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Collaborative Learning Network Newsletter

V. 2, No. 21

May 26, 2000

Dear CLN Members and Colleagues:

* items are for Members Only

  1. * The next Third Thursday session will take place at 2 pm Eastern time on June 15th. The topic is: Introduction to QuickPlace: a web-based collaborative software tool," by Scott Belyea, IBM Canada. Details on the meeting will be forthcoming in a separate email.

  2. E-Learning Tools: Have you checked out blackboard.com_ Here's the buzz: "Blackboard.com is a free service that enables instructors to add an online component to their classes, or even host an entire course on the Web. Without knowing any HTML, you can quickly create your own course Web site - a Web site that brings your learning materials, class discussions, and even tests online." Might be a low-cost, low-risk way to pilot some new online courses.

  3. * A new paper linked from CLN Members Pages: Mysteries of the Region Knowledge Dynamics in Silicon Valley,by John Seely Brown and Paul Duguid describes the persistence of geographical clusters of knowledge in Silicon Valley, despite the growth of virtual networks. The paper focuses on the need for combining formal knowledge: knowledge of the technology, with informal knowledge: knowledge about the companies and players. The paper defines the factors necessary to develop a "robust knowledge ecology."

  4. * Preparations for the CLN Annual Summit 2000 are underway. The dates are October 25 - 27, 2000, and the location is the IBM TJ Watson Research Labs in Yorktown, NY. One experimental thread proposed for the summit this year is: how can we employ real-time collaborative learning, so that we complete our learning cycle while we are on site at the Summit as much as possible. This will involve creating an in-the-moment proceedings (more on this later), engaging inquiry groups and internal groups in layered experiential activities, and combining this with demonstrations and expert presentations.

  5. Choosing and Integrating Knowledge Management Systems, by Julie Colbert, provides a short and useful summary of the latest KM thinking from the KMWorld 1999 conference.