Peter Senge, a pioneer of applying systems thinking to learning, defines learning as “a process that occurs over time and always integrates thinking and doing.” During a recent conference for Chief Learning Officers, he addressed how knowledge is generated and diffused. It is generated by teams, defined as “people who need each other to produce a result” and the core learning unit of any organization. “An invention can result from individual effort, but innovations are intensely collaborative.” Learning is highly contextual.”It only happens in the context of something meaningful and when the learner is taking action.” Knowledge diffusion cannot be separated from relationships formed through our normal networks. “We must find ways to create environments in which these natural networks will flourish.” (NetFax 11/8/99)
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