Wikipediareports that there are over 500 million users now on the socialnetworking giant, Facebook. Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg toldTechCrunch at the World Economic Forum in 2010 that 175 millionpeople log into Facebook every day. Facebook Mobile exceeded 100million users in early 2010 according to the Facebook Blog. Thesenumbers make it seem that global saturation is inevitable. The U.S.is already there, and trends in Latin America and Europe seem to befollowing suit.
Thisappears to