I have recently interviewed 17 fellow IBM colleagues in various countries and at various levels in the business to find out their views on the effectiveness of social computing for workplace learning. Here are a few of my early discoveries in the research project I am undertaking for my MSc in Management:
1) Despite the pervasive availability of smartphones, nearly all social learning is still done from a desktop or laptop computer.
2) Learners like the unstuffy, 'just in time' nature of social learning when enabled by technology.
3) The absence of structure often makes it difficult to find what you need, although too much structure (such as one might find in an LMS) throws up its own barriers to learning.
4) Being able to identify 'experts' in a particular topic and contact them directly is almost as important as getting access to learning content they have created and shared online.
My research continues and if you'd like to be in with a chance of winning a £50 (UKP) Amazon or iTunes voucher, I would appreciate your help in completing this questionnaire www.surveymonkey.com/s/3HD7JQW
The questionnaire will be available until 20th July 2012 and it takes about 10 mins to complete. Every participant who leaves an email address will receive a 'thank you' in the form of a $10 (USD) store credit to spend with National Geographic's partnerwww.novica.com - a great way to support artisans in developing nations.
Participation is anonymous (unless you wish to leave your email address), and all my findings, conclusions and recommendations will be published in October, and sent to those who wish to receive a copy.
