The Magic Of Learning In Public (and what it really is)

Learning in public has something to teach us all

“Become a documentarian of what you do.” Austin Kleon, of Show Your Work.

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I recently learned that in tech, there's a term and a movement called Shift-left.

Shifting left means doing an activity earlier in the process - like testing something before it’s really ready. It comes from the idea of moving left on a project timeline.¹ The premise in field of tech development is that the earlier a bug is found, the cheaper it is to fix and the more time you have test.

Shifting left is clearly not just a useful concept for technology.

Learning in public is shift-left thinking. Learning in public means sharing an idea, a project, a process before it is ‘complete.’ It could be online, in a work setting, school, or simply out loud to someone.

The more I live, the more I am sure that we need to find ways to shift left.

It is seriously where the magic happens.

The Big Idea

I am convinced that learning in public is the only way to progress and understand the power of the creative collective, to be innovative and current, and to ignite sparks.²Aside from the creativity benefits, to always be learning is also an economic imperative.

But we are afraid to be seen as an amateur- which happens when you are always learning new things. In author Austin Kleon's New York Times bestseller Show Your Work! he proclaims,

"We’re all terrified of being revealed as amateurs, but in fact, today it is the amateur - the enthusiast who pursues her work in the spirit of love, regardless of the potential for fame, money or career - who often has the advantage over the professional.”

Amateurs are the ones who are, by definition, putting new ideas into the world. They are always learning. They are reimagining schools, reshaping technology, remaking the world as they go. Amateurs are not afraid to make mistakes or look ridiculous in public (*well, maybe a little, but they/we do it anyway.)

Amateurs are public learners, and what we need to be.

You have to admit, the “professionals” are struggling. Look across fields- from education to business, reinvention and re-perspectiving are winning.

We do so much of our learning behind the scenes - even in schools. Why? What are we afraid of? Learning in public pushes it to the stage. Think of the art class that ends in critique. Why is this not a common practice? There, others can celebrate, push learning forward, offer ideas, be part of creation, and understand it better.

Learning in public is where the magic happens. It expands:

• Collective creativity. By sharing ideas, burstiness happens. One idea bounces off another. The co-ownership is what brings things to life. More here:

We Need Ecosystems, not Egosystems

• Connection. Learning in public grows community. I have connected with a co-founder, partners, mentors, participants and supporters. More here:

People Based Learning: A New P in PBL

• Challenge thinking. When you engage those who care enough to constructively challenge you, you get stronger.

Where in schools, at work and in life are we shifting left to let in the air and light? Where are we

• Sharing ideas before they are polished so others can ideate?

• Offering stories of projects that did not go as planned, as learning?

• Opening channels for progress over product?

That expression about building the plane while flying it, with passengers inside - that is learning in public.

While it may feel uncomfortable at first, sharing work in progress has been the best way for me to learn. Here are some ideas gathered over time that have helped me put learning out there.