I knew this question would come up, but I was not ready. Maybe I faked it well enough? You tell me.
I just joined in on my first podcast: The Cascadia Chapter of ASTD’s PodCascadia, posted today (Episode 50). In there I was asked, “What is the difference between traditional knowledge management and Social Learning?” I had thought about it before and, to tell you the truth, decided to put the research of that question off. But I knew I should do that soon or someone was going to ask me. Well, it happened and I wasn’t ready. But I have thought about it more and want to expand on my answer in the podcast.
- The answer I gave is that Social Learning is much more dynamic, free flowing. With traditional knowledge management (TKM, just because I am lazy) there were tools and everyone had to buy into the tool, learn how to use it and then fit it into the organization – or, for the organization to fit around it. It was a great idea that became a dirty phrase because it was difficult to implement and do correctly. Social Learning works how we want to work. There are very few rigid processes that need to be followed. The tools are simple and intuitive.
- The fact that there are ‘tools’ plural is an added benefit. I may like to share information one way. Frank Ferter may like to share it another way. Whatever is comfortable and works into my way of working. That creates adoption.
- Again, because of the limited nature of TKM, it was difficult to be creative. I can now, if I want, post text, pictures, videos, podcasts, vodcasts, link to other bits of knowledge, easily search it, tag it, share it through social bookmarking, see who the other contributors are, rate it, comment on it, edit it… I mold it into what works for me and the rest of the group.
- TKM was implemented top down – a mandate. SL is from the bottom up. We want it. We are already using it. We are asking that other organizations use it. We are comfortable with it (or are becoming more so).
That is a high level gloss of an extended answer. I haven’t done any research on it (obviously) but I thought this might give a little more clarification. There are a lot of differences.
Do you have any more?
