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6/12/2011
1
LEARNING ENVIRONMENTSLEARNING ENVIRONMENTS AND SOCIAL MEDIA: FRIENDS
OR OPPONENTS?
George Mason University E L i S i
Get the Formal in Informal
E‐Learning Symposium
Afua Gyasi and Shannon Wzientek
Agenda
• What’s our background?
• What terms do we need to know?
• What did we do?
• How should these tools be used in formal learning environments?
Get the Formal in Informal
• How can this approach be used?
• Where do we go from here?
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WHAT’S OUR BACKGROUND?
Get the Formal in Informal
Our Quest….
• Develop e‐learning
• Wanted to integrate new tools successfully
• Set out to learn more
• Results of different tools
Get the Formal in Informal
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Hypothesis
Social Media can be a beneficial learning tool if used
correctly.
Get the Formal in Informal
WHAT TERMS DO WE NEED TO KNOW?
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Social Networking Defined
Social networking is the process by which individuals form specific groups and keep increasing the groups inform specific groups and keep increasing the groups in size over time by sharing and interaction.
Get the Formal in Informal
Social Networking • Social networking happens everywhere:
• Schools
• Workplace
• Places of worship
• Online
• Social Networking online has become very l
Get the Formal in Informal
popular
Source: The Nielsen Company
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Social Media Defined
Social media is a term used for the tools, instruments, and platforms that we use to publish, The tools include blogs, wikis, podcasts, sites to share photos and bookmarksinstruments, and platforms that we use to publish, interact, and share content online.share photos, and bookmarks.
Get the Formal in Informal
Social Media Video
Get the Formal in Informal
Source: YouTube
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Social Networking vs. Social MediaSocial Media Social Networking
• Way to transmit or share • An act of engagement information
• A format or tool used to interact
M i ROI i diffi lt
• Interacting and communication with others
E i t ROI
Get the Formal in Informal
• Measuring ROI is difficult
• Multi/diverse users
• Easier to measure ROI based on traffic to site
• Usually users with a common interest
Learning Environments
Formal
• Planned
• Structured
• Learning setting
Informal
Get the Formal in Informal
• Unstructured
• Exploration
• Not necessarily in a learning setting
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Bringing it All Together What is best
for the learner?
What tools should be used?
What will have the
most impact?
Get the Formal in Informal
What environment
is best?
Where do we begin?
WHAT DID WE DO?
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Purpose of the Research
• How can learning be formalized in an informal ?manner?
• How can we ensure success?
• What should be avoided?
• What tools should be used…and when?
Get the Formal in Informal
• FRIENDS OR OPPONENTS?
The Research Project
Two Studies, Same Topics
Kemp and Backward Design Models
Two Formats, Same Survey
CD‐ROM and Social Network
Get the Formal in Informal
CD‐ROM and Social Network
Similar Audience Profiles
Half ISD Background, Same Technology Proficiency Levels
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Formal Learning Environment
• CD‐ROM
O ti l di ti– Operational directions
– E‐learning modules covering each topic
– Stated learning objectives
– Built‐in quizzing
Get the Formal in Informal
Informal Learning Environment
• Social GO
L i it– Learning community
– YouTube videos, online articles, and discussion forums
– Invitations sent to participants
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– Profiles created
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CD‐ROM Observations
• Completed quickly
• Participants comfortable with the format
– Relatively no questions asked for clarification
Get the Formal in Informal
Learning Community Observations
• Activity was initially slow, gradually gained
momentum
• Clarification needed by many
• Varying levels of involvement
• Lower activity levels from those without an
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ISD background
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Research Project FindingsSurvey
CD‐ROM S
y
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Learning Community
Survey
Research Project Findings cont’d
“I liked that it was a structured presentation in both cases… It
“Content was easy to read on the screen; not too much information
CD‐ROM Format
Inexperienced ISD Participants
Experienced ISD Participants
“I felt like it was super easy to use
pwould have been better to have applied the model to an actual
training scenario versus just being quizzed on the topics.”
“I feel like this learning activity incorporated several senses that are instrumental to learning…the more
was presented at a time. The instructions can be made clearer in
the future.”
Get the Formal in Informal
p yand follow along with. Very user
friendly.”
gsenses you can incorporate into
learning, the more it is retained ; I felt like this did a good job of that!”
