Cybernetics, e-learning and the education system

This paper is based on the author’s inaugural lecture, delivered on 22 May 2003. The paper is dedicated to the memory of two recently deceased thinkers: Ivan Illich and Stafford Beer. The paper first gives an overview of the contribution they made to illuminating the nature of institutions and their organizational structure, in particular, the education system. Learning technologies challenge accepted models of educational organization. Developments since the 1970s are examined, identifying how the three strands of learning content development, computer mediated communication and learning management have become integrated in Learning Management Systems (LMS) made possible by the World Wide Web. It is argued that mainstream LMS offer restricted pedagogic opportunities if they are adapted to existing organizational forms, instead of being used relax organizational constraints. Beer’s work provides us with tools for the redesign of educational systems to make most benefit from new technologies, guided by Illich’s critique of formal education.