Comments on: What is Social Learning? http://blog.thewritersgateway.com/2009/05/11/what-is-social-learning/ One Stop Resource for Instructional Design Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:22:38 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Gilfus Education Group http://blog.thewritersgateway.com/2009/05/11/what-is-social-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-1771 Gilfus Education Group Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:42:42 +0000 http://blog.thewritersgateway.com/?p=1372#comment-1771 <a href="http://www.gilfuseducationgroup.com/social-learning-buzz-masks-deeper-dimensions" rel="nofollow">“Social Learning” Buzz Masks Deeper Dimensions, Social Learning Dimensions – Gilfus Education Group</a> Mitigating the confusion surrounding “Social Learning” — Article by Frank Ganis Foreword – It is our hope that by leveraging socially based technologies the education industry can shape a new educational technology paradigm that realizes the promises of true “Social Learning”.By understanding its applications we can create a unique opportunity to improve student engagement, student retention, academic success and overall educational outcomes. – Stephen Gilfus, Gilfus Education Group (Former Founder of Blackboard Inc.) “Social Learning” Buzz Masks Deeper Dimensions “Social Learning” Buzz Masks Deeper Dimensions, Social Learning Dimensions – Gilfus Education Group

Mitigating the confusion surrounding “Social Learning” — Article by Frank Ganis

Foreword –
It is our hope that by leveraging socially based technologies the education industry can shape a new educational technology paradigm that realizes the promises of true “Social Learning”.By understanding its applications we can create a unique opportunity to improve student engagement, student retention, academic success and overall educational outcomes. – Stephen Gilfus, Gilfus Education Group (Former Founder of Blackboard Inc.)

“Social Learning” Buzz Masks Deeper Dimensions

]]> By: learnability matters » Four Ways to Encourage Social Learning Without Web 2.0 Tools http://blog.thewritersgateway.com/2009/05/11/what-is-social-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-1755 learnability matters » Four Ways to Encourage Social Learning Without Web 2.0 Tools Tue, 11 Aug 2009 07:19:09 +0000 http://blog.thewritersgateway.com/?p=1372#comment-1755 [...] companies are reluctant to invest in social learning using the Web 2.0 tools. You can try and convince your clients about its power and usefulness. But [...] [...] companies are reluctant to invest in social learning using the Web 2.0 tools. You can try and convince your clients about its power and usefulness. But [...]

]]> By: learnability matters » Informal Learning - 7 Reasons Why Organizations Must Promote it http://blog.thewritersgateway.com/2009/05/11/what-is-social-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-1520 learnability matters » Informal Learning - 7 Reasons Why Organizations Must Promote it Wed, 27 May 2009 09:18:30 +0000 http://blog.thewritersgateway.com/?p=1372#comment-1520 [...] learning is also known also social learning and collaborative learning (Read about it: What is Social Learning? by Rupa. As defined by Jay Cross, “Informal learning is unofficial, unscheduled, impromptu, [...] [...] learning is also known also social learning and collaborative learning (Read about it: What is Social Learning? by Rupa. As defined by Jay Cross, “Informal learning is unofficial, unscheduled, impromptu, [...]

]]> By: Rupa Rajagopalan http://blog.thewritersgateway.com/2009/05/11/what-is-social-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-1499 Rupa Rajagopalan Sat, 16 May 2009 17:20:00 +0000 http://blog.thewritersgateway.com/?p=1372#comment-1499 Hi Sahana, Thanks for taking time to pen your views. The essence of social learning is people coming together and learning. If there are people who are unwilling, then this does not hold any meaning to them. It is difficult to change people's mindset :) The good news today is there is technology that allows you to collaborate virtually. So people who want to collaborate and learn will make the best use of it. Hi Sahana,

Thanks for taking time to pen your views.

The essence of social learning is people coming together and learning. If there are people who are unwilling, then this does not hold any meaning to them.

It is difficult to change people’s mindset :)

The good news today is there is technology that allows you to collaborate virtually. So people who want to collaborate and learn will make the best use of it.

]]> By: Sahana http://blog.thewritersgateway.com/2009/05/11/what-is-social-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-1498 Sahana Sat, 16 May 2009 08:42:42 +0000 http://blog.thewritersgateway.com/?p=1372#comment-1498 Rupa, the post was not only interesting but also summarizes the key factors and advantages of social learning very lucidly. I have learnt more about ID, e-learning, web 2.0 and everything besides in the past few months than I have in the past few years. This is due to: 1. Twitter which leads one to great sites, blogs, and helps to connect with people. 2. LinkedIn that introduced me to groups where interesting discussions are happening thus knowledge sharing is quick, pertinent, and insightful. 3. Delicious where I can follow bookmarks of well known IDs, learning gurus, and e-learning experts and learn from the sites they follow. 4. Blogs that keeps me updated on the latest happenings and leads me to other blogs of interest. But all of this I think worked because we have been and are on the lookout to learn more, to upgrade our existing knowledge and skill sets, to know more about what is happening in our field. What happens when everyone is not similarly driven? This is why I like Ram's comments about the "willingness to collaborate" which is the key success factor behind all tools and technology. However, it is also true that the existence and knowledge of these tools and technologies will open up avenues for us to collaborate. Which comes first--the tool or the wish to collaborate is a bit of a chicken and egg dilemma. :) I look forward to more such posts from you--one of my main sources for keeping up to date on most things e-learning. Rupa, the post was not only interesting but also summarizes the key factors and advantages of social learning very lucidly. I have learnt more about ID, e-learning, web 2.0 and everything besides in the past few months than I have in the past few years. This is due to:
1. Twitter which leads one to great sites, blogs, and helps to connect with people.
2. LinkedIn that introduced me to groups where interesting discussions are happening thus knowledge sharing is quick, pertinent, and insightful.
3. Delicious where I can follow bookmarks of well known IDs, learning gurus, and e-learning experts and learn from the sites they follow.
4. Blogs that keeps me updated on the latest happenings and leads me to other blogs of interest.

