OECD on Learning Networks

Posted on | November 6, 2007 | 2 Comments

Don Ledingham highlighted the recent report from the OECD on the future of schooling. Following my recent talk on learning networks, it is interesting to see that they have included a scenario on ‘Learning Networks and the Network Society’ amongst the various scenarios that face countries today in taking forward the development of their schools’ systems. In this scenario, OECD sees the schools per se as having withered away, a complex web of learning interactions taking their place.

Their description of what this scenario might look like is worth repeating here:

THE “LEARNING NETWORKS AND THE NETWORK SOCIETY” SCENARIO

Dissatisfaction with schools and new possibilities for learning leads to schools being abandoned.
Learner networks as part of the broader “network society”.
Networks based on diverse parental, cultural, religious and community interests – some very local in character, others using distance and cross-border networking.
Small group, home schooling and individualised arrangements become widespread. A substantial reduction of existing patterns of governance and accountability.
Exploitation of powerful, inexpensive ICT.
Specific professionals called “teachers” disappear. Demarcations – between teacher and student, parent and teacher, education and community – blur and break down. New learning professionals emerge.

Other scenarios include:
THE “BUREAUCRATIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS CONTINUE” SCENARIO (already highlighted by Don)
THE “SCHOOLS AS FOCUSED LEARNING ORGANISATIONS” SCENARIO
THE “SCHOOLS AS CORE SOCIAL CENTRES” SCENARIO
THE “EXTENDING THE MARKET MODEL” SCENARIO
THE TEACHER EXODUS AND SYSTEM MELTDOWN SCENARIO

As Don says, the current system in Scotland probably reflects the ‘bureaucratic school systems’ scenario. In some senses, the various scenarios established by the OECD can be seen as stages along a continuum, from bureaucratic rigidity to network learning, but with the doomsday scenario of meltdown there as a warning of what could happen if that the rigidity and inbuilt-inertia of the bureaucratic system fails to give.

Technorati Tags: schooling, oecd, don ledingham, scottish education

Category: education, schooling

Comments

2 Responses to “OECD on Learning Networks”

NickP
November 6th, 2007 @ 9:14 pm

It’s the rigidity and inertia of the current system that has helped it to survive for so long – there have been a number of opportunities down the ages for the system to reform itself in relatively radical ways but it remains one that has changed little for sooooo long. So what is so different this time?

It isclear that it will change this time because the prime mover is changing so much of everything else in the post-industrisal era in such radical ways, but we haven’t yet reached the tipping point. But it can’t be far off. I’m just convinced that the tansition (to whatever) will be protracted and there’ll be a lot of blood on the carpet!
joe wilson
November 6th, 2007 @ 11:50 pm

Have a look at Bobby’s posting on how we are moving on qualifications development – http://www.scribd.com/doc/466697/Collaborative-qualification-development- fits with tertiary education bit – the vocational world where many stakeholders already have a say in what standards and qualifications look like – when we have wikified the process – we will also wikify the product allowing an ongoing feedback loop which will include learners and those who deliver.

On related topic – those assessing and delivering in the workplace have to maintain a CPD log showing their technical competance this in addition to any qualifications they have acquired in the past