Janine’s blog

I’ve been looking for some good simple diagrams of network topologies. My intention was to find topology diagrams of the concept of networks generally but almost all the examples were explicitly about computer networks. Neural networks were also prevalent but the generic concept of networks (which surely predates computers) was well hidden. I eventually found some diagrams at these locations

Basic diagrams

http://www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/topologies.asp 

This site shows 5 basic network technologies (mesh, star, bus, ring, tree)

Delving deeper got into some pretty heavy mathematical theory territory - all I was after was some network diagrams to play with to illustrate an organisational concept! I wonder if there is such a thing as “topology of a networked organisation”? Clearly there are many possible models that might exist within organisations - perhaps a combination of organically occuring ones and deliberately created ones. The following s

Organisational network theory

Multiplex Multi-Core Pattern of Network Organizations: An Exploratory Study The case study demonstrates how this approach could capture the many types of relationship among members as well as the various roles that members play within the network organization. Such an approach can yield new insights on how to better manage networked organizations.

Oh dear this is a heavy duty area of theoretical mathematics. I’m not sure how this all fits with plain English!

Networks, fields and organisations - microdynamics, scale and cohesive embeddings  - a January 2004 journal article that describes a methodology for analysing and mapping social networks in order to predict macro effects from micro characteristics. Interesting but heavy….

Work teams and knowledge management in network organisations - Description of a 2002 PhD study through a London University.

Communities of Practice and other networked organisations How to organise our work and life?” - from the London Knowledge Network - lots of annotated links in this reference.

A 24-HOUR school with no traditional classrooms and where students use mobile phones and laptops to learn is being built in Sydney.  This innovation in the Catholic system is aimed at  improving retention and reducing truancy - the school will cater for 1700 students. Physical attendance is allowed from 6am to 10 pm but access to work and tutorials online is available 24/7. Interesting to keep an eye on…

From Sydney Morning Herald 8 Oct 2006 - http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/evolution-of-education/2006/10/07/1159641572677.html

More detail at Breaking the mould – a parish based learning community

From the same area, Schooling for the 21st Century on the world stage

“The Internet is forcing educators to rethink the way they teach, learn, collaborate and communicate. The challenge now is to engage the so-called “Google Generation” by using Web 2.0 as a learning tool rather than simply a communication tool.”