But all of this I think worked because we have been and are on the lookout to learn more, to upgrade our existing knowledge and skill sets, to know more about what is happening in our field.

What happens when everyone is not similarly driven?

This is why I like Ram’s comments about the “willingness to collaborate” which is the key success factor behind all tools and technology. However, it is also true that the existence and knowledge of these tools and technologies will open up avenues for us to collaborate. Which comes first–the tool or the wish to collaborate is a bit of a chicken and egg dilemma. :)

I look forward to more such posts from you–one of my main sources for keeping up to date on most things e-learning.

]]> By: Rupa Rajagopalan http://blog.thewritersgateway.com/2009/05/11/what-is-social-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-1490 Rupa Rajagopalan Wed, 13 May 2009 05:44:43 +0000 http://blog.thewritersgateway.com/?p=1372#comment-1490 I agree :) I agree :)

]]> By: Ram http://blog.thewritersgateway.com/2009/05/11/what-is-social-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-1489 Ram Tue, 12 May 2009 16:26:59 +0000 http://blog.thewritersgateway.com/?p=1372#comment-1489 Totally agree Rupa. Again, it depends on how people effectively use these virtual collaboration tools. How many people have commented on your blog or participate in the discussion forums on LinkedIn I created? So, it largely depends on peoples' mindset!!! :-) Totally agree Rupa. Again, it depends on how people effectively use these virtual collaboration tools. How many people have commented on your blog or participate in the discussion forums on LinkedIn I created? So, it largely depends on peoples’ mindset!!! :-)

]]> By: Rupa Rajagopalan http://blog.thewritersgateway.com/2009/05/11/what-is-social-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-1488 Rupa Rajagopalan Tue, 12 May 2009 16:13:15 +0000 http://blog.thewritersgateway.com/?p=1372#comment-1488 Thanks for the great thoughts ram. I completely agree that collaboration is the key. I mentioned tools just to hint that people can collaborate virtually now:) Virtual collaboration is effective because of these tools. Thanks for the great thoughts ram.

I completely agree that collaboration is the key.

I mentioned tools just to hint that people can collaborate virtually now:) Virtual collaboration is effective because of these tools.

]]> By: Ram http://blog.thewritersgateway.com/2009/05/11/what-is-social-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-1487 Ram Tue, 12 May 2009 16:06:38 +0000 http://blog.thewritersgateway.com/?p=1372#comment-1487 Another best example for Social Learning is use of Post-it notes. I have observed in our company that many engineers write the code snippets on post-it notes and stick them all around their cubes. This way, it helps not only the person who created them, but also other engineers that work on similar projects or similar programming languages. So, Social Learning a.k.a Collaborative Learning should not be confused with technology tools...it is more about the way people collaborate and learn. Even, in a classroom environment, we get to meet lot of people..the instructor is merely a facilitator of learning and there is no doubt this person disseminates knowledge or information, but we learn more by collaborating with others. So...the word "Collaboration" is the key!!!!! Another best example for Social Learning is use of Post-it notes. I have observed in our company that many engineers write the code snippets on post-it notes and stick them all around their cubes. This way, it helps not only the person who created them, but also other engineers that work on similar projects or similar programming languages. So, Social Learning a.k.a Collaborative Learning should not be confused with technology tools…it is more about the way people collaborate and learn. Even, in a classroom environment, we get to meet lot of people..the instructor is merely a facilitator of learning and there is no doubt this person disseminates knowledge or information, but we learn more by collaborating with others. So…the word “Collaboration” is the key!!!!!

]]> By: Ram http://blog.thewritersgateway.com/2009/05/11/what-is-social-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-1486 Ram Tue, 12 May 2009 15:44:54 +0000 http://blog.thewritersgateway.com/?p=1372#comment-1486 Well, I agree with all you mentioned and here are some of my thoughts. Social Learning is not just about using the Web 2.0 tools viz., Wikis, blogs, and Social Networking in isolation. Though I agree technology enables Social Learning, yet it should actually come from us, the people who use them. As long as people do not want to collaborate, howmuchever efforts we put in, will not produce desired results. Let me substantiate this with an example...We all know that managing e-mail is one of the hardest things especially when working on multiple projects and we setup a Wiki page for each project and ask our team members to post their status and other updates there. But, people are so used to E-Mail and they just do not want to use this new tool for the simple reason that they don't want to learn on how to use it. Technology aside, Social Learning is also about capturing the tacit knowledge that exists in the organizations today — water cooler discussions, lunch meetings, and discussions that happen when you travel with your colleagues while coming to and going from office. It is about moving from conscious incompetence to unconscious competence. Well, I agree with all you mentioned and here are some of my thoughts. Social Learning is not just about using the Web 2.0 tools viz., Wikis, blogs, and Social Networking in isolation. Though I agree technology enables Social Learning, yet it should actually come from us, the people who use them. As long as people do not want to collaborate, howmuchever efforts we put in, will not produce desired results. Let me substantiate this with an example…We all know that managing e-mail is one of the hardest things especially when working on multiple projects and we setup a Wiki page for each project and ask our team members to post their status and other updates there. But, people are so used to E-Mail and they just do not want to use this new tool for the simple reason that they don’t want to learn on how to use it.

Technology aside, Social Learning is also about capturing the tacit knowledge that exists in the organizations today — water cooler discussions, lunch meetings, and discussions that happen when you travel with your colleagues while coming to and going from office. It is about moving from conscious incompetence to unconscious competence.

]]>