"I never let schooling interfere with my education."- Mark Twain.
In the past decade, we Indians have experienced the Information revolution. For other developed countries, this revolution started earlier than a decade. From endless tries for getting through to a loved one by phone to 2 Mb/S DSL internet on the same once erratic telephone line, we can claim to have come of age (even though we could do with better broadband connectivity & bandwidth). The mass explosion and quick access to a major part of the knowledge, wisdom and learning resources ever known to man has led to revolutions in everything - right from how we shop, how we communicate to how we learn. Almost everything has been digitized - be it Ancient Classical Music or Manuscripts of the greatest writings ever. And what's even better is the fact that most of it is, colloquially, 'a click away'!
The rennaisance & reformation movemements, the Industrial revolution, and many other such eras have produced a wealth of knowledge and information that was earlier disseminated by means of the printing press. However, the proliferation levels of the printing press are belittled by the new means of dissemination of that same information, knowledge and wisdom that we have. And on top of that, new information and knowledge is being produced at a break neck rate.
In such an era, where global boundaries are fast losing significance, globalization of trade of goods and services is not only inevitable, it is indispensable. It is only a consequence of such mobility that we require learning resources in the same vein. We must make use of that knowledge effectively to enrich humanity.
It is a vital necessity to have a new paradigm for learning. Based on easy, cost effective learning, this paradigm should be infinite, flexible and have optimum efficiency, not restricted by any sort of 'curriculum'. Brain power must be utilized to its limit. Brain power must be developed. Effort and time spent on learning must be reduced, without compromising on output. Learning for personal satisfaction and desires, professional competency and upgradation of skills is the order of the day, not mere learning to get a 'degree' (which most people have, anyway). With a large number of people having access to cheap learning resources, one cannot afford to take it easy. With substantially large numbers of people accessing the internet for learning, one will be left behind if he doesn't keep up, his or her productivity levels will not just be good enough in comparison to the world's current or future standards.
Maximising learning is the the need of the hour. The maximization must not be measured by time put in for learning, or the number of subjects a person has a command over, but by the imapact it has on the global economy and humanity. And this maximization must start from day 1 - the day a child is born - to ensure that he/she has the capacity to be a contributing global citizen.
That's it, as far as my opinion is concerned. It was a prelude to a wonderful 'e book' I found on http://www.thelearningweb.net/ - Called The Learning Revolution which dwells on every imaginable aspect of learning, aspects that shape learning, things like six sigma, TQM, and their impact on the world.
I'll quote some things the books dwells upon, alongwith its objectives :
From the website - The beliefs of the book
From the website - Topics the book dwells on (a WIDE variety)History's newest revolution: the power to change your life
This book is based on eight main beliefs:1. The world is hurtling through a fundamental turning point in history.
2. We are living through a revolution that is changing the way we live, communicate, think and prosper.
3. This revolution will determine how, and if, we and our children work, earn a living and enjoy life to the fullest.
4. For the first time in history, almost anything is now possible.
5. Probably not more than one person in five knows how to benefit fully from the
hurricane of change - even in developed countries.6. Unless we find answers, an elite 20 percent could end up with 60 percent of each nation's income, the poorest fifth with only 2 percent. That is a
formula for guaranteed poverty, school failure, crime, drugs, despair, violence
and social eruption.7. We need a parallel revolution in lifelong learning to match the information revolution, and for all to share the fruits of an age of potential plenty.
8. Fortunately, that revolution - a revolution that can help each of us learn anything much faster and better - is also gathering speed. This book tells its story. It also acts as a practical guide to help you take control of your own future. The
main elements of the revolution are twofold. They link the modern marvels of
brain research with the power of instantly available information and knowledge.
. ADHD
. Kaizen
. NLP
. Phonics
. TQM
PS :This post violates Aditya's idea of laconically minimalisitc posts, but I shall take the liberty of violating it with my rhetoric since I strongly associate with the power of this book. And I have't got beyond the 10th page!
