compter technology and learning organization LO28620

From: Jan Lelie (janlelie@wxs.nl)
Date: 05/27/02


Replying to LO28603 --

Hello Marjolaine,

Organizing Learning Organization requires working with explicit and tacit
knowledge in groups and teams. Over the years i've used brown paper
sessions (a.k.a. MetaPlan or Thinking with Hexagons or Moderation Method)
to stimulate thinking and interaction. To speed up reporting we developed
a computer programm with which people could enter their ideas and print
the ideas on cards (hexagons or rectangles). Then we noticed that the
dynamics of the meeting changed: we got more ideas in less time, better
formulated and more creative. This reinforced the necessity for clustering
the ideas using boards. Over the years we've improved out methods and
techniques, so we now can offer a method, techniques and a system with
wich you can improve organisational learning.

The largest part of the success however is due to the condition that our
technology works "same time, same place". I get the impression that you're
not looking for this. In our experience, people can communicate the
content of a message through the internet (explicit knowledge) fairly
well, but the meaning of the message (tacit knowledge), especially the
meaning in the context of a team or group can only be "read" through the
social interaction. Most people need to see, to hear, to feel, to notice
the body language in interpretating a message. In effect, some people
noticed that the participants in the computer supported brainstorm have to
be working in the same room behind a computer. The hearing of the clicking
key-boards, the noticing of others working, the feed back by the ideas
appearing on the screen, stimulate generating and reflecting on ideas.

Take a look at:

http://www.mindatwork.nl/Introduction_mindatwork_in_English.htm

and drop me a line if you want to know more.

Kind regards,

Jan Lelie

Marjolaine Lalonde wrote:

> As I was reading in "Dance for Change", I took special interest in the
> chapter on "On- line Engagement". I am completing a reflexion piece in the
> framework on management post graduate studies at McGill University in
> Montreal more specifically in the field of non-profit sector. My reflexion
> is on the learning organization concept as it applies to my specific
> organization: the Canadian Administrators of Volunteer Resources(CAVR).
>
> One aspect of my reflection is about the use of computer technology and
> our learning abilities. CAVR has recently developed electronic listserve
> allowing for more direct communications between our webmaster basis and
> members. CAVR also has a web site connecting with different other
> organizations.(www.cavr.org)

snip

> I would appreciate to receive some ideas to stimulate my own thinking on
> how our existing technology could be used or expanded to enhance our
> organizational learning.
>
> I read about computer conferencing systems and other possibilities. I am
> interested in the actual tools but also on what technology can do for
> CAVR. Any thoughts would help us to advance our own thinking..

-- 

With kind regards - met vriendelijke groeten,

Jan Lelie

LOGISENS - Sparring Partner in Logistical Development mind@work est. 1998 - Group Resolution Process Support Tel.: (+31) (0)70 3243475 or GSM (car): (+31)(0)65 4685114 http://www.mindatwork.nl info@mindatwork.nl

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