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Posted on:Dec 022009

Leveraging Web Technologies for Learning (Part II)

By Karl Kapp

This entry continues the discussion of how organizations can use consumer-based Web 2.0 tools to enhance organizational learning.

Facebook

If you want to find out what friends and others are doing, just check the social networking site of Facebook. But did you know that Facebook is also a great method of communicating and keeping up-to-date with co-workers. Additionally, a number of faculty at universities have launched Facebook courses which they use to deliver course materials and links to course materials.

Also, the large pharmaceutical firm, Pfizer has launched a Facebook-type application called Pfacebook. Read about Pfizer’s work with Web 2.0 http://karlkapp.blogspot.com/2008/11/pharmaceutical-leveraging-web-20-in-big.html

YouTube

Want to see a quick, snippet of information, then check out YouTube. While YouTube is most famous for crazy or wacky videos, there are a lot of high quality videos on the site that are very educational. The idea of short, quick, instructional videos is very popular. Search for the words “Lean Manufacturing” in YouTube and you will get a number of high quality videos on the topic. For an even more educational focus, check out www.teachertube.com  The site has thousands of educational videos aimed at elementary to College students and beyond.  Think about the educational implications of being able to quickly post a short video to explain a procedure or process within your organization. The concept can be very beneficial for organizational learning.

While these are quick and fast ways of communicating and sending information, not everyone is pleased with these tools for learning. Check out this post which compares the cognitive value of Facebook with Twitter and YouTube. http://karlkapp.blogspot.com/2009/10/facebook-good-for-your-memory-twitter.html

If you think that social media is not right for your organization, you might want to reconsider. Check out http://karlkapp.blogspot.com/2008/09/social-networking-Karl Kapp booknot-corporate-enough.html for some reasons why it may be appropriate for your organization. 

Karl is the author of the book Gadgets, Games and Gizmos for Learning.

Posted in: Technologies

About the Author

Karl Kapp

Karl M. Kapp, Ed.D., professor of instructional technology, is a scholar, author, speaker and expert on the convergence of learning, technology and business. His background teaching e-learning classes, knowledge of adult learning theory and experience training CEOs and front line staff provides him with a unique perspective on organizational learning. Karl teaches graduate-level courses on the topics of virtual learning worlds, e-learning applications and the business of e-learning at Bloomsburg University and consults with Fortune 500 organizations on implementing virtual learning worlds and learning technologies. He is author of four books including, Gadgets, Games and Gizmos for Learning: Tools for Transferring Know-How from the Boomers to the Gamers which describes learning methods to transfer knowledge from the boomer generation to the upcoming gamers using gadgets, games and gizmos. The book's web site is www.gadgetsgamesandgizmos.com. Recently, he co-authored a book with Tony O'Driscoll titled Learning in 3D: A New Dimension to Enterprise Learning and Collaboration which will be released in January 2010. His web site is www.karlkapp.com.

1 Comments

In addition to whats mentioned here, social media is being brought together as a sole source, to become more collaborative business tools. Google's Buzz and free apps like that are going to make this more efficient. The amount of time it takes to use multiple social media tools has been a drwaback, IMO, I think things like Buzz are changing this.

RyanFebruary 18 2010 (9:45 AM)

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