Future of Org L&D April 2009 Topics

[Harold Jarche]

Our global brainstorm is gathering steam, with updates on The April 2009 Event page.

We still need more input from the community, either in the form of questions or things that you would like to share. Examples and short case studies, positive & negative, would be helpful. If you are available for any of the sessions and have something to add, then please note it below and join us. Can you respond to or discuss any of these questions from our community?

Questions:

Why not teach employees how to learn, provide social networking tools and training to develop lifelong learners?

How do we stimulate a networking culture?

How can we get learners to take responsibility for their own learning?

Does anyone have a case study that involves the pathway of "learning --> collaboration ---> innovation ---> business value"?

Examples of a corporate Personal Learning Environment?

How are people blending their current LMS implementation with the needs of the informal/social learning paradigm?

Any advice on implementation?

[Jay Cross]

Harold, let me add that people can propose a variety of formats. They might propose:

• a conversation they're willing to lead or take part in
• a brief presentation or example
• a web tour
• an online debate
• a brainstorming exercise

We're looking for volunteers here, people to kick off or lead events.

Most sessions should be 15 minutes or less with few or no slides.

Finally, propose an approximate time. Pick a time that's open on the schedule.

So, my fellow LearnTrenders, what are you going to bring to the party?

[Mirjam Neelen]

I would like to have a debate on why so many people NOT share their knowledge in organizations. I am planning to write my thesis on this topic and although I would like to focus on just online CoPs and intrinsic motivations (e.g. enjoying to help other people or self-/internet-efficacy), I would like to broaden the discussion here and see if we can come up with some categories. This is my "plug-in" for now: cultural (east versus west?), organizational (culture, hierarchy, management support, rewards/incentives), relational (social capital), technical (unfamiliar with, don't know where to look, what's found not perceived as valuable), individual (feeling of lack of expertise, afraid of losing face, desire to keep knowledge for yourself in order to feel "unique")...
Please, let me know what you think. Thanks! Mirjam

[Darrin Hayes]

I think we could add to the question about how do we stimulate a networking culture, by asking "How do we move from a top-down, one-way only corporate learning culture to one that first recognizes, and secondly rewards workers who expand and leverage their personal learning networks to support the goals of the organization." And what does the picture of using one's learning network to support the organizational goals look like?

[Nancy Rountree]

Boy oh boy what juicy questions you have here. I experienced something today that makes me think that networking has got to be a learned skill that is taught to employees. I was recently assigned to a new online learning project and was in search of good examples to show my client. In the process I came across a 2005 example of a talking head/ content that was fairly effective. I was curious as to the tool that was used. Researching info online and using the tools and tricks of the trade lead me from company to company where this instructor had moved until I finally found him and was able to contact him via email. He responded back within 20 minutes and now we are scheduled to have a chat about elearning technology stanards later this week.

5 years ago, the idea of finding a network and online research was not really heard of. I would have simply looked at the presenter, their company and thought -- that's nice. Today, the idea of networking with others via IM, email and other collaborative tools is so so very cool.

We, as educators of the workforce have the responsibility to teach our co-workers, how to search and find the information clues that lead them to the answers they seek.