Finding Learning in Unexpected Places

 
Exploring the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey, alongside the "Honoring Harmony" sculpture. 

This week's readings made me think about how much learning happens through the people and experiences around us. When I first think of a network, I usually picture social media, online communities, or the professional networks we build through school and work. However, the concept of networked knowledge activities reminded me that networks can exist anywhere people come together to share ideas, experiences, and perspectives.

Over the past few weeks, I have been traveling for family events and spending time with relatives I do not get to see often. During a recent visit to the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey, I found myself learning through conversations, observations, and shared experiences. While this learning looked different from the online networks discussed in the readings, it still reflected the idea that knowledge is often built through connections with others. Experiences like these remind me that learning is not limited to classrooms, textbooks, or technology. Sometimes the most meaningful lessons come from the communities and relationships that surround us.

Reference

Dennen et al. (2020). Using the Networked Knowledge Activities Framework to Examine Learning on Social Networking Sites.