Why Write? 3 Things to Understand About Curation in Learning

Why Write? 3 Things to Understand About Curation in Learning

Writing is a powerful tool that not only helps us express our thoughts and ideas but also allows us to understand them better. When we write about something, we are forced to examine our own knowledge and fill in the gaps. As Paul Graham said, "A good writer will almost always discover new things in the process of writing." Writing is not just a means of communication; it is a way to learn and think.

Similarly, curation is another important process that helps us make sense of the vast amount of information available to us. Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, envisioned the internet as a tool that would allow anyone to access, disseminate, and organize documents. Digital curation is the first step in taking control of the overwhelming amount of digital content and organizing it into meaningful collections.

But why is curation necessary in the first place? Clay Shirky, in his book "Here Comes Everybody," pointed out that the problem is not information overload but filter failure. With so much information available, individuals struggle to pay attention to everything and end up not paying attention to anything at all. This is where curation comes in.

There are two types of overload that individuals face when it comes to information: situational overload and ambient overload. Situational overload is like finding a needle in a haystack. You know the information you need is there, but it's buried among a sea of other information. Ambient overload, on the other hand, is having a haystack-sized pile of needles that you want to engage with. As filters get smarter, they provide us with more of what we want, which can be overwhelming.

To make sense of this overload, digital curation acts as an intermediary between search engines and information consumers. It helps individuals find relevant and useful content by curating and organizing it in a way that is easily accessible. Just like when you're looking for a satisfying meal, you first look for the type of restaurant and quality of food you want, digital curation helps learners find the learning content they need, supporting them just in time or just in case.

So, how can we leverage writing and curation to enhance our learning and understanding? Here are three actionable tips:

1. Write regularly: Make writing a habit, even if it's just for yourself. By writing regularly, you not only improve your writing skills but also gain a deeper understanding of the topics you're exploring. It forces you to think critically, organize your thoughts, and fill in any gaps in your knowledge.

2. Practice selective curation: Instead of trying to consume every piece of information that comes your way, practice selective curation. Identify the sources and topics that are most relevant to your learning goals and curate those. This way, you can focus on quality over quantity and avoid the overwhelming feeling of information overload.

3. Engage in collaborative curation: Curation doesn't have to be a solitary activity. Engage with others who share similar interests and collaborate on curating content. By sharing and discussing curated resources, you can gain new insights and perspectives, expanding your understanding even further.

In conclusion, writing and curation are powerful tools that can enhance our learning and understanding. Writing helps us clarify our thoughts and learn about the topics we're exploring, while curation allows us to navigate the overwhelming amount of information available to us. By incorporating these practices into our learning journey, we can deepen our knowledge and solve complex problems with deep fluency.