Open Learning Network

In essence, the notion of "Open Learning" entails learning without boundaries. Objective is to advance knowledge frontiers incrementally & continually; test accepted norms and seek understandings at fundamental level.

"Network" embraces a group of individuals in knowledge sharing without barriers and participation to achieve group synergy.

Lofty goals it may be, but that's the sight I set in the horizon.

Framework overview:

1) Knowledge resources:
Collation of established knowledge base.
Education resources to enrich scientific understanding:
1) Sound system fundamentals - foundation knowledge to maintain, upgrade and implement new design.
ii) BH Design fundamentals - foundation knowledge in good design principles: flight paths, light control, internal layout & "minimal-energy" concept BH.

2) BH management "know how"
Application of technology in:
Micro-environment management
Operational issues
Security issues

3) Experimental learning & mutual consultations

4) Open agenda: Innovations to break new ground?

How does it differ from open forums?

1. The differentiation factor should be in knowledge content.
I would author topics under "Sound System & BH Design fundamentals" in new 2 blogs.
A 3rd blog to cover topics 2 to 4.
All "membership access" controlled.

2. "Closed-network" to foster "true" open sharing.

3. Ideal in fostering a "Culture of Altruism" to assist group members.

4. Open to adopt new ideas and better guidelines.

5. Informal meetings as and when appropriate.

6. Anything missed out or better ideas to add?

Admission criteria:
Principle is to reward "generosity with generosity" - made a contribution to : Swiftlet Community Education Fund". Amount? Up to your heart - which always has been.

Registration of Interest: By 31st March 2011

There are more ideals I wish to instill into the group - especially to replace "selfishness with selflessness" in participation.

I hope some years on we can all look back at achievements made together as a group.

Sincerely,

An Invitation to Open Learning

A friend commented recently.. my blogs have return to live. Guess he has taken for "Dead". Many would too, as I have no time line restarting my "engine" again.

Yes, indeed. 25 posts so far this year compared to 12 for the whole of 2010. Main reason is a 10 mths hibernation last year. Being away 3 weeks now, there is time to reflect upon my learning path.

In spite of the lull period, the statistics counter continued to click. It was baffling, as if there is life of its own! Still haven't figured that out.

My other thoughts are sorted out though.. I am extending an open invitation to participate in knowledge sharing "network".









To those who appreciate the contents here, I thank you. While others may regard as "Hot Air" - or saying "alot of NOTHING". I can agree on that too.

Blogs are just windows to my thoughts and activities. In-depth knowledge entails a fair bit of time & effort to write. Thought of a book someday but frankly I lack the motivation.

Some blog readers touches me with their generosity recently. They came forward with contributions to the school building project. I did not solicit, it was purely out of their hearts. Links to recap:

http://my-swiftlet-farm.blogspot.com/2010/11/visitor-on-special-mission.html
http://my-swiftlet-farm.blogspot.com/2011/01/swiftlet-community-education-fund.html

Not that I went out of way to do charity, it crossed my path. Somehow activity here connects the "needy" with "generosity". In appreciation of contributions from them, the donation was in the name of "Swiftlet Community Education Fund".














I feel we are fortunate to be in swiftlet ranching. At some point in life we seek to do something meaningful too. The "Education Fund" idea extends beyond a single project.

Once a poor student having to earn pocket money by giving tuition. A scholarship make a world of difference! I know what that is like.

To those who contributed, I want to offer something in return. None is expecting it, for this is being revealed first time.

I would share my knowledge and experience acquired, details in coming posts.

Experience taught me genuine knowledge sharing is within a "close-network". When people of right chemistry comes together after knowing each other - only then barriers come down.

This is an open invite to others too. If the idea appeals to you PM me chng.charles@gmail.com

Feng Shui for BH?

Talking of "spirits" bring on another topic I know nothing about. This is one aspect I count myself out. Pardon my ignorance here.

"Feng Shui" literally translates to "Wind" & "Water". My narrow understanding relates "Wind" to ventilation & "Water" to humidity and both unified by concept of thermal energy in the BH. Come to think about it, there is always wind and water "energy" around the BH, isn't it?
















I've have seen many BH with "Feng Shui" plaque mounted at a prominent spot, some above entrance hole. Some placed to face physical obstructions far away, such a steel antenna tower, chimney of a temple crematorium or even neighboring BH! An application of super-natural energy?















My curiosity remains confined to the cultural links between the octagonal "Feng Shui" symbol to the Dharma wheels...









seen at Buddhist and Hindu Temple gates.











I was visiting a friend's BH under construction in southern Thailand last year. There is a 90 deg. turn from main entrance to the passageway leading upstairs. Still in time to make adjustment I thought.

