Dialogue: A systems approach to learning and communication

Ecologic Dialogue: A Systems Approach to Learning and Communication.

"The picture or image that this derivation (dialogue) suggests is of a stream of meaning flowing among and through us and between us. This will make possible a flow of meaning in the whole group, out of which will come some new understanding."

On Dialogue, by David Bohm

(1990, Ojai, CA.; David Bohm Seminars, p. 1.)

The Ecologic Dialogue model is based on the science of relationships and communication. Ecology is literally the study of relationships between organisms, in this case human and our relationship to our environment. There is a specific branch of ecology focused on humans and their physical and social environments called human ecology. It is that branch of ecology and the systems of logic that have combined with the practice of dialogue.

This ecologic dialogue model is what enables human learning and communication through recognition of the value of diversity.

There are four definitions of ecology that impact this model, they are:

1. The science of the relationships between organisms and their environments. Also called bionomics.

2. The relationship between organisms and their environment.

3. The branch of sociology that is concerned with studying the relationships between human groups and their physical and social environments. Also called human ecology.

4. The study of the detrimental effects of modern civilization on the environment, with a view toward prevention or reversal through conservation. Also called human ecology.

("Ecology." Def. 1-4. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. 4th ed. 2000, by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003)

There are two definitions of logic that impact this model, they are:

2. a. A system of reasoning b. A mode of reasoning c. The formal, guiding principles of a discipline, school, or science.

4. The relationship between elements and between an element and the whole in a set of objects, individuals, principles, or events:

("Logic." Def. 2 & 4. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. 4th ed. 2000, by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003)

What is dialogue?

"The word dialogue comes from two Greek roots, dia (meaning "through" or "with each other") and logos (meaning "the word"). (Senge, et. al., 1994, p. 353.) Dialogue is also defined as being "an exchange of ideas and opinions" (Merriam-Webster's, 1993, p. 319.)

For the purposes of group learning, dialogue is defined here as the development of community learning through the free and open exchange of ideas and opinions.

For this model the definition of dialogue we seek is a combination of the concepts of ecology and logic along with the root meaning and definition but based on the ideals and hopes expressed by Bohm.