Slavoj Zizek and Rhizomatic Learning

As Dave Cormier is speaking about Rhizomatic learning this week in the #change11 MOOC, I thought about this recent interview Charlie Rose had with the philosopher and cultural critic, Slavoj Zizek.

While I know that Dave’s work on rhizomatic learning does not have the same critical lens that Zizek uses, his way of seamlessly moving from one topic to another, approaching human experience from different perspectives, speaks to me about what may be possible if we extend this discussion (as learning opportunities surround us) to other areas of learning and experiencing the world. In this way it recalls Dave’s thinking:

The rhizome metaphor, which represents a critical leap in coping with the loss of a canon against which to compare, judge, and value knowledge, may be particularly apt as a model for disciplines on the bleeding edge where the canon is fluid and knowledge is a moving target.

I wonder how rhizomatic learning fits with cultural studies, and if in this way it has a certain interdisciplinarity about it?

Jeffrey’s Twitter Updates for 2011-11-09

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Networked Learning Conference – Synchronous Discussion on November 20

The Hot Seats series of online discussions preceding the 2012 Networked Learning Conference will have a synchronous discussion with Terry Anderson & Jon Dron (both at Athabasca University) on Sunday, November 20, at 1:00 MST via Blackboard Collaborate to begin their week of asynchronous discussion, “Nets, sets and groups. Different tools for different contexts.”

As some of the emphasis in the #nlc2012 overlaps that of the #change11 MOOC, I am looking forward to seeing how they complement one another and help me to move my research along. I hope to see some of my colleagues there!

Jeffrey’s Twitter Updates for 2011-11-08

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My Research + #change11 = ?

I had a DM conversation via Twitter this morning with a colleague, and she asked a question that I really could not answer, (which is a bit of a surprise to me!). She asked, “What have you found especially applicable [in the #change11 MOOC] for your research?”

I had no idea what to say. I hit a wall.

Yes, I have been rather engaged over the 8 weeks thus far, though have not really been able to think about how to apply anything I have read to my doctoral research (which, to be frank, is very specific and needs to be finished sooner rather than later). I have engaged with and spoken to Nancy White, Tony Bates, Allison Littlejohn, and Martin Weller about their content weeks, engaged with all 3 of the facilitators several times, and even started regularly commenting on blogs about specifics related to this course, though nothing yet has influenced or aided my research. While I do read the threads and posts in the MOOC-Research group, even they have not given me a sense of how to transition these experiences to something research-based. While this is one of my MOOC Goals, I do find it interesting that I find this such a valuable and eye-opening experience, though I cannot yet seem to connect it to my personal goal #1.

Wonder if I am alone in this sentiment?