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Research Project Findings cont’d
“I have had one very good experience with such a community, but in general
“I liked ways to reach out to other IDs about some of the challenges we face professionally I was more interested in
Learning Community Format
Inexperienced ISD Participants
Experienced ISD Participants
“I didn't like that there was no f i f ti I h d t t
y, gthey don't work very well unless they are actively facilitated so that participants are invested. Community building takes a lot of time and effort.”
“I had a very difficult time finding
professionally. I was more interested in knowing the challenges my colleagues faced than learning about a new theory in instructional design.”
Get the Formal in Informal
forcing function. I had no test or objectives to gauge my efforts. Motivation was very difficult.”
y gvideos and articles and knowing what I
should do next.”
Research Project Findingscont’d
Strongly Agree
CD‐ROM: Now Knowledgeable on the Models
Strongly Agree
Social GO: Now Knowledgeable on the Models
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Social GO: Gained Knowledge Beyond the Models
CD‐ROM: Gained Knowledge Beyond the Models
Get the Formal in Informal
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
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Research Project Findingscont’d
Agree
Strongly Agree
Social GO: Would Participate in Similar Activities with Learning Method Again
Agree
Strongly Agree
CD‐ROM: Would Participate in Similar Activities with Learning Method Again
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
CD‐ROM: User Friendly
Strongly Agree
Social GO: User Friendly
Get the Formal in Informal
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Takeaways
• CD‐ROM
– Clear directions and explanation needed
– Inexperienced like quizzing/testing
– Comfortable with straightforward format
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Takeaways cont’d
• Learning CommunityClear directions and explanation needed– Clear directions and explanation needed
– Facilitation plan and activity necessary
– Difficult to motivate and maintain engagement
– Interactivity among others is appreciated but difficult to foster
• Interaction preferred over formalized learning topics
Get the Formal in Informal
– Layout needs to be reviewed and thoroughly considered
– Inexperienced apprehensive
Learning environments and social media can be friends with terms and conditions!
Concluding Thoughts
friends…with terms and conditions!
Inform‐ing
Benefits
Collabor‐ation
Develop‐ment
NetworkProblem Solving
Cost
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HOWEVER the proper steps must be taken!
Shared Learning Instant
UpdatesTracking
Mass Distribu‐tion
Cost Savings
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HOW SHOULD THESE TOOLSHOW SHOULD THESE TOOLS BE USED IN FORMAL
LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS?
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Assess
•Conduct a needs assessment•Determine what they want•Understand the audience and what will suit their needs
• Identify what will drive usage and motivate
•Consider costs and resources
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Consider costs and resources• Identify how to infuse it into the culture
Cater
•Find the best tools for your purpose•Design so both the individual and the organization benefits•Don’t overgeneralize—variances exist based on skill sets, positions, and what they need to know•Integrate it into “part of the job” to overcome apprehension
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pp•Can’t be a stand‐alone•Pull the pieces that are right for your group•Integrate different medias
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Execute
•Pilot with a group of interested individuals
•Consider integrating what your pilot group develops
• Stagger your rollout•Try different approaches as
Get the Formal in Informal
needed—don’t become overly invested in one approach
HOW CAN THIS APPROACH BE USED?
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Gain Momentum
• Gauge current usage
• Start small and grow
• Expand your tools and usage once culture has adapted
T itt
Learning Community
Get the Formal in Informal
YouTube Video
Discussion Forum
Twittery
Examples
• Wikis for meeting support
• Google docs for SME development
• Wimba Classroom for project
• Skype for virtual training
• LinkedIn for pre‐course introductions
Get the Formal in Informal
• Twitter for training updates
• SharePoint for employee interactions
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Learning without Boundaries
• What is needed?D di ti– Dedication
– Focus
– Resources
• What will it do?– Enhance existing formal learning
Get the Formal in Informal
• What won’t it do?– Adequately serve as the sole
training mechanism
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
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Remember…
Establish the purpose and need
Cater to the environmentCater to the environment
Determine what will motivate usage
Provide directions
Identify the mechanism to get the activity started
Provide ongoing guidance
Get the Formal in Informal
Implement a tracking system
Utilize as a tool to support your formal learning—not the other way around
In Summary…
• Hypothesis: Social Media can be a beneficial l i t l if d tllearning tool if used correctly
• Result: Can be implemented in learning environments
• Action: AssessCaterExecute
• Conclusion: Social media and learning
Get the Formal in Informal
• Conclusion: Social media and learning environments can be friends!
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QUESTIONS?
Get the Formal in Informal
CONTACT INFORMATION
Afua Gyasi: [email protected] W ientek
Get the Formal in Informal
Shannon Wzientek: [email protected]