An Introduction to Learning 2.0

Let’s get philosophical

While still in its infancy, Learning 2.0 is gaining momentum as employers look to connect vital information and training to a new generation of employees. In fact, some employers have already begun to utilize the philosophies and techniques of L2.0 without even knowing it.

Learning 2.0 is not a program. Rather, it is a philosophy bounded only by the roles played by its participants. A teacher’s role in a L2.0 environment isn’t just to plant information but to foster an environment where learning can occur. This may include moderating an online forum, writing blog posts that solicit certain kinds of replies, drafting a wiki page, etc.

The student’s role is to supply content, ideas and questions. Collaboration is the name of the game. In response, the instructor offers suggestions, corrections or clarifications in order to further the discussion. The instructor may follow up by asking certain contributors to expand on specific entries or posts. This may require some degree of research which may, in turn, begin a whole new discussion in which the ‘student’ now becomes the ‘teacher.’

The tools

Each year colleges and universities graduate a new workforce population that is increasingly accustomed to social networking, wikis and online games like Second Life. Each of these incorporate an evolving dimension of interaction. Social networking sites are no longer the destination of the forlorn and lonely.

Technology professionals in particular are utilizing services such as del.icio.us and digg.com to share interesting links along with solutions, hacks and educational resources. Wikis have become common resources for many fields as industries seek to understand and implement an ever-evolving knowledge base. And online gaming now offers opportunities to interact in ways many never thought possible.

As a result, many of the tools for Learning 2.0 are already available to you. The only work on your part is to discover what works best for your learning situation and tailor it to your needs. Before you begin, however, it would benefit you to know something about the language of L2.0.

Do you speak learning?

It’s important to move beyond thinking about learning as a static process. That is, learning does not and should not be limited to a set time and place. Everyday people across the globe exchange thoughts and ideas in their native tongues. Learning is itself a syntax, but only loosely defined by its own grammar. This idea is another critical element of Learning 2.0.

Linguists have defined the study of language as it is used in a social context as “pragmatics” and organizations that thrive on the cumulative creativity of their employees understand something of this (even if they don’t know what they know). Fostering an atmosphere where ideas intermingle with language so much so that they become one and the same thing is not hard. It only requires a commitment to process improvement and employees who are willing to have their ideas re-shaped as they in turn re-shape the ideas of others.

New converts

So what about the Learning 1.0 crowd? How do they fit with this new kind of thinking?  The old adage that “you can’t teach an old dog” does not necessarily apply. Everyone wants maximum results in minimum time, right? The initial investment does not have to be high, and the benefits are potentially plentiful.

Getting people excited about new modes of training doesn’t have to be hard, especially once they understand its convenience and benefits.

Keeping up with the Joneses

Now is the time to at least begin thinking about Learning 2.0. Retention and attraction of quality personnel continues to be the number one issue facing the accounting industry. The brightest employees are continually on a quest for knowledge, and fostering a dynamic learning community may be your ticket to finding and keeping the best. Do your homework, and get started today!