Educational findability is the next big thing for learning. A white paper released today by GoldenSwamp describes the sequence from searching to search optimization to findability that is the logical course of our learning relationship with the online ecology. Although education is not far along in any of the steps, the paper points out that the progression is both necessary and inevitable as learning moves into the connective age.
The image with this post was captured from a tiny moment of Internet activity by the School of Engineering, University of Tokyo. The concept educators have had of teaching teachers and students to search for quality learning materials in the enormity and complexity of the Net is obsolete. As we move even beyond the Web 2.0 interlude, network laws are exerting functions and powers we are only beginning to understand. None of these is more exciting and hopeful that findability. Peter Morville writes in his groundbreaking book Ambient Findability (O’Reilly, 2005, pp. 4-6):
Ambient findability describes a fast emerging world where we can find anyone or anything from anywhere at anytime. We’re not there yet, but we’re headed in the right direction. Information is in the air, literally. And it changes our minds, physically. Most importantly, findability invests freedom in the individual. As the Web challenges mass media with the media of the masses, we will enjoy an unprecedented ability to select our sources and choose our news. In my opinion, findability is going ambient, just in time.
Educators should help make this happen, and as teachers have the fascinating new endeavor before them of using what they know to help related cognitive materials find each other.
