Give people a way to see the system together.

A learning session can connect ecological purpose, digital capability, and the people who need to understand the relationship.

The subject might be a dynamic model, a lifecycle, an information process, or the possibilities opened by communication and interactive tools. The session should have a clear center in the participants' work or interest.

Howard Pearlmutter's first international speaking tour in 1981 was titled “Learning Tools: Learning about Tools, Tools for Learning, Tools that can Learn.” The three perspectives still offer useful ways into a changing technological environment.

People can learn how a tool works. A tool can let them explore a subject. Adaptable software can open another level of possibility. The learning experience can help distinguish those contributions and put them to use.

Howard's background includes ecological simulation, graphics, commercial software, environmental information, advanced technical teaching, and creative gatherings. He can connect a broad idea with a working example and a practical representation.

A session can be designed to leave participants with a clearer map of relationships, a better interpretation of an existing model, or an idea for an informative experiment. Different audiences need different levels of technical depth and participation.

Read NASA, EPCOT, creative gatherings, and the Brower occasion for parts of that range.

If there is an artifact the group needs to inspect, visual inquiry can help shape it. If you want to explore a session, begin with the people and the subject.

The experience earns its place when participants leave with more ability to recognize, explore, and explain the system they care about.