Editorial (Word version)    Edition 8 Contents (Word version)     Edition 8 Contents (HTML version)

 

Welcome to The Knowledge Tree. Edition 8 focuses on tensions in the convergence of e-learning and e-business.

The emerging practices of e-business focus on networking and other associative behaviours, mirroring exchanges in other organic, energetic interactions, like those created inside the human brain, with its network of neuro-transmitters and receptors. Some say it resembles an electrical storm in action, with lots of sparking, rapid transfer and subsequent ‘rumbling’ activity.

Having written this introductory paragraph the night before my modem was blown out by a lightning strike, I can vouch for the capacity of Online Access Centres and Neighbourhood Houses as key nodes in rural Australia’s online and offline, enabling, associative network ;o).

Relationships (associative behaviours) are nothing new to business, but the way they are facilitated is continuing to change, across the Web, over the phone and face to face. The nature of knowledge work and communication, using Web 2.0 and ever more pervasive mobile devices, has become more connective and agile. Many of the contributions in this edition consider how organisations are assimilating this connectivity and agility into internal, business to business (b2b), business to client (b2c) and business to community relationships, to increase creativity, responsiveness, productivity and community development.

Professional partnerships, entrepreneurial collaborations and business-community initiatives are facilitated by the global communications revolution. One such example of e-business social conscience was the December 2005 release of HIV/AIDS prevention games for mobile devices, based on cricket, by ZMQ Software Systems and The House of Learning.

So what’s in store?

Our lead article ‘Managing Emergent Work: Revisiting Jazz Lessons’ from Ann Majchrzak and colleagues at the University of Southern California, (USC) considers the role of improvisation in the management of a massive energy project, where shifting leadership between collaborating organisations and suppliers, whilst maintaining an open public face, contributes to success.

Margaret O’Connell discusses how businesses use and can use e-learning, including how learning is perceived as a business and asks ‘Isn’t it time we dropped the ‘e’ altogether’?

A timesaving commentary podcast, summarising key thought leaders on social software and its role in e-business in the age of ‘connectivism’, is provided by Michael Coghlan. Hearing a line of thinking presented so creatively is certainly an enjoyable way to engage with current international theorists and complex ideas. This is just the start of another learning innovation in the presentation and accessibility of journal articles. See what you think! How well does voice compare with text in this context?

Jennifer Dunbabin and Graham Walsh extrapolate research into the gap between enterprises’ and training organisations’ readiness for e-learning, describing coalescing needs and drivers for business and learning sectors alike.

Frank Bate and Carol Steketee’s research in the oil and gas industry questions the assumption that social interaction works in every corporate e-learning context.

Marlene Manto challenges the need for flashy multimedia, when do-it-yourself, simpler multimedia is faster and, arguably, more motivating for teacher/trainer and learner development teams.

Carole McCulloch reflects on networking as a driver of e-learning, providing access to a wide range of new ‘nodes’ through which opportunities can be created and pursued. Digital stories from network members are testament to the power of these energetic exchanges.

Short sharp video interviews provide hints on enterprise learning and the e-portfolio movement through corporate-institution partnerships from Ghent University’s Dr Martin Valcke.

Dr Marcus Bowles clarifies the need for a complete e-business supply chain in any e-business, including the importance of distinctive organisational and personal learning environments to clients. Barb McPherson offers a ‘down to earth’ take on what’s in e-learning for industry, starting with workplace induction. Dr Neville Higgins outlines advantages and practical tools for industry moving to e-learning. Caryl Oliver discusses new directions in mobile learning.

Current research includes a selection of useful e-business, e-learning and m-learning RSS feeds. Check out Mobile (Deb) Jones (for all things mobile) and Rudy De Waele’s Mobile & Wireless Predictions 2006 and Women in Mobile 5.0 interview series. Dave Austin’s social bookmarking tutorial is worth a look and James Farmers’ (incsub) view on personal learning environments saves lots of research. Denham Grey notes his knowledge management (KM) blog (of six years!) has now morphed into a fantastic KM wiki repository.

In February and March 2006, live online ‘conversations’, with contributors, run in conjunction with the Australian Flexible Learning Framework’s (Framework) E-learning Networks Project, will allow users to discuss and debate articles and surrounding issues in greater depth. For more about the ‘conversations’ and how to participate visit: http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/networks.

Continuing to break new ground, Edition 8 of The Knowledge Tree is accessible to mobile devices and downloadable in chunks to save browsing. It’s all experimental, so please be patient and please give us feedback.

Find out the basics on how to set up and configure your particular mobile device from the Mobile Learning Practitioners Network forum. You’ll need to register and login (free).

Connect, engage and network!