Networked Learning and Shared Knowledge

Rachel Arts, FCIPD, CMgr MCMI: Organizational development and learning strategist who helps companies succeed through effective digital learning strategies. Founder of the Learning & Development Book Club.

One of this past week’s reading was Planning to Share Versus Just Sharing by Scott Leslie. He posits that although he’s been asked to participate in many institutionally organized collaborations with the idea of sharing, most of these projects either require an inordinate amount of time invested in the decisions on how to share and what to share, or that the costs to share are not sustainable. Leslie spells out why the “institutional-driven/focused” sharing initiative fail.

He contrasted that with the success of his “thriving” personal learning networks where every day he shares and his colleagues share. He even states that he thinks he can’t do his job without these informal networks because they help him keep up with the latest developments in his field.

When I read Leslie’s words, I immediately thought of my sister-in-law Rachel Arts who is an organizational development and learning strategist. She resides in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. She is a Great Britain native, and moved to The Netherlands a couple of years ago when she married my brother-in-law. She is a great example to me of what Leslie describes as one of those individuals who puts themselves out there (as opposed to just “planning” to share), enjoys “surfing these waves” and who “glance[s] over to see other surfers right there beside [her].”

Here is how Rachel introduces herself on one of her platforms: I’m Rachel, and welcome to the Learning & Development Hub, home of the L&D Book Club! I’m a firm believer in the power of a great learning network, and that’s what I’d like to create here – a safe place for professionals to share with and learn from each other.

Rachel shares on her company social media platform, Facebook group, in her blog, YouTube videos, and on LinkedIn. Give her a look!