Several consumer-based web technologies have recently made a
big splash in the learning and development field. These technologies were
originally designed for social networking and interaction but have now grown into
tools used to create small learning events and to provide information on an as
needed basis. Let’s take a look at a couple of the tools and see how they are
being used.
Twitter
This Web 2.0 application has caught on like wild fire across
the web. In its simplistic form, it is a method of instantly broadcasting a 140
character message to anyone who cares to follow you on Twitter (AKA
Micro-blogging). A Twitter message can be sent from any mobile device or from a
computer. Twitter is being used by everyone from baseball players to CNN to Op
rah to Ashton
Kutcher but what can it do for learning professionals. First two advantages it
has over email is that it is short (140 characters) and that it is instant (if
the other person is there they can respond). Here are some ideas of how it can
be used in the field of learning:
- Sending
reminders to learners
- Asking
a question across an organization or learning community (one questions can lead
to many answers or many more questions).
- Broadcasting
of thoughts and ideas by key opinion leaders.
- Virtual
mentoring
- Reaching
across organizational silos
- Sending
yourself reminders
- Posting
links to key information or articles
Forums
Ah, the use of online Forums, once a staple of communities
of practice these “old school” web tools are still valuable. A Forum is simply
a threaded discussion in which people can post ideas, comments and links to
valuable information. They existed before blogs and wikis (see /blog/authors/karl-kapp/understanding-new-learning-technologies.aspx).
Forums are a great way for a community of practice to communicate with one
another through a discussion that runs much like an email thread.
Are
you considering adopting Social Media Tools into your organization? Here
is a list of some considerations.
http://karlkapp.blogspot.com/2008/12/adopting-social-media-in-your.html
Next
posting will discuss Facebook and YouTube.
Karl is the author of the
book Gadgets,
Games and Gizmos for Learning.
