OLDaily By Stephen Downes May 18, 2002 A Policy for Continuous Learning in the Public Service of Canada Researchers frequently comment that the most difficult barriers to the deployment of online learning are often policy barriers. This policy is a model of procedures that can be put into place in an organization - in this case the Public Service of Canada - that begin to overcome those barriers. By creating an expectation that staff will learn continuously, and by putting the resources in place to ensure that such learning is possible, a policy framework such as this can go a long way. Note that the policy is technologically neutral. That, also, is as it should be. By Secretariat, Treasury Board of Canada, May 15, 2002 [Refer][Research][Reflect] How Dangerous is Online Chat for Kids? Summary of a House Subcommittee hearing called "Chatting On-Line: A Dangerous Proposition for Children" held in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Interesting contrast between what the legislators apparently wanted to hear - that there is a need for new legislation - and what presenters felt was the best approach - increased education for children along with the enforecement of current legislation. I am with the latter camp: "The value of empowering our children, through education with the knowledge and critical-thinking skills that they need to be able to independently assess the every-day situations they will encounter while online cannot be overstressed... Education and empowerment are key." By Jamie McCarthy, Slashdot, May 14, 2002 [Refer][Research][Reflect] Know a friend who might enjoy this newsletter? Feel free to forward OLDaily to your colleagues. If you received this issue from a friend and would like a free subscription of your own, you can join our mailing list at http://www.downes.ca/cgi-bin/website/subscribe.cgi [ About This NewsLetter] [ OLDaily Archives] [ Send me your comments]