Uncover what Learning Pool's online enthusiast Paul Webster thinks about social media's role in learning. From LinkedIn to Twitter to much more, Paul shares his gems on the future.

1. Social Media and Learning

2. Paul Webster
Community Connector
Learning Pool
@watfordgap

3. What we are going to cover ...
– How people learn on line
– Which social media websites
are used for learning
– Examples on Twitter,
Facebook and other spaces
– On line learning platforms
– What's next?

5. Social media is online media that starts
conversations, encourages people to pass it on
to others, and finds ways to travel on its own.
Idealware - http://www.idealware.com

6. Social Media – Digital Media ….
Web 2.0
=Social Media
=New Media
=Social Networking
. . media rich, interactive, content based on preferences, open for
sharing and where conversations & learning encouraged.

7. No longer something to be ignored.
Now is always the right time, tomorrow isn't
Most sites free to use. But consider time.
- 96% of internet users aged 18-34 are on one of more social networks
- Use of social networks is 64% of all the time spent on the internet in UK
- 41 million people in UK on Facebook – some will 'Like' your project work
- 10 million on Twitter – some may Tweet colleagues about you services
- as YouTube is 2nd most popular search engine, a presence adds an extra
dimension to the project you're supporting or campaign you're running
- with bite-sized blog readership increasing – that captivating story about
the difference you have made may inspire others to help
- oh, then there is Pinterest, Linkedin, Google+, Flickr …..
Why use social media?

8. Increases the speed of communication.
Widens message reach as friends tell friends.
Deepens two-way commitment and increases belonging.
Generates awareness to stay ahead of developments.
Joins communities of interest as you tell your story.
Reduces administration, puts the visitor in control.
Advantages of social media?

9. Over to You
Which of these Social Media websites does your
organisation currently use?

10. Control. People are talking about you. Accept
loss of control and join in.
What to say. Clear message for audience. Match to
right social media tool.
Time. It will take time to understand each social network and to
build a meaningful following there.
Numbers. It's not about these. Small engaged network better
than thousands who never read or listen.
Guidelines. Trust staff to use it, but adhere to organisational
guidelines.
Interest. Don't lose this. Conversations flow & say thank you.
How. Workplace champions & involve all levels in social media.
What to be aware of

12. Digital Online Learning
• Internet based communication
• Being connected to training that is open 24/7
• Listening, learning, sharing conversation, not broadcast
• Building relationships / opportunities for collaboration
• Multiple media sources converge from all social networks
• Content generated in peer network community by learners,
for learners based on experience rather than theory
• Many sites are financially cost free – although time is a cost
• 360° circle of social media, prior to a course, during & after
Digital is the place where people communicate, seek, read,
share, buy, network and learn. Can't ignore it any more
Are you leading by example in your organisation?

13. Over to You
Where do you go if you want to learn on line?

14. Do you learn online?
• What are your favourite ways of learning to
support your work (on or offline)?
• Survey – March 2012

15. Survey about use of social media / digital learning
• Per week 47% of people spent 1 to 2 hours learning online
40.9% of VCS employees spent time out of work hours on their own
professional development (Skills Third Sector Sept 2012)

16. Filtering Skills
• Learning on line – needs a new skill-set
• Discerning the 'good' from the 'googled'
16 million people lack digital skills to be effective online
(Go-On - Oct 2012)
• Originated by trusted sector sources
• Tested by grass-roots practitioners
• Collaboration to build and refine
“Double check and cross-refer to check accuracy.”

19. Great for sharing and learning from a network of Peers or to inform local news
See the Content of the Tweet not the Tweeter & follow Words not People
'Flagging not Bragging' – it's a
conversation, not a soapbox
Use for research & learning
Ask questions
Signpost to resources
Start conversations
# (Hashtag), RT (Retweet)
Dive in, follow & talk!
@learningpool

20. Link to our Twitter Guide
http://www.learningpool.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2011/10/LP-
Twitter-Guide-2011.pdf
For Learning
People are best sources of
learning on Twitter.
Follow those who are
interesting and learn from
their networks, e.g.
@andrewjacobsLD,
@donaldclark,
@marcoable,
@helreynolds,
@emasie
@mmarymckenna

21. Conversations
in :
Twitterfall
Tweetchat
Events often expensive & time consuming to attend, but great for learning
& sharing. Participate online during event or catch-up on tweets, speaker
talks, video interviews and event pictures. Mange in :Hootsuite & Tweetdeck
Following online chat or an topic #hashtag
#chat2lrn
4pm Thur
#nptalk
8pm Wed
#lgovsm
8.30pm Tue
#alw13
#teamlovely
#localgovcamp etc.

22. Profiles, Pages and Groups, its
where many people search first –
so important to be there
A Group for invited network of
learners, can include file sharing
An open Page for people to Like &
see updates about your topic
Facebook 'Insights' for statistics
Use as a signpost to other social
media & your main website
Conversations with the community
But check Privacy settings and
frequent changes
Walsall Council used this well during the winter
to advise on gritting routes and school closures

23. Link to our Facebook Guide
http://www.learningpool.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2010/12/Guide-to-Face
For Learning
- Canadian provider of
Respite Care training
- group discussions on
Facebook
- access their e-learning
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Respite-Learning-Portal/287257537995727

24. Also Facebook Groups
Google+ Circles & Communities
Useful to connect learners
before an e-learning course
Learn in Groups from others
doing similar tasks and roles
Our Learning Pool Community
has over 12,000 members
Linkedin company page growing

