Modern day apprentiships

I have just returned home from my funiture making lessons with Hans Koot in Renkum, here 6 of us learn the old hand skills of furniture making and a little about design. It struck me that what we are often trying to do with Knowldge Management is to transfer experience and maybe the old fashioned apprentiships may give us some clues to tried and tested techniques.

What is learned from these master craftsmen is, tips and tricks and confidence to anaylyse a problem and come to a logical, timely, efficient solutions. You learn this by watching them do such things and asking them questions.

Is this the way we can hand experiences down to newer scientists/engineers? - maybe but it will have to be a little less of the master subservient relationship of former times and not insult the intelligence nor egos of both parties.

Over the next few week I plan to explore my thoughts a little more in this area, especially if an expert's WebLog can leave knowledge footprints that can be followed- either synchronously or much later. (you see I'm already stealing your terminology Jannine!)

Hmm I'll also give it some thought as Hans helps me make my pearwood cabinet (I'm just aimimg to be a welsh version of James Krenov)