Social media is embraced by all generations—and is becoming imperative to keeping employees informed and engaged. While mobile devices and smartphones like iphones and Droids have enabled mobile learning, social media is becoming more and more a way to communicate informally to get questions answered, and find out what’s happening around you at any time…and to pass it along to colleagues, friends, and business partners. When used correctly, social media can be a great research tool, a way to communicate with clients and colleagues, and share knowledge rapidly. As workplaces become more lean, and employee turnover in many organizations is at an all-time high, social media helps us create learning communities in which knowledge is captured and shared—no longer leaving with the employee. Additionally, social media gives employees the opportunity to showcase their talent, mentor others, and ask for feedback from colleagues on a just-in-time basis. Allowing employees the freedom to shape their own learning using a selection of social media tools that they are already familiar with empowers them to design their own experience in their community, customizing their learning to meet their individual needs. Social media tools like Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and Pinterest can also be used by workplace learning professionals in conducting training as well. This session will provide an overview on how to get started using these tools, but also how to effectively use to communicate with clients, colleagues, and training participants. Adding social media to a learning event can make it more dynamic and engaging. Why should we embrace social media? • There are more than 500 million accounts on Twitter, and Twitter gets 400 million Tweets sent each day. Are you missing out on all of the buzz? • Google+ is currently the second-largest social media network, only behind Facebook in users. • Pinterest hit 10 million unique visitors faster than any other independent site in history • 200 million LinkedIn users participate in more than 1.5 million groups; 81% belong to at least one group. The intended audience is someone who wants to learn more about social media and is open to adapting to the latest trends in technology. Dr. Price will be discussing how to harness the power of social media to engage learning participants, to spread awareness of your brand, attract potential clients, stay on top of industry news and trends, and share knowledge with your clients and colleagues. If you have a laptop, smart phone, or tablet, please bring it to the session to maximize on the session content. The session will include discussion of industry best practices, demonstration of social media tools and techniques, and hands-on activities to allow participants to experience how social media engages learners and employees.