Gurteen Knowledge Letter
Issue 281 – November 2023
Recently, I hosted two Intergenerational Knowledge Cafés with Hank Kune, Charles Fowler, and Minal Kering as part of World Values Day.
These events united elders (aged 60 and above) and students (aged 16-18) to talk about their values. Though there were some technical difficulties, the Cafés were very successful overall.
The Cafés linked elders from various countries globally with pupils from schools in the UK, India, Kenya, and Nigeria. You may enjoy reading some of the wonderful feedback from the students in India.
Contents
- Reviving Oral Exams
The value of oral assessments in education - Lex Fridman
Podcaster and research scientist at MIT - Creating Marvelous Conversations with David Gurteen
A "Because You Need to Know" Podcast - Resisting Simple Narratives
The allure of simple stories - Do We Really Know What We Think We Know?
The knowedge delusion - The Rest Is Politics Podcast
With Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell - Help Keep My Work Alive
- Unsubscribe
- Gurteen Knowledge Letter
Reviving Oral Exams
The value of oral assessments in education
We’ve become so reliant on written exams and essays that we’ve forgotten the value of old-school oral assessments. This fascinating article, Bring Back the Lost Art of Oral Exams, reminds us that oral exams have a long, venerable history dating back millennia.
Though they faded in popularity over time, oral exams offer unique benefits — they eliminate cheating and plagiarism while providing a more dynamic test of students’ knowledge.
After analyzing their continued use in places like Norway, the author makes a compelling case that we should resurrect oral exams as an authentic way to evaluate true learning.
With new concerns over AI-generated content, the interactive nature of viva voce exams is more relevant than ever. It’s time we revisit this lost art and restore the power of the spoken word (oracy) in education.
Lex Fridman
Podcaster and research scientist at MIT
Lex Fridman is a podcaster and research scientist at MIT, working on human-centered artificial intelligence.
The Lex Fridman Podcast has over 3 million subscribers on YouTube.
On his podcasts, Lex has in-depth conversations with leading thinkers in technology, science, and culture. His guests have included Elon Musk, Deepak Chopra, Roger Penrose, and other prominent figures.
Lex explores various topics, including AI, philosophy, psychology, physics, autonomous vehicles, blockchain, and more.
His conversational style aims to get to the core ideas and insights of his guests. I'd highly recommend his podcasts.
Creating Marvelous Conversations with David Gurteen
A "Because You Need to Know" Podcast
Edwin Morris has just released another intriguing episode in his Because You Need to Know podcast series — a conversation between Edwin and myself, David Gurteen, recorded last April. I just had the pleasure of listening to the podcast and thoroughly enjoyed it, as I had forgotten much of our wide-ranging dialogue.
In the conversation, Edwin and I explored topics including oracy, critical thinking, the idea that humans are not inherently rational thinkers but are designed to reason socially, the importance of listening, and more.
We discussed my work pioneering Knowledge Cafés, Junto clubs, and other conversational spaces to share ideas, akin to the coffee houses and salons of old.
I concluded by sharing my definition of Knowledge Management as having good conversations.
Take a listen; I think you may enjoy it.
Resisting Simple Narratives
The allure of simple stories
Many of our false beliefs seem convincing because they rely on simple, appealing stories. My friend David Creelman recently highlighted to me the tendency we have to readily accept straightforward narratives without verification.
In a post in my blook, The Allure of Simple Stories, I explore what drives this habit and possible ways to overcome this propensity.
Do We Really Know What We Think We Know?
The knowedge delusion
In a post in my blook on Conversational Leadership, I explore the notion that, as individuals, we know very little compared to what we think we know. A significant portion of what we consider knowledge is actually just beliefs that are based on trusting the statements of others.
Using examples like the motion of the Earth around the sun and human-caused climate change, I show how most of us accept facts like these without ever verifying them for ourselves. We outsource our knowledge to teachers, scientists, books, and other authorities.
While we may logically think through some of what we are told, we lack the time, resources, and expertise to honestly look at the primary evidence behind most of our beliefs. Our individual knowledge is more an illusion or delusion than hard-earned understanding.
I discuss research showing a surprising number of Americans think the sun orbits the Earth, revealing that many simply trust their senses over scientific authority. With climate change, most of us believe or disbelieve based on faith in certain institutions, not real comprehension.
Knowledge is mainly communal, based on tribal affiliations, yet we retain an illusion that we know more than we do. We are ignorant of the shallow nature of our knowledge.
You can read my full post here. Let me know your thoughts.
The Rest Is Politics Podcast
With Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell
If you seek insightful political discourse amidst the noise, I highly recommend The Rest is Politics podcast with Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell. Despite differing political perspectives, they engage in respectful, substantive conversations informed by their extensive government and journalism backgrounds.
Take their recent discussion on the Israel-Palestine conflict, for instance. Instead of simplifying the issue or taking sides, they thoughtfully explore its history, narratives, social media's impact, and mutual mistrust. It offers a deeper understanding of the complexity.
This podcast thoughtfully explores important topics. It provides insightful analysis instead of just soundbites and arguments. The podcast is both educational and engaging. It's well worth listening to.
Help Keep My Work Alive
For almost 25 years, I’ve been sharing the Gurteen Knowledge Letter each month, and many of you have been reading it for five years or more. My Knowledge Café also reached a milestone, celebrating its 20th anniversary in September 2022.
If my work has made a difference to you, I’d be grateful if you could consider supporting it. A small monthly donation or any one-off contribution would greatly help cover some of my website hosting costs.
Thank you to the 50+ patrons who already support me – your generosity means a lot.
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Gurteen Knowledge Letter
The Gurteen Knowledge Letter is a free monthly email newsletter designed to inspire thinking around Conversational Leadership and Knowledge Management. You can explore the archive of past issues here.
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David Gurteen
Gurteen Knowledge
Fleet, United Kingdom
