Conversations on Learning

Information overload is certainly something many of us struggle with. This post by George Seimens helps understand one way to deal with this.

As I build my own learning networks, I am "plugging in" to the
thinking, decision making, and filtering habits of others. I have about
300 blogs in my RSS aggregator. The ideas that I find of most value are
clipped, blogged, or furled. Anyone who follows my elearnspace blog encounters the distillation of my information sources. When I read Stephen's, Will's, or Clarence's
blogs, I receive the benefit of their own filtering activities. Each
blog I read may represent the distillation of several hundred
information sources (of which there will be many duplications). To
follow even 10 blogs may be filtered outcome of 3000 different
information points.

There is also a clear difference between networks and groups. Stephen Downes explains it here and this video also demonstrates the difference.

Groups require unity, networks require diversity. Groups require
coherence, networks require autonomy. Groups require privacy or
segregation, networks require openness .

Most of us understand groups. Our PLC's are examples of groups. Our staffs may be examples of groups. Most of us do not understand networks very well and certainly aren't tapping into their power. There is potential and need for us to understand this and introduce our students to networks.

Is this concept too far "out there" for us to deal with?