Patrick Blessinger

Fostering sustainable learning ecosystems

Fostering sustainable learning ecosystems Patrick Blessinger and Madasu Bhaskara Rao The value of knowledge has grown exponentially over the past several decades. In fact, in the modern era, the value of knowledge has become so important to human and social development that education is now universally recognized as a human right. These three concepts – education, learning, and knowledge - have become inextricably linked. In today’s world, human knowledge is produced primarily through formal learning (institutionalized education such as schools and universities), nonformal learning (self-directed education such as instructional videos, podcasts, blogs, and websites), and informal/incidental learning (everyday life experiences). Thus, the development of new knowledge happens primarily through one’s prior knowledge and personal experiences. To say that all people have a right to education is to imply that all people have a right to learn and acquire knowledge throughout the entirety of their lives – lifelong and lifewide learning. [...]

Patrick Blessinger2023-03-12T16:39:58+00:00March 12, 2023|Tags: Education for Sustainable Development, Learning Design, Learning Ecosystem, Madasu Bhaskara Rao, Patrick Blessinger, V9A3|

Reimagining education in the age of the artificial

See the special report on AI and higher education by University World News. Reimagining education in the age of the artificial Patrick Blessinger and Abhilasha Singh Ever since humans learned to speak, formed social communities, and invented written language, they have gradually decoupled themselves, link by link, from the evolutionary shackles of natural selection and survival of the fittest restraints. Over the past several thousand years, humans have also been decoupling themselves from the restraints placed on them by authoritarian regimes. This latter condition has proven equally difficult but with knowledge comes awareness and with awareness comes the desire for freedom and self-determination. One of the chief outcomes of this two-pronged decoupling process is that humans are now able, to a large degree, to adjust the environment to fit their needs rather than merely adapting to the whims and conditions of the environment. Perhaps the most significant event that shifted [...]

Patrick Blessinger2023-03-12T16:22:05+00:00February 25, 2023|Tags: Abhilasha Singh, Artificial Intelligence, Higher Education, Patrick Blessinger, V9A2, Web 4.0|

Higher education and the emerging environmental revolution

This article first appeared in University World News Higher education and the emerging environmental revolution Patrick Blessinger, Mandla Makhanya, and Mirela Panait Over the past 250 years, the world has experienced unprecedented political, economic, social, technological and environmental change. In addition to the many socio-politico revolutions that have occurred over the past 250 years, much of the progress during this time period has been the result of industrial revolutions. These industrial revolutions have transformed the planet in many ways – both positively and negatively. The First Industrial Revolution (circa 1760 CE to 1840 CE) was mainly characterised by the invention of mechanised manufacturing technologies – for example, tools, machinery and steam engines – which set the foundation for future revolutions. The Second Industrial Revolution (circa 1870 CE to 1914 CE), also known as the Technological Revolution, was mainly characterised by the diffusion of electrification, mass production, mass transportation and mass communication systems – for example, electricity, steel, petroleum, [...]

Patrick Blessinger2022-08-17T20:05:33+00:00August 17, 2022|Tags: Environment, Higher Education, Mandla Makhanya, Mirela Panait, Patrick Blessinger, Sustainable Development, V8A10|

Urban Renewal is Key to Sustainable Development

Urban Renewal is Key to Sustainable Development Patrick Blessinger and Abhilasha Singh Currently, over half of humanity lives in cities. This percentage is expected to increase as more people around the world continue to move from non-urban locations to urban areas in search of economic opportunity and better social conditions. These two factors are key motivators in their search for better work conditions and a higher quality of life for themselves and their families. In response, cities are challenged with providing basic services for this influx of new residents such as housing/shelter, security services, healthcare services, and basic infrastructure needs like sanitation, utilities, and transportation. Without these basic services, cities run the risk of increased crime and homelessness. A century ago, when the majority of people lived on farms, they arguably were more self-sufficient because they could grow their own food and live off the land. Although they did not [...]

Patrick Blessinger2022-07-31T21:52:37+00:00July 31, 2022|Tags: Abhilasha Singh, Learning Society, Patrick Blessinger, Sustainable Development, Urban Renewal, V8A9|

Education 4.0 and its Key Role in Sustainable Development

This article first appeared in University World News Education 4.0 and its key role in sustainable development Patrick Blessinger, Ahmad Samarji and Haydeé Ramírez Lozada Since the First Industrial Revolution (circa 1800), humanity has experienced several major waves of political, economic, social, technological, and environmental development. These major waves of development have come to be termed 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 as a way of classifying the major turning points since the First Industrial Revolution. Many people believe that the world is now experiencing a fourth wave (4.0) of development. Thus, in the fourth wave, Education 4.0 coincides with Globalisation 4.0, Industry 4.0, Society 4.0, Web 4.0, and Environment 4.0. This broad system of classification can serve as a useful mental model to bring clarity to the key factors driving global development. Globalisation 4.0 is characterised by hyper-connectivity and the rapid (or instantaneous) movement of goods, capital, energy, people, and information as a result of [...]

Patrick Blessinger2022-07-12T22:49:07+00:00July 12, 2022|Tags: Ahmad Samarji, Basic Education, Haydeé Ramírez Lozada, Higher Education, Leadership, Sustainable Development, V8A8|

The Emerging Learning Society

The Emerging Learning Society Patrick Blessinger, Habiba Chaoui, Hari Kamali, and Inge Rozendal The advent of the Digital Revolution (also known as the Third Industrial Revolution – circa 1960 CE to 2000 CE) ushered in the Information Age. This period was characterized by the ubiquitous use of information and communication technologies, especially digital technologies such as computers, robotics, and the internet. During this period, relatively simple data-based systems (to process raw facts) gradually developed into more sophisticated information-based systems (to support human decision-making) and eventually developed into more complex knowledge-based systems (to generate new knowledge). At each level of processing (data to information to knowledge), more meaning, context, and value are being added to the sense-making process. These systems are, if effective, extensions of human intelligence. Since there are inherent limitations and constraints on what the brain and nervous system can do, humans use their intelligence to design and [...]

Patrick Blessinger2022-07-04T17:02:53+00:00July 4, 2022|Tags: Habiba Chaoui, Hari Kamali, Inge Rozendal, Learning, Learning Ecosystem, Learning Society, Patrick Blessinger, V8A7|

Rethinking Humanity’s Relationship to the Planet

Rethinking Humanity’s Relationship to the PlanetPatrick Blessinger, R. Kavena Shalyefu, and Gisele M. ArrudaLike all species on planet Earth, the story of humanity is the story of survival. However, unlike other species, the story of humanity is the story of overcoming the greatest of odds (perhaps a one hundred trillion to one outcome) to emerge as the dominant species on the planet. Since living organisms first evolved billions of years ago, it has taken a very long time for life to evolve from simple microorganisms to intelligent life (humans). Since humans are now the dominant species on Earth, they have also become the voice of the planet and, as such, have assumed an ethical responsibility to protect the planet.Given the vastness of the universe (trillions of light-years across) and the estimated 200 quintillion habitable planets in the known universe, it is likely that lifeforms exist elsewhere. However, there is still [...]