The discussion started with a question, that was never really answered. In fact, as suspected this whole topic is pretty airy fairy because in order to measure social learning, you have to first define social learning. Since no one in the group had a concise definition of social learning, the metrics can't really be identified, hence there was no real answer...yet.
What does social learning look like? How do we measure it? What are the metrics? All great questions which were set out to be answered, but it was definitely overly optimistic.
The usual objections to social learning came through in general audience responses, which are the same as those addressed in the last session I attended in the Social Learning Camp. Some people just concerned with results, not the learners experience.
Silvers wrapped up by saying that we need to 'give social learning some time to breathe - lets figure out what it is before we start to apply measures to it'. Then the discussion turned to Facebook and how was it that 'that kid' could develop such an amazing LMS (essentially) that handles millions of data transactions, while so many vendors out there with years of experience that are handling way less data transactions, are failing. It's a good point. There was a show of hands for anyone that knew of an LMS provider that actually wanted to make learning fun, and easy and exciting for the learner, like Facebook is for users. Sadly, not a hand went up (I guess they haven't seen our customer feedback ;o)).
This topic sure pulled in the DevLearn09 crowd - I think it was Silvers that made the comment that he'd never seen so many people that actually wanted to talk about SCORM.
@Schnicker
A couple of quick thoughts came to mind as I read this post. While the comment about how "a kid" could develop Facebook, but vendors can't produce a quality LMS is trivial, keep in mind that guys like Mark Zuckerberg are one in a million. It's not like Facebook was the first social networking platform that was ever developed. For reasons I won't get into, it just turns out that his application has been the most successful. So as an industry, we're still waiting for the Facebook type of success in an LMS.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I have fashioned my own definition of what social learning is to me. At my organization we make a distinction between innovation and creativity. Where creativity is coming up with ideas, and much needed, while innovation is deriving the value out of those ideas.
Similarly, social networking is building your network of people, again much needed. Social learning is deriving the value out of that network and learning from it. Like innovation without creativity and learning without a network, they don't exist in isolation.
I also add that social media are the tools that enable social networking and social learning to happen.
Thanks for your comments, Steve.
ReplyDeleteI agree - nothing exists in isolation and recognizing that distinction (and in turn the connection) between something like creativity and innovation is where organizations like yours will have a distinct advantage.
In the same way there aren't enough organizations harnessing the power of the people resources that exist right under their own roof. Introducing social learning tools to a corporate culture is like laying the foundations for conversations that will provide the kind of insight that companies can't buy. That in turn helps to form an invaluable knowledge base and encourages a networked community based around information sharing.
Anything that 'connects the dots' and steers clear of the silo mentality that has prevailed in many companies to date, is a great thing in my book.
Cheers,
Nicole