Integrating Web 2.0 Technologies into Workplace Training

Well, it's week five of blogging and this is getting fun!  This week I'd like to look at Web 2.0 technology as it affects my world - and yours, if your employer offers learning and development opportunities.  In my role as organizational development specialist, one of our team's goals is to assess training needs of those employed at SU and then determine, based on our resources, what specific training we provide to the community.  Another key determination is how we provide specific training.  My colleague, Jenn, shared a great article with me that I'd like to discuss today.  The article, Blending Web 2.0 Technologies with Traditional Formal Learning:  A Guide for CLOs and Training Managers, gives a number of specific examples of how companies might blend Web 2.0 with formal learning.  Take a look and let me know your thoughts on the article.  Meanwhile, I'll share my thoughts.

In thinking about this article, it's important to understand the definition of formal learning.  Per the article, "Formal learning is learning that occurs based on a set curriculum and through a well-defined learning event.. (and) generally requires that you stop what you are doing - stop your regular work activities - and dedicate time to the learning experience"(Stone, 2009, p. 3).  Just a few years ago, workplace training meant live, instructor-led training on a specific topic.  That is one example of formal learning.  Then new technologies allowed for more common approaches to formal learning, that include self-paced e-learning and synchronous virtual classroom learning.  Now let's think about informal learning.  Per the article, "you can generally consider  informal learning to be any learning that occurs outside of the planned, and structured formal learning events" (Stone, 2009, p. 3).  Informal learning can be huge - the article notes that "70 -80% of the learning in a corporation is informal" (Stone, 20009, p.3).  A great way for companies to increase informal learning is to promote the use of Web 2.0 technologies, including blogs, discussion forums, wikis, social networking, social bookmarking, and podcasting.  This article not only gives the definitions of these specific activities but also discusses potential uses by corporations.  Imagine a discussion board for managers on how they handle various employee relations issues.  Imagine this as a supplement to formal training on the topic of managing others.  This could be very impactful and very helpful to participants (managers) as well as the people they supervise.  Of course, in this example, it's key that the forum be monitored by a SME to make sure information being provided is correct (or at least aligns with the company's policies).

There is a great chart in the article which lays out a possible matrix for various learning programs.  For example, new employee orientation could incorporate ILT, e-learning self-paced courses, discussion forums, and wikis.  Has any one used all of those learning modalities in your new employee orientation?!  If not, you might just see these in the future.

Anyway, I hope you find the article interesting.  Let me know what you think - and also what you have seen or heard in regard to companies utilizing various Web 2.0 technologies to enhance employee learning.

Resource:
Stone, T (2009).  Blending Web 2.0 Technologies with Traditional Formal Learning:  A Guide for CLOs and Training Managers.  Element K Corporation.
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http://www.elementk.com/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=e9a061c1-2694-4fda-abfb-56565b07a783&groupId=2814201