In this post, we will advance from our previous discussions to the third of the 5Cs – Collaboration.
Collaboration: Different captions, similar meaning
Just as the term, ‘collaboration’ suggests different people, organizations or places coming together to create meaning, these authors (Benkler, 2006; Jenkins, 2008; Tapscott & Williams, 2008) each had their own caption that defined the concept of collaboration.
In Benkler (2006), it is called “coordinate effects“; in Jenkins (2008), it is “collective intelligence“; and in Tapscott and Williams (2008), it is “peer production“. Each of these captions though different, have the same meaning. That is, the coming together of individuals from different parts of the globe to actively shape their world, through interactions with technology.
Examples of such collaboration are the peer review of scholarly articles, done by different individuals, selected from various locations and specializations, and “our favourite” Wikipedia, wherein contributions are made by individuals from every part of the world.
People are collaborating, while some others are shutting down, running away or preventing others from taking part in this new culture. Recognize these famous sayings, “no man is an island” or “united we stand, divided we fall“; these ideologies explain the concept of convergence or in this instance, collaboration. When people harp on networking, it seems as if that word is being overemphasized, but the truth is that humans are created to collectively impact their world.
So, switching off your TV set or your mobile phone, or turning off your data (as we call it in Nigeria) or Wi-Fi (for Yankees) and shutting down your computer will not solve anything. It is much better and profitable to utilize the media to better your world – relationships, home, school, church, community, society and as many that resonate with you. No one knows everything apart from God; so, why not collaborate with others.
“Two good heads are better than one,” you know, and “if companies can go global, individuals too can” (Tapscott & Williams, 2008).
Ngozi Adighibe
Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of
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