The more I particpate in the Personal Learning Environment, Networks and Knowledge, PLENK2010, a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), the more I see an opportunity for governments to enable more effective employee learning. Governments, at any level, can tend to be somewhat soloed with little collaboration and sharing. If governments were to employ MOOC’s ala PLENK2010, I believe we would become that much more effective.
There is a great deal of implicit knowledge and expertise across government. Using a MOOC to create, or expand a PLE for government employees, would allow us to better leverage that knowledge existing in the heads of employees. Org charts and job descriptions, just don’t cut it. A PLE may have an impact on the way civil servants think about collaboration, in a postive way. I think of it as deep networking. Networking is great, but when we start to work together on a problem as in a PLE, a deeper and more solid network and understanding can be created. More understanding between departments could be fostered, allowing for increased sharing and cooperation.
Already, in my short time participating in PLENK2010, I have engaged with several very smart people who have caused me to expand my thinking on learning and social networks. I would like to develop a topic for MOOC for government. Social media may be a decent topic to begin. Your thoughts?
Comments
Hi Stephen, I am Eduardo Peirano on the PLENK2010 MOOC. I think I understand what you need: examples showing sharing information between departments. But that is not a PLE. PLENK2010 is an online open course and it is not a PLE. A good example of what you need: Top secret: DIA embraces Web 2.0 – Computerworld. Or perhaps you would prefer a MOOC (massive open online course) like PLENK 2010 suited to your Government needs
Eduardo
Hello Eduardo – Thank you for the comment. We have implemented the use of web 2.0 tools to some degree, but the uptake and use is still very low. I do understand that a PLE is not a MOOC per se, but a way to facilitate a PLE in a single instance around a particular subject. My thinking was to engage in a MOOC (like PLENK) to help facilitate a PLE/N across government agencies. It’s a means to an end so to speak. Thank you for the ideas.
You asked: “I would like to develop a topic for MOOC for government. Social media may be a decent topic to begin. Your thoughts?”
Why not a MOOC where each department takes care of one topic. They are the instructors. The others comment, share and learn. I am thinking how to motivate participants
emapey – That is an interesting thought. I think you are correct to point out how this might work. Each Department taking the lead on a topic where it is the subject matter expert. This allows for them to engage other Departments on it’s work and then learn how it relates and impacts on other Departments. Very good idea