Applying Web 2.0 to Informal Learning

© 2009 Saba Software, Inc. All rights reserved

Applying Web 2.0 to Informal Learning

Mark Bucceri

Presented at ASTD / ISPI event: “Social Networking: Best Practices in training” on May 20, 2009


My Perspective …

Mark BucceriPrincipal Education SpecialistSaba

Email: [email protected]: @markbucceriLinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/markbucceri


Drivers

Performance Learning Collaboration Training


Connections

Content

Content


The Bottleneck …

DOC

Research

Repository

Learners

SMEs

Training Dept.


Uncorking the Bottleneck …

DOC

Research

RepositoryWorkforce, customers,

partners

Training Dept.

SMEs

Training Dept.


Models - Review

Social Networking

Blogs

DiscussionsComments

Ratings

Ideas

Blogs

Discussions

Chat

Formal Learning

Library

Social Networking

Formal Learnin

g

SN

B

DC

R

Embed Surround Community

Incremental steps

Visionary leap


My Evolution in the Classroom …

Past Present

Lecture content Prompt for / draw out content

Talk at them Listen; provide opportunities for group work and collaboration

Include all info Focus on important; smaller chunks

Create all content Provide structures and learners create content

Demonstrate Allow learners to perform and share

Sanitize to avoid errors Lead into complications then reflect

Lead with theory & BPs Lead with experiences – derive theory & BPs

Focus on topics Focus on job tasks & business

Coach all Encourage peer-to-peer support


EXERCISE: Networking Opportunity

• Discuss application of Web 2.0 to formal learning• Join the conversations of most interest to you – share

and record your ideas and strategies• Find people with similar interests using their tag clouds

• Embedding Social Media in Formal Learning (x2)

• Surrounding Formal Learning with Social Media (x2)

• Communities and Collaboration as Learning (x2)

• New Roles and Skills for Learning Professionals

• Challenges and Obstacles

• Open Topic

Topics stations include

#1 Embedding Social Media in Formal Learning

• Discuss how you could enhance formal learning by embedding social media– Use blogs as a learning journal / self-reflection– Use wikis as a shared workspace to create,

brainstorm– Connect learners for peer-to-peer work– Provide frameworks and allow learners to find/create

content– Use rating systems to find most relevant

topics/practices in class– Use Facebook type prompts to kindle discussion and

content creation

• Sketch possible course designs and activities using Social Media

#2 Surrounding Formal Learning with Social Media

Discuss how you could enhance formal learning by surrounding it with social media

Before class …• Could the instructor blog or tweet about

upcoming course content??• Can conversations start in a wiki before class• Can a community frame and prep for problems /

challenges addressed in class?• Can students contribute / feed instructors

questions and work challenges?Social

Networking

Blogs

Discussions

Comments

Ratings

#2 Surrounding Formal Learning with Social Media

Discuss how you could enhance formal learning by surrounding it with social media

After class …• Would you allow rating and publicizing the

rankings of your courses?• Can learners leave comments / attachments for

others?• Can they follow a SME / Instructor / peer on

Twitter?• Can they enter an existing community of veterans

or start a community to extend the classroom?• Can you show them how to create Podcasts or

Vodcasts and where to publish?

Social Networ

king

Blogs

Discussions

Comments

Ratings

#3 Communities and Collaboration as Learning

Discuss how you could leverage social media as learning• What courses could you replace with social media

and communities?• How can social media feed the creation and

validation of formal training?• How can formal training promote the creation of

social media?• What areas might social media have more of an

influence than formal learning (e.g., changing culture, …)

• How can social media capture corporate wisdom?• How might expanding the collaboration circle to

include customers and partners impact performance?

Ideas

Blogs

Discussions

Chat

Formal Learnin

g

Library

Social Networ

king

Formal Learning

SN

B

DC

R

#4 New Roles and Skills for Learning Professionals

• Discuss what new roles the training department might play in promoting and ‘formalizing’ informal learning

• Discuss what new skills a learning professional will need to survive and thrive in the social media boom

• What strengths make learning professionals best positioned to lead this change?

• What are some ways you can come up to speed with informal learning and social media?

• Sketch some possible informal learning strategies a training department might adopt

#5 Challenges and Obstacles

• Discuss the challenges informal learning and social media present to:– The training department– Learning professionals– The company as a whole– Individuals in the workforce

• What are the obstacles and how can you navigate around them?

• What standards, governance, business practices, organizational changes might be needed?

#6 Open Topic

• Discuss Whatever is on your mind regarding social media and social networking?


Debrief & Reflect

• What new insights did you get?• What new connections did you

make?• What trends and patterns did you

notice?• What can you leverage immediately?• How has your learning strategy

changed?• What action steps did you note?• How will you keep the conversation

alive


Thank You!

Mark BucceriPrincipal Education SpecialistSaba

Email: [email protected]: @markbucceriLinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/markbucceri