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Announcing The New Social Learning SIG
By Kevin Jones | September 17, 2007
About a month ago I presented an introductory ‘Learning 2.0‘ to a sold out crowd at the E-Learning SIG. There was a lot of interest afterward – they wanted to further understand what it is, why it is, and how to use it in learning. Even though it is ‘electronic’ and it is ‘learning’ we felt that there was enough of a difference, and demand, for it to warrant its own SIG.
Some have called this ‘Informal Learning’, or ‘Collaborative Learning.’ I used to call it ‘Learning 2.0.’ We are so new in this space that there isn’t one definitive name for it. We felt the ‘2.0′ nomenclature would limit it, just as Gateway 2000 changed their name to Gateway in (essentially) 1999, so we dropped that. ‘Collaborative’ is a term that not many people can nail down well in this context. ‘Informal’ sounded, well, too informal. ‘Social’ captured the essence and can easily be understood. And so it was…
This SIG will be run very differently than traditional SIGs. Instead of meeting in a physical place, we will meet virtually. We start here, in BlogCascadia. There will be other areas where it will appear and where we will have interaction, but that is for another time.
Because of the virtual nature of this SIG, those who participate need not be only from the Portland, Oregon area. We encourage anyone, where ever you are in the world, to join us on our Social Learning journey. Feel free to forward this to coworkers, colleagues, friends, foes (no pets, please) and anyone else you might feel benefit from this. As a major theme you will see, the more we involve, the more we will learn from each other.
What is our format? That will be somewhat fluid, but there is a method to the madness. I will post a new discussion one to two times a month. It will have some theory, talk about how to apply the theory, some tool discussions and a call to action to get you engaged. I highly encourage comments and postings of what you have found. Let us learn from you! Don’t hold back! Social Learning is NOT about hording information. Let it free! Share it with us as we share with you and we will all be stronger for it. We will also host webinars which will feature the incredible knowledge and experience of industry experts who will help guide us through this wonderful world.
Next week will be the first of real posts. They will all begin with ‘Social Learning SIG – (TOPIC)” and will be tagged with the “Social Learning SIG” tag on the left so all the SIG posts can be filtered. Although I will lead the discussion, I intend to be more of the facilitator, starting off the discussion and helping to guide it, with all of you providing the real good stuff we will all learn from.
Want to discuss something specific? Let me know – comment and let’s get the topic going. Have any questions? Comment on this post and I will answer. You can answer, too.
I really look forward to this. Again, please pass on to any (and all) others and let’s enjoy! See you around (virtually).
Other posts on similar topics- How to Sell Social Learning to the Powers that Be
- Social Learning - Not So New to Me
- Visual Thinking in E-Learning
- Web 2.0 in Learning - Part 2: Blogs
- E-Learning Resources
Topics: - Social Learning SIG |
September 18th, 2007 at 9:56 am
I think this new SIG will be a great tool for all of us - I look forward to participating - - and being challenged - - and learning! I work with a handful of remote employees and don’t feel like I’m maximizing the tools out there to support them / coach them the best I can. Hoping I get more ideas from the social learning SIG.
September 19th, 2007 at 7:47 am
Kevin, this is a fantastic idea! I really appreciate your willingness to help us venture out into the virtual world - sometimes its vast nature can be intimidating, and I look forward to working with the SIG to make it more real for us all. Woo hoo!
Shari
September 30th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Kevin -
Great idea, and glad to join in!
Cindy