Using Social Media Tools to
Improve Workplace Learning
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Janet Clarey, Analyst & Sr. Researcher
Brandon Hall Research

We are communicating
differently

We are communicating through
more channels and using more
communication technology tools.
Communic
Communic
Communication
ation
ation

We are interacting and Interaction and
collaborating differently.
collaboration

We are interacting and
collaborating through
more channels and using Interaction and
collaboration
more collaboration
technology tools.

We are accessing and
processing information
differently

We create, share, remix, tag, connect, link,
network.
We control it.
Cont
rol

M
e
d
i
a

Google’s worldwide traffic of the
Social Media
term “social media”

What does this
mean for
learning?
Le
arn
ing

Learning is an integral and inseparable aspect
of social practice.
– Lave & Wenger, 1991
Lear
ning

We are moving toward a knowledge-era model
of education with large-scale social networks
involving complex communities and individual
identity construction.
–Wenger, 2004
Complex

It is within complex online communities and
networks where social construction of
understanding occurs.
–Huberman, Romero, & Fang, 2008
S
o
c
i
a
l

It’s my first day at
my new job. I hope I
like it here.
Pe
opl
e

T
r
a
d
i
t
i
o
n
a
l

Same old,
same old
Predictable

What day is Computer
Who do I pay day?
P
usage?
r
o
c
work with? e
s
s
Where do I Where do
sit? I park?
How do I
answer the
phone? Who do I need to
know in other
departments?
What will I be
working on Who are the
first? movers and
shakers?

N
e
t
w
o
r
k

Non-traditional, unpredictable

New blend
Conversations get smaller, more
e-learning…plus…on-the-job
Learning gets fragmented
training…plus social
networks…
Courses get
shorter

Differentiators of
“Web 2.0 / Social Media”
1. No formal teaching structure
2. Situated
3. Not dependent on time or
place
4. No grades / ratings /
certifications
5. Relies on peer-to-peer
interaction
6. Relies on interaction with
Internet media
7. Not stored in a central
repository
8. Folksonomy approach to
tagging vs. standardization
9. Unorganized and
unmanaged

9.5 strategies…
because you’re SOL without a
strategy.

1.) Blended Learning

2.) Informal Learning

3.) Collaborative Learning
Environment

4.) Knowledge Management

5.) As part of a learning plan

6.) Community

7.) Leadership development

8.) Professional development

9.) To
develop and
retain
talent

9.5)
NetGen

Now what?

Further discussion…
janet@brandon-hall.com
http://twitter.com/jclarey
http://brandon-hall.com/janetclarey
Kicks ass
Thanks!

Webinar participants collaborative slide – what makes ILT bad

Webinar participants collaborative slide – what makes an ideal online
community?