"So why not move the entrance to align with the passageway?" I suggested.

"The Feng Shui master said the entrance should face that direction to match my personal "attributes"." came the reply.

Oh..wow, that is beyond my comprehension and end of story!

Feng Shui masters are more empowering (& better paid) than consultants I guess. Another angle for CON-sultants to ponder... for

"Perception is Reality"

He provides the "X-factor" for the success of your BH,
else not his problem if otherwise!

I once watch a TV interview of Malaysian "Feng Shui" master on job matching "employee's facial" attributes to work roles. It is based on scientific principles too.. blah..blah..blah. Amazing, why I can never think like them?

As he was challenged, does it really work? "We only provide the guidelines, it's up to management to implement correctly", how adept was the answer.

"Head" he wins, "Tail" he doesn't loose either.

Same, same, how nice!

Renovating an existing Bird House

Believe me, this can be scary!

In the process of building my standalone BH, I couldn't wait for its completion to gain hands on experience. An opportunity arose and I acquired an existing shop unit BH. I was buying time in a way, rational was to prepare myself prior to the new BH start up.

Photo taken before realizing it was for sale.




















It was a neglected 3 storey BH. Sound system had broken down, humidifiers were not running!

The previous owner was superstitious too, there were deities at corner on ground floor with red electric candles and a "cosmetic powder kit" next to it... huh, (female?) spirits residing there or what?

It was really bizarre! Imagine the eerie feeling when walking there in darkness! Later on even renovation workers dared not remove it for fear of bad omen. That was not the real "scary" experience. Even I don't believe in ghosts, still a bit scared when in there alone. Ever heard of haunted house converted to BH? :o)

Birds were residing on the 2nd storey only, non on other levels. Reasons were obvious, internal layout was simply BAD among others.

It had to be renovated. Question was what and how much to change?

My friends cautioned me not to be drastic to minimize impact on resident birds. But I decided otherwise. It was a bold decision to disregard advice from the experienced. Looking back I had only "half-baked" knowledge then.

My heart sank soon as the renovation works began. All juveniles were gone! The empty feeling was scary as I inspected the work in progress each day, wondering how many adult birds may remain upon completion. The point of no return crossed - putting my beliefs to test and come what may!

I may not know exactly how many birds did not return.. but now almost 2 years on the nests count has more than doubled. Other floors are well populated now. Had I not proceed with necessary changes, I doubt this would be the outcome.

No big deal to brag about really, at least know I "bite the bullet" and did the right things. The BH is still imperfect and shall continue to enrich my learning.

Believe me, in the process I also took risks putting to test the significance of several factors. It was an invaluable learning experience neither books, seminars nor forum discussions can provide. What has become general knowledge are quoted and repeated by everybody. Nobody ranks their significance.

There is little to learn from the "public domain" after a while. Not that I know everything, there are more hypes promoting products and services out there than the kind of knowledge I am after.

Most people seek "quick remedies" like bird sounds and aroma to improve their BH yields. That's perfectly understandable. IMHO there are more to that.

Perhaps those "in-the-know" would agree tacitly. Can we count to hear from them? Good luck.

In the Kingdom of the BLIND...

Someone left this comment earlier:

"In the Kingdom of the Blind, one eye Jack is the King". A point for musing here.




















Few years ago while I participated on forums and watch activities there, there was an incident someone pleaded for help to nurse chicks he harvested along with the nests. No kidding, it was a distress call. Not long after he metamorphosed as a consultant in blog space. How interesting.

There was another individual who called everyone "Sifus" as their brains being picked. Soon he "self-graduated" as consultant too, stood on roof top proclaiming, "Which consultant did like I do?" a display of "one-up-manship" and getting more confident later - claimed "I don't like it, so do the birds". Huh, did he "check-in" for the birds? How interesting again.

It is not to envy as "sour grapes". These are pretty smart people who are capable of progress through self learning. Point is depth and breath in knowledge really need time to accumulate. It takes 3-4 years to do a basic degree in science/engineering, another 3-4 years for a postgraduate specialty. Even then fresh graduates come into real world as "green horns".

In cyberspace, anyone can put up their 2 cents worth. This is a good thing to propagate and share ideas. On the other hand truths, half-truths, myths and misleading ideas are all confounded. One needs to pick with eyes and mind wide open.

Otherwise, it can be

"In the Kingdom of the Blind, the "One-eyed" man is the King"

IMHO, there are no Kings on "Knowledge Land". Learning is open ended and knowledge frontiers are being pushed forward all the times. To stay still is to be left behind.

