Using social media for workplace learning

Social learning is natural, effective and something we all do every day with or without technology. The question for the learning and development profession is how to make it work effectively in an organisation, without spreading bad practice and without alarming the leadership.

"As circumstances vary so widely between organisations there is no simple answer, instead we can learn through examples of social media at work and looking at what is already working. That's what Jane Bozarth brings and her presentation is a 'must attend session' for forward-thinking L&D professionals," said Learning Technologies 2011 Conference Chair, Donald Taylor.

Effective use of social media technologies can help enhance and extend workplace training and learning. With much of the current talk on social media and social learning occurring at the 50,000 foot level, how about a practical approach? Jane Bozarth's session takes a 100-foot view of concrete, specific uses for using social media tools to enhance and extend existing training programmes. While it primarily addresses the use of Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, blogs, and wikis (and private, alternatives), Jane's emphasis is on recognising any new social media tool at their root purpose rather than at face value and her session at Learning Technologies 2011 in January will:

- examine the needs of the trainer and the wants of the learner;
- look at ways social media tools can replicate traditional training activities;
- explore ideas for delivering learning experiences now made possible by new technologies;
- view real - and surprising - application of tools such as blogs, Facebook and YouTube;
- identify strategies for getting into the spaces between formal training events.

The Learning Technologies 2011 conference takes place on 26-27 January 2011 at London Olympia 2. Learning Technologies conference programme and bookings.

About Jane Bozarth

E-learning co-ordinator, North Carolina State Government

Jane Bozarth is an internationally known trainer, speaker, and author. A training practitioner since 1989, Jane holds an M.Ed. in Training and Development and a doctorate in Adult Education. She is the author of several books: Pfeiffer's E-Learning Solutions on A Shoestring; Better Than Bullet Points; From Analysis to Evaluation; and, with Jim Kouzes & Barry Posner, The Challenge Continues workshop package. Jane Bozarth's new book, Social Media for Trainers, offers concrete ideas for using social media tools to enhance and extend workplace training efforts.