A Guide to Social Learning

A while ago I mentioned that I was revising my Introduction to E-Learning, to produce a Guide to Social Learning.  This is now ready and available as a "social resource" on the C4LPT Social Learning Network.  Let me explain both of these.

The C4LPT Learning Network - c4lpt.net  - is a social learning network, ie an integrated platform of social media tools that provides a place for learning professionals to learn from one another and to collaborate on a number of social projects and activities.  Find out more about the Learning Network here.

The first project I am hosting on the C4LPT SLN is the Guide to Social Learning. As I mentioned above this is a "social resource", and by that I mean you can engage with it in 3 different ways, as you prefer.  You can:

1. Read it - it can be accessed via the link below
2. Contribute to it - If you want to add comments to the different pages of the resource, you can do this, but you will need to get an account on the Learning Network first. (This is currently available for learning professionals only)
3. Co-create it  - if you want to add any supporting materials to help build it into a more comprehensive resource, then, once you have an account on the SLN, you can do this too.  Note too that all members of the C4LPT Learning Network can set up groups to run their own social projects)

The Guide to Social Learning is available here and is divided into 3 sections:

1. Introduction, which provides a "history" of e-learning, and where social learning fits in;  and its importance in both formal and informal learning and for productivity and performance improvement.  It also includes a page of how I believe we are "moving from systems that MANAGE learning to networks that ENABLE learning", a topic I will be presenting on at a number of conferences in the next few months.
2. Using the tools, which looks at the key social media applications, and provides some practical guidance on using the main free tools
3. Building learning environments and networks, which provides an overview of how you can build a formal social learning environment using Moodle, as well as a social learning network (for both formal and informal learning) using Elgg.  (These are obviously both complex subjects, so for any organisation that wants further help with creating a social learning environment or network, we are now offering consultancy services in this area.)

I think that Social Learning Networks will become increasingly important in the near future as organisations struggle to put the social media pieces together in a cohesive fashion across their organisation, AND at the same time provide a flexible platform for (formal and informal) social learning, which allows individuals and groups the freedom to use as they wish.  I'll write more on this in another posting, as well as about the other social projects that I are underway on the C4LPT Social Learning Network. 

I have also started a blog on the C4LPT SLN itself, if you want to keep up to date with activities on a day-to-day basis. Note: the C4LPT SLN is a dynamic environment, so new features and functionality will be added on an ongoing basis.

Comments

[Account Deleted]

As always, I am impressed by your "abundance mentality" as you share and challenge us to make wise use of these technological tools. I look forward to learning from you and hope to add something constructive to your explorations as I work with 11 talented graduate-school-bound seniors.
Regards,
David

[Stacy Doolittle]

The CP4LPT SLN and its Guide to Social Learning is a gift to us all. Thanks for making it happen!