Notes from DevLearn08: Learning 2.0 and Workplace Communities

This was another session I attended at the DevLearn2008 conference. It had to do with how learning is changing and how the LMS of the near future might work. It had some great information on how the influx of the Millennial Generation is changing learning, how informal learning is being recognized in on-the-job (OJT) learning and how to incorporate communities into an LMS to acknowledge the learning that comes from informal sources and comprises most of the learning a person will receive on job. I believe I have the hard copy of the handout that went with this session. If anyone is interested I will send you a pdf of it.

Presented by David Wilkins of mzinga

Learning is changing from 1:many (formal education) to many:many (communities)

Millennials:

• work as a tribe, not for a company
• digital generation
• close relationships with family
• openness and flat organizations, peers provide as much coaching as managers

Informal learning accounts for 87% of OJT learning (according to Jay Cross); other numbers (US Dept. of Education, for one) indicate roughly 70%

• 1:1 (99%) - emails, files
• need to make this many:many
• use discussion, use blog
• this makes it searchable

Want to make web 2.0 impact learning: change behavior, have business impact, learn a new skill

Need to find right mix of formal and informal learning

• some things, like OSHA training, should be expert led
• other things, like leadership training, could be learner led

Layer social network over company org chart to make sure social knowledge and expertise isn't lost. (Losing historical knowledge because it's not in the formal learning system can really hurt a company when someone leaves.)

Formal learning will probably split into 2 hybrids:

• formal + social media - bottom up, talent development
  
• formal + HCM (Human Capital Management) - top down, talent management

Getting people to adopt the change is the big issue

• need strong support from respected SMEs
  
• need an incentive program to make sure SMEs add value to the community
• have "gardeners" to check data and make sure it's accurate and current
• include social content to break up silos and get people talking to each other that otherwise might not have
• also helps people to relate social activities and cross-pollinate to work
• helps them learn the technology

Think through end game to determine strategy for incorporation of LMS, social media and community
2 models to get us there:

• Amazon model - social media about a learning resource
• Community model - social media for it's own sake
• piece of model is formal learning
• Amazon model could reside inside community model eventually

• ID becomes facilitator to social media elements around learning resource as well as designer of the learning resource

• move from teach a man to fish to teach a man to teach

Moderation types (all currently in use in various areas):

• Pre-moderation - post is vetted before it goes out
  
• Technology moderation - filters for certain words to only vet those posts
• Post moderation - community moderates itself through people reporting others doing inappropriate posts