Discovery, Edgelands, Formal Spaces, Google, Informal Spaces, Information, Knowledge, Learning, Meaning, Mobile Learning, Music, Personal Learning Network, Sharing, Social Learning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Playing with learning: a very sociable model

A conversation on Twitter this morning has made me think about play. Playing is all about learning: it can be a solitary activity or done with friends, it can be done in dedicated ‘formally‘ defined play spaces, or it can … Continue reading

Posted in Assessment, Collaboration, Community, Context, Curiosity, Demonstration, Discovery, Education, Effectiveness, Everyday Reality, Experience, Exploration, Footsteps, Formal Spaces, Graffiti, Informal Spaces, Knowledge, Learning, Learning Design, Learning Journey, Learning Methodology, Mistakes, Play, Reflection, Social Capital, Social Learning | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments