Trainers Learning from Learners, Furthering Their Skills

Mike Sachoff writes about a research at University of Minnesota that says social networking is found to be educational.

Corporate trainers can learn from this approach. Listening to students, studying their "technoprofiles", and taking advantage of their skills.

"The study contradicted research from Pew in 2005 that said there was a "digital divide" among low-income students. That study found that Internet usage of teens from families earning $30,000 or less was limited to 73 percent, which is 21 percent below what the University of Minnesota research found."

"Students are developing a positive attitude towards using technology systems, editing and customizing content and thinking about online design and layout. The Web sites offer tremendous educational potential."

What the teachers did in the video is interesting. The study said, upon learning of the students' skills in social networking and their educational value, that teachers began adjusting and developing a curriculum that continues the students' ability to learn and apply their new found skills in social networking.

Corporate trainers can learn from this approach.
1. We need to survey our learners and discover what technical skills they may have.
2. Leverage these skills and design our programs to propagate these skills.
3. Continue listening to our learners' "technoprofiles."

Traditional trainers tend to focus learning on content, not necessarily on learning skills.


Ray Jimenez, PhD www.vignettestraining.com
"Helping Learners Learn Their Way"