Are Web 2.0 tools designed to support learning?

Whether it is Web 1.0 or Web 2.0 tools, we need to understand and evaluate the affordances of the tools and their abilities to support and deliver learning effectively. Today, I came across a case study that evaluates the pedagogical affordances of web 2.0 technologies.

The case study makes some interesting points about the pedagogical affordances of web 2.0 technologies. To put it across in layman’s perspective, the case study analyses the abilities of web 2.0 tools to deliver training.

1) Very few of the current crop of Web 2.0 technologies started life designed as educational tools. (Which is very true. Web 2.0 technologies are designed for collaboration, sharing, content creation etc. They are not designed exclusively to deliver training.)

2) The specific design and functionality of a particular tool or technology does not define its pedagogical usefulness. Rather there are other important ingredients required including the imagination and creativity of the individual user as they conceptualize problems or issues in their own environment that the particular tool might facilitate or help solve. (I agree. As a consequence of point 1, most web 2.0 tools cannot by themselves deliver training. To help integrate into the formal structure of training delivery, trainers and learners have to tweak and modify them with the features and functions to support training-related tasks.)

3) Categories of ‘affordances’ associated with Web 2.0 or social software: • Connectivity • Collaborative information discovery and sharing • Content creation • Knowledge and information aggregation • Content modification

However, what is interesting is that these affordances need not necessarily lend themselves into “training or learning” affordances. Let’s map the affordances of Web 2.0 tools to evaluate their applicability in a training framework.

What are the typical learning/training needs and how can Web 2.0 tools support these needs?

1. Learners should be able to relate concepts to real life application. To facilitate this, Web 2.0 tools must support streaming media and dynamic content in order to show application of concepts through cases, scenarios, and examples. Trainer can post video clips visuals or presentations, learners can reflect on these and post their comments. Examples: YouTube, discussion forums, blogs.

2. Learners want to practice what they have learned and preferably in a real-life or realistic situation. Therefore, Web 2.0 tools must have features that support free movement of learners within an environment that is close to real. The environment should show consequences, offer alternative paths to explore, make decisions, deconstruct, move, and respond to stimuli. Trainers can design a dynamic environment that simulates real life. In this environment, learners are exposed to situations or offered options where they can practice in a fail-safe mode. Examples: Virtual world, simulations

3. Learners today need to work in groups during the learning process. The Web 2.0 technologies must support multiuser activities such that multiple learners can interact in a dynamic learning environment. The learning environment can facilitate interaction among many learners and allow them to interact, share, and create. Examples: Virtual worlds, blogs, and wikis.

4. For learning to be effective, it needs to facilitate interaction among learners, trainers, and experts in a synchronous mode. To make this happen, Web 2.0 tools need to support instant exchange of messages and feedback among multiple users. They should provide a platform where learners can post comments and trainers/experts can view them and respond. Examples: Virtual world, web-conferencing tools like WebEx, Twitter

5. Learners want to have the freedom to take notes, make handwritten annotations on visuals, video, comment on specific audio files etc. The Web 2.0 tools should enable learners to scribble notes, make annotation on the video or the image, and rip information bytes from the videos, podcast or audio files. Both trainers and learners should be able to display annotation (feedback) from each other instantly or selectively depending on the training need. Examples: Web-meeting and conferencing tools, web learning applications

You can view a list of Top 100 Tools for Learning compiled by Jane Hart of Center of Learning and Performance Technologies.

Therefore, to conclude, Web 2.0 tools are designed to facilitate collaboration, sharing of information, content creation, easy updation, and democratization of the web world. Trainers, learners and instructional designers can capitalize on these facilities to design and deliver effective learning solutions.

Partner or Perish

That's the survival mantra for most companies big and small today. Let's pool our strengths to prosper. Ten years back my boss used to say "why slog alone trying to re-invent the wheel when you can stand on the shoulder of a giant." And this wisdom works wonders today as well. More so for small companies that do not have deep pockets.

Companies like us have niche services, great people, precious clients, and survive comfortably. But to expand our services, expand into newer geographies and expand our client base we need not run looking for VCs. A good partnership can be like a good life partner who can propel each other to greater heights. Some points to remember about partnerships:

Before you get into one!

1. If you want a partnership in the same region, look for companies that offer complementary skills. This strengthens both without worrying about the dark clouds of competition. Helps pool marketing resources, pool network, and basically emerge stronger.

2. For partnerships across geographies, look for companies that have similar philosophies and work culture. Also, watch out for their history of growth, types of clients, and skill level of people. The key here is to work together for a while and load test each other's idiosyncrasies!

3. For partnerships with support companies, check out the team size, team skills, and their commitment levels. If you have to depend on the support team for client deliveries, it is critical for them to appreciate quality and deadline as much and you do.

After you are one!

4. Set clear communication channels between the partnering companies. There is nothing worse than a relationship going sour due to miscommunication or no communication. Talk, talk , and talk. Believe me, I've learned the hard way! Eliminate all barriers in communication, remove complex channels, pick up phones or take a flight, but never let the threads of communication to fray ever.

5. Mutual respect - There is no place for egos in a partnership. And believe me most entrepreneurs are so used to making their own decisions that they have a tough time listening to another entrepreneur about how to run his business. But, leave your ballooning egos behind. Remember, its not just your business, its our business now. Respect each others' skills, expertise, opinions, and ideas. Honor each others' clients and client commitments. Share responsibilities.

6. Be it joint ventures, partnerships, or collaborations - all relationships need to be nurtured. They cannot mature overnight, so give it time, patience, thought, and attention. Offer as much support as you can. Understand the quirks, appreciate the differences, and celebrate the togetherness. Yes, I may sound like a marriage counselor :) but I believe all relationships (more for a company-company relationship) need to be handled with care and sensitivity!

In the fast and furious era of change where your business vision gets redefined every 4 months, it is impossible to grow in an island. So, all you entrepreneurs, Partner or Perish!