The teacher enters the class room. The group is ready and willing to learn. The teacher looks around smiles at everyone and greets them.

Then he asks them, “Friends, who am I?’ He assures them that it is not a question born out of an existential identity crisis.

The group throws up numerous options;

Teacher, Guru, Lecturer, Trainer, Facilitator, Coach, Mentor….

He patiently allows them to exhaust the list while firmly refusing to accept any of these words as describing his role fully. Finally, they give up and ask him, “Go on…tell us…who are you?’

He smiles at them again and says, “I am your co-student!”

They are surprised. A Co-student? Then, who will teach them?

He walks around and asks another question. “Well then, who are you all?”

This time, they wait for an answer. For they sense that to describe themselves as students is somehow not apt.

He announces, “You are all co-faculty!” The group starts applauding. They’ve understood now what he is trying to tell them. He has broken the barrier. There is no teacher. No taught. They need to actively engage in the learning process. Participate through questions and sharing of opinions and thoughts.

Learning can happen at any time! Any casual comment can spark a connection for any one of them and help them to learn.

The constant churning of thoughts and opinions is the essence of the knowledge transfer and acquisition process. Anything else is mechanical.