25. Alternatives:
Google Sites, SocialGo,
Facebook, Wackwall
Other web Spaces
communities
building their own
spaces for
- learning
- sharing
- discussions

26. See presentations,
talks and learn
from others on
Slideshare or Prezi
Learn from and share lesson plans, guides & learning resources
on Issuu & Scribd
http://www.slideshare.net/learning_pool

27. Audioboo
Another way to let people know
your news & interviews
Less bandwidth than video
Embed in website
Comments make conversations
Audioboo – 5 min recordings
Instant reporting when editing not a
concern
‘Audacity’ is free software for
recording and converting to MP3 to
load to the web -
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
http://audioboo.fm/Bletchleypark

28. YouTube is the 2nd most
popular search method
Most watched video has over
1.6 Billion views gained in
less than 12 months
Video based instructional sites
From TEDx, to Commoncraft & Grovo, Modern Lessons or YouTube.
Useful if used after an e-learning course to reinforce learning

29. Blogs -
Wordpress /
Blogger
Great to learn from others
Not just a diary or rant
Multiple users & guest bloggers
Can be a website as learning
community develops
Don't worry it's not finished –
blogs build as conversations
See also kickingassets.co.uk

30. Other ways to Learn...
• SurveyMonkey
• Setting up Google Alerts & Twilerts
• Following Blog RSS feeds & Hashtags
• Aggregating sites – Storify & Topsy
• Share Screen – Skype, Google+ Hangout & join.me
• Screencasting tools – ScreenR & Jing
… always learning!

31. Things to remember about
using social media
• Have a plan, know what you want to say, who your
audience are & what is the correct medium to use
• It's live as soon as you say it – be prepared
• What you say could potentially be around for ever – and
is searchable
• Is your social media and your learning website viewable
on a mobile device? Fastest growing area of technology
is 'hand held devices' which encourage social learning
• Don't start if you can't finish – there's too many 'come
and see our Autumn 2009 training programme' websites!

32. Any Questions So Far?

34. Build your own learning jigsaw
Your 'go to' Personal Learning Network of
websites, Twitter contacts, blogs and on-line
learning that you trust & respect.
Digital learning is peer supported social activity
Space to
- question
- challenge
- collaborate
Feedback on
- content
- media
- learning
Everyone's network will be different – yours will evolve too
socialsourcecommons.org – build personal 'toolboxes'

35. Use of e-learning

36. E-learning - anytime, anyplace
Technology shift massive since 2001, has learning delivery kept up?
We do a bit, we blend, but no outright shift that digital has
enabled. Peer learning, bite-sized chunks, mobile devices.
Default to an asynchronous learning style as that's how we learn in the
world. As and when we need to. Not when a course is run.
Rapid development of learning & efficient deployment to wide
audience. Changes (e.g. legislation) can be in place immediately.
Reduces cost per learner with savings on time (travel), cost (trainer)
and productivity (not out of office). See the ROI calculator
Reduce your carbon footprint – online delivery saves paper
Unlimited delivery capacity and consistency of delivery
Flexibility of time & place and reaching remote workers

37. Online learning
• For public, voluntary & social housing sectors
• For employees, councilors, governors & volunteers
• Content, authoring tools and LMS platform
• Over 500 shared e-learning modules
• Affordable systems with no set-up fees
• Learning on demand - ready when you are
• A collaborative community of over 12,000

39. Future Digital Learning
• Use social media – its natural for many learners.
Encourage Twitter research, Record Podcasts, have
Facebook discussions.
• Don't ignore hand-held devices – smartphones & tablets,
used to reinforce learning (Encore), not a gimmick.
• Own your learning, it's a personal portfolio of
transferable Open Badges recognising our formal
and informal skills
• Just let people learn. Whenever & however, but
have a system to capture it and informal chats to
acknowledge it or witness it played out

40. Future Digital Learning
• Recognise staff have Talent and are not just learners. Use a
system (e.g. Totara) to capture informal learning and build
Knowledgebank ... from staff, your most precious asset
• Spaced Practice. (Learning Pool Encore) reinforces
knowledge retention. After a course learning continues
via our App, by SMS, Podcasts & Video at regular
intervals when the learner is back at work.
• A MOOC – open up your courses for free and share
to a much wider audience. Link the on line element
to a formal accreditation or blend with tutor time.

41. Future Digital Learning
• Augmented Reality software and hardware devices such
as Google Glass within 5 2 years will enable us to gather
information and learn by looking at objects or situations.
• The Internet of Things are objects learning from their
surroundings. AI - A refrigerator that automatically
orders food, Driverless Cars 'learning' from sensors.
• These may seem like the stuff of science fiction stories
& not something that will fit into the way we work,
but the way we learn is fundamentally changing.
• Make learning something that is Social & Fun!
Maybe we'll see a shift in L&D teams from being
providers to be Digital Learning Encouragers

42. Over to You
Which approaches to learning could be part
of your plans over the next 12 months?

43. Social Media in Learning
• Filtering to find relevant knowledge
• Bite sized following tags and trends
• Self directed in a mix of media
• Your Personal Learning Network
The Future
• Learning will be everywhere
• Systems needed to capture and refine it
Summary

45. Questions?
Resources.
http://www.learningpool.com - 7 Day Trial
http://www.learningpool.com/elearning-resources/
http://www.learningpool.com/conversations
“There's a world of information out there.
Don't wait for someone to "train" you, and get
out there and find the information.”

46. Visit
www.learningpool.com
or follow on Twitter
@learningpool
or contact me
Paul Webster
paulw@learningpool.com
020 7101 9383 or
@watfordgap