Paradigm of Learning

Pardon me being mean to ruffle some feathers in earlier blogs.. (a clash of egos perhaps).

What I am leading to is taking stock of learning from time to time. Humbly share my experience and not preaching "how to suck eggs". Each has our own unique experience.

My first job in private sector was with a US multi-national company. Week 1 was honeymoon - a bunch of young recruits grouped together on an orientation program. I came out with 2 key concepts stuck in head ever since.

1) Towards the end we were each given a "3-D" jig-saw puzzle with a time limit to solve. It was not to test individual ability (else should be prior to hiring), then we were split into small groups and attempt again. It was a demonstration when solving a complex problem - it is more effective with lateral thinking, each member contributes a different perspective. A nice jargon is "Synergy".

I learned this many times over .. "Output of a group > sum of (output of individuals)"
Saw the light beyond arithmetic logic.















2) Productive performance can be increased by 3 ways -
i) Via improve/simplify work flow/process etc, -> incremental results limited by human efficiency.
ii) Through capital investments i.e. mechanization, automation etc. -> more significant improvements driven with technology.
iii) Through innovation "thinking out of the box" -> leads to quantum leap in performance improvement. That's the key point implanting into heads of the new hires.

What's the relevance to swiftlet farm endeavor? Take your own pick from above.

Just as any new venture, we all start from zero base. Good that we can Google search nowadays, join forums and pick ideas from blogs - a good way to kick start. Pick up the art at bottom of learning curve.

I saw that as my stage 1. Novice - "Monkey see, monkey do" like a kid.













Next you learn from your own mistakes as well as from others.

Then came to realize those who really "in-the-know" are having multiple BHs, busy reaping gains quietly and never seen in cyberspace. Why should they?

There are many smart people out there too.. picking others brains and went further through self discovery. Some after a year or 2, promote themselves on blog space as "self-graduated" consultants. Only to tell more if you engage their services/products. Nothing wrong, just business as usual.

Stage 2. The next step up the learning is steep, to increase bird population & yields.. there is "no free lunch" here. Seminars to attend. More expensive book costing US$200+! Birds calls CD & aromas of all sorts of fancy names in the marketplace to check out.



















Some may take a shorter path by engaging a consultant to start off. Will they tell you all even as claimed? As I've witnessed several cases, after payments made and a bit of hand holding, you are on your own again.

Many would form informal groups, certainly helpful but may not propel to the next level.

Somewhere I read, to be an expert in any subject - one has to put in 10,000 hrs typically! That works out to 4.8 years; on 8hr/day, 5 days/wk basis.

Is there a faster path to cross the barrier ? Through innovation perhaps.

Still it is no short cut, one still need to put in the efforts & hours. This also entail taking risks and learn from mistakes on the way.









To innovate, foundation of knowledge has to be at fundamental level. That's the analytical tool to sieve through new ideas and foster its development.

To have synergy, it is nice to have a core group. With or without, I have been chucking along.. slowly.

Knowledge boundaries are still abound to push. The road ahead may be bumpy but still exciting.

Another case of self denial

History is in the making across middle east, razed by political storms in recent weeks. Right now all eyes are on Col. Gaddafi in Libya. As I followed news coverage, he blamed Al Qaeda who drugged the protesters.
















After the first interview granted to foreign journalists.. as BBC reports:
"The Libyan leader, Col Muammar Gaddafi, has denied there is any fighting on the streets of Tripoli and has said that he is loved by all his people.

Col Gaddafi told the BBC's Jeremy Bowen that protesters who had been demonstrating against him were from al-Qaeda.

He said that his people would die to protect him."

How hilarious! It is no laughing matter in Libya though.

This reminds of a recent incident as I read a blog post on tweeters - an article a friend sent "Are we using right frequency speakers". Allow me to add another case as

5) Case of "A little knowledge can mislead."

First I thought it was a post by a CON-sultant, as an explanation was flawed. I traced to the author trying to highlight the error. After a couple of emails exchanges to pin it down.

From final email:
"I see now that the first sentence I quoted from J....'s blog make you confused.
I think it should be written correctly as " the frequency range of a swiftlet sound is between.................... The word "echolocation" in that sentence should be left out."

Huh! So it was someone's (Fullard et. al., 1993) publication that was wrong! Does one quote others' words with "correction" by omission?

It amounts to "Not my fault really, only if the quote is corrected so won't confuse you." Am I confused, really? How hilarious!

Perhaps this cartoon tells the story better...













To deny reality when confronted, is being blind with eyes wide open. Gaadafi or not, is another case of self denial.

One of my past time is "people watching".. many amusing people out there. There is a Chinese saying which translates literally to "Watch the world beneath with laughing eyes".