Stanford University MOOC course update

I've previously blogged about the 'Massively Open Online Course' phenomenon that is offering courses from many of the world's top university courses free of charge. Having taken the plunge with Stanford University's 'Design Thinking' course, I've been hugely impressed.

After only one week, I can see the there are many aspects of he way this course is structured that we could apply to wider knowledge sharing and learning in organisations.

• We are encouraged to join small learning syndicates and use the course discussion forum, Slideshare, Prezi Online and Skype to share. 
• The course content is well signposted and a nice mix of 2 to 3 minute tutorial videos and related short but challenging assignments, to be submitted on a weekly basis. 
• There is integration between the course diary and my own diary (for release of new materials and assignment deadlines).
• There are always peers and the course tutors to get feedback from.
• The importance of early prototyping and the validity of learning from failed tryouts.

There are lots of related additional resources made available. A couple that I have particularly enjoyed and are relevant for knowledge sharing and innovation practice are:

The Secret of Your Success? Make Others Successful
Taking Teamwork to the Extreme

Photo credit: turiskopio

What's in the sauce?

One of the most requested 'wants' from the April 2013 Wants and Offers event was advice on demonstrating the value of knowledge sharing, collaboration and innovation practice. In effect, a way of measuring the 'intangible' value of these techniques and initiatives. Anecdotal 'evidence' is simply not enough, although an important part of presenting a value case.

I've been doing some research into this topic in anticipation of running a KIN Roundtable or Masterclass later in the year. As a result, I've added a number of relevant articles to the KIN Management Buy-in SIG library. 

For the most common-sense view on the topic of measuring intangibles, see this excellent blog entry from Jacob Morgan (and the accompanying reader comments). Whilst not the solution, understanding that 'it's in the sauce' is important. In other words, collaboration and knowledge sharing are just a couple of ingredients in the successful mix. Deconstructing the mix is one of the valuation techniques mentioned in the classic Karl-Eric Sveiby article written in 2001, updated in 2010. 

KIN will be holding a Members' Masterclass on 'Measurement' in the Autumn. 

Photo credit: Craft0logy