Thank You Mr. Nonaka & Takeuchi

In response to kaz.blogs.com "Knowledge and Wisdom I Seek"

Welcome to the "democratization" of knowledge. I was at the MIT Open Courseware site few months back when it was launched, only to find out that it is still a great challenge to codify all the tacit knowledge there is, much more to diffuse knowledge using this single mode of knowledge transfer, and ignore the other modes of knowledge transfer processes.

My reason? I firmly subscribe to the idea that the four knowledge transfer processes of Nonaka & Takeuchi (my two respected knowledge management gurus of whom some American knowledge management literatures love to critic or even ignore to cetain extent); externalization, socialization, combination, and internalization; has to be in harmony for the transfer and diffusion of knowledge to take place effectively and efficiently. Although, they imply that these processes facilitate the creation of knowledge creating company; firms are just like human beings, they are dynamic, they learn, they adapt, and they go through that selectivity process.

Therefore, although the site offers the externalization process, or shall I say codification, the process of socialization and others lack thereof. Although the materials are useful, it would be impossible to escalate them to the wisdom level without those other transfer processes taking place.

Therefore, it is no wonder that the best undergraduate programs in the world require four years, and that I simply can't buy the idea of 3+0 programs, of which I believe is a disgrace and humiliation to the sanctity and virtue of knowledge.

Comments

[KaZ]

Yes, I agree with you and of course Messrs Nonaka & Takeuchi. The OpenCourseWare is passive, and one way. But i believe the reason for OpenCourseWare is to create a venue to share knowledge, like a library. It is not to be the ONLY source of knowledge or, as explained in OCW website, a degree course or an MIT education.

For students, it could be a venue for them to conduct research and compare lecture notes. (I bet the lecturer is gonna be furious when a student rebutt his/her notes, "But Prof. X from MIT said...") :D

For me, i find it useful to enhance my general knowledge. It's like watching Discovery Channel. You learn something new everyday. :)
Then again, in no way can i be a rocket scientist or a neuro surgeon by just taking notes from OCW.

[Idlan]

My opinion is that one of the reasons 3+0 programs were created to achieve one target - have students with degrees ready in the job market pool should there be a need for them. The problem with 3+0 degrees is that there is learning going on, but no real education process. You tend to skip the 'learning about life' bit in the pursuit of pressing the fast forward button and getting a degree.

Imagine getting a degree from an institution you have never really been too. Imagine belonging to an alumni association of a place you have never seen. How much life's experience is lost there? What about the growing up bit.. the finding yourself bit?

Then again, for most people, there isn't much of a choice, is there? It's that piece of paper or bust.