The University as a Learning Organization

Argyris defines a learning organization as one which acquires information or new practices, any kind of new expertise (Argyris 1996, p.3). According to Peters and Waterman, an organization that is too focused on a rational mode of operation does not instruct future leaders in the "rock bottom importance of making the average Joe a hero and a consistent winner" (Starkey 1996, p.32). Academic life can sometimes be about preventing failure rather than becoming a winner and a hero. One learns how to negotiate through the university system and survive, but there are tremendous hurdles and resulting insecurities to surmount in order to come out the other side with a degree. It is more a system of eliminating those who cannot figure out the puzzle of the academic process than a system of creating heroes and winners. My friends and I are often stressed, going through the process.

Some would not agree that the university is a business, and that business theories of learning or

. . .
ssary to achieve tenure, an exalted state of security that is somewhat of a mystery to this particular student. It seems that tenure means that one can relax and do the minimal work for the duration of the university career. Not to criticize the elderly, but some tenured professors are the complete opposite of that learning type of individual who constantly expands and grows as a person and a professional. It seems that one has to take the risk of rearranging the synapses in order to qualify as a learner, to engage in something dramatically different, not steadfastly maintain the status quo of the personhood or the employing organization. Admittedly, professors do take occasional sabbaticals, a benefit that is certainly positive for the mental health, but it would be beneficial to the school if the free time were to be spent doing radically different things·studying a foreign language, doing anthropological studies in a foreign country, teaching women in India to form profitable businesses. The engagement would be invigorating to the professors and in turn to their students upon resuming teaching. The pace of living today requires that people understand how to live within changing circumstances. The number of books and arti
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
Peters Waterman, Australia Kenyon, According Kanter's, Middle East, According McLagan's, War II, According Kenyon, Alice Wonderland, According Emiliani, John Cage, learning organization, starkey 1996, kenyon nd, learning organizations, mclagan 2003, university professors, type learning, type learning organization, loop learning, regarding learning organizations, peters waterman, students learn, kenyon nd p4, qualify learning organization, emery 1979 p1,
Approximate Word count = 3044
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page)

More Essays on The University as a Learning Organization