Reading Learning Ecosystems - my reflections

Learning Ecosystems introduces us to a view where machines, data, people and networks intertwine in the modern workplace. This is not a book that offers a transformation of sorts or a single solution to complex problems - it is more of an analysis offering insights to L&D or why not other stakeholders as well.

I was particularly fascinated by Chapter 10 where learning in the "LearnScape" relies on the six pillars: Learner at the centre - Everyone participates differently - Social learning and lean learning - Bridging the knowledge gap - Teamwork and peer coaching - System security. Being a strong advocate of learning cultures and social networks, this chapter opens insights on how peer coaching will have a greater added value in the future and how teams can be encouraged to produce their own content which makes everyone grow faster.

Shipperheijn quotes Nielsen's 1-9-90 rule of social participation here admitting that it may not have a scientifically established basis but is anyhow interesting to notice. We may be divided into Lurkers (90% observe), Intermittent Contributors (9% contribute from time to time) and Heavy Contributors (1% participate a lot and produce most content). I agree with Shipperheijn here on the point that those who learn most are actually the Lurkers. Even though they don't contribute, there is still a point in having social interaction in place. What should be measured here is not the amount of posts from everybody, but learning from other people's posts.

We are introduced to a model called LearnScape, a development framework for organizations including multiple approaches such as design thinking. Shipperheijn uses Wh-questions in the discovery phase of her projects to the point of exhaustion. I'm excited about this because it coaches everyone to think of the right questions and allows for proper root cause analysis. This also ensures that real problems are being solved and technology is not thrown in as an all-purpose solution. All in all, her approach relies on open-ended questions using the lean framework and design thinking principles. This, I believe, yields tested and proven results embedding a human-centric perspective to it throughout the process.

Learning Ecosystems offers a tight data package on modern corporate learning with visions of how technology, machines, AI and humans will collaborate in the future. It's an interesting read for those who want to learn about the latest developments in the world of learning, technology and the future of work. I was particularly taken by the social learning aspects and how LearnScapes can be built systematically and strategically. Some organizations have started future-proofing their systems and people. For those who want to turn their eyes into the future, this book will offer guidance on how to get started.

Published by Kogan Page Limited in 2022 here