Social Media and Learning

Paul Webster

Community Connector

Learning Pool

@watfordgap

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?

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

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.

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?

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?

Over to You

Which of these Social Media websites does your organisation currently use?

Control. People are talking about you. Acceptloss 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 betterthan 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

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?

Over to You

Where do you go if you want to learn on line?

Do you learn online?

• What are your favourite ways of learning to support your work (on or offline)?

• Survey – March 2012

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)

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.”

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

Link to our Twitter Guidehttp://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

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

#chat2lrn4pm Thur

#nptalk8pm Wed

#lgovsm8.30pm Tue

#alw13

#teamlovely

#localgovcamp etc.

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

Link to our Facebook Guidehttp://www.learningpool.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2010/12/Guide-to-Facebook-Pages-Final.pdf

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

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

Alternatives:Google Sites, SocialGo, Facebook, Wackwall

Other web Spacescommunities building their own spaces for- learning- sharing- discussions

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

AudiobooAnother 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

YouTube is the 2nd most popular search methodMost watched video has over 1.6 Billion views gained in less than 12 months

Video based instructional sitesFrom TEDx, to Commoncraft & Grovo, Modern Lessons or YouTube. Useful if used after an e-learning course to reinforce learning

Blogs -Wordpress / BloggerGreat 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

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!

Things to remember aboutusing 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!

Any Questions So Far?

Build your own learning jigsawYour '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 toosocialsourcecommons.org – build personal 'toolboxes'

Use of e-learning

E-learning - anytime, anyplaceTechnology 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

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

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

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 elementto a formal accreditation or blend with tutor time.

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

Over to You

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

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

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.”

Visitwww.learningpool.com

or follow on Twitter@learningpool

or contact mePaul Webster

paulw@learningpool.com020 7101 9383 or

@watfordgap