Part 1: LOCUS OF INTEREST
I've been looking at the various ideas and I continue to be rather unsure
about what WAOE is intended to be about. Here's a crude translation of options:
1. RESEARCH & EVALUATION. My sense from Steve's postings is that
his particular interest is in research and assessment of what's out there
and/or being developed (not entirely clear whether this includes both
software tools and courseware).
2. Other postings seem to indicate an interest in a RESOURCE/IDEAS
LOCATION, e.g., in Mihkel's words " helping people to access online
resources and also take care that all those resources and services are
freely available. "
3. Still others seem to express interest in an INNOVATION kind of
group. Again using Mihkel's words " emphasize on developmental work and try
to design new learning models of the Information age,"
I can see how all these things might be done and/or have overlap. Still I
have a sense that we are rather all over the map and I wonder just where
theLOCUS OF INTEREST is among those of us who have expressed interest in
building/participating in a WAOE.
Are we in a place yet where these 3 'visions' are commonly supported in
some way? Are there folk that want to focus on one of these in particular?
Are there other 'vision's of what WAOE might do?
Part 2: LOCUS OF CONTROL
I recognize the importance of addressing 'infrastructure' issues and
various kinds of logistics (issues I've spoken to in prior posts). It also
seems to me that we do not yet have any agreement about the form and
'structure' of WAOE. This is as may be expected but and I'm starting to feel
a little uncomfortable with some of what I sense. In particular, and
perhaps related to Part 1 above, I have a feeling that there are those who
seek to have a high degree of control over WAOE (resembling hierarchical,
centralized organization & decision-making models) and others who are
operating from a more 'community-oriented' perspective (circle approaches,
collective decision-making, shared leadership, decentralized). As Mihkel
says (picking up on his words a lot aren't I?) "And, who knows, offical
organization is only one form of cooperation. There are also other forms."
My hope is that WAOE be fairly 'organic' in its development (now and in the
future) and evolve with a minimum of machinations from 'above.' That, while
maintaining a particular intent (whatever that might be), it be more
divergent than convergent as an organization. I certainly hope we don't
foreclose options and -- whether under a WAOE banner of through some other
vehicle -- that we find ways to address various ideas.
Perhaps one way to proceed, following from other suggestions like Angela's,
is to establish some sub-groups/committees around areas of interest/vision.
The subgroups could then work through their particular visions, principles
and such, and feed a summary back to the full group for consideration
regarding the 'pods' of interest/activity in WAOE. This might help us move
in a more focussed way on certain aspects of a collective vision and also
help inform the collective about the most appropriate vehicles and
structures. Thoughts?
Fiona
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Dr. F. S. Crofton
Principal
The ORCAD Group Inc.
101-330 West 2nd Street
North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 1E1
ph/fax: (604) 985-8381
website: www.sustainability.com/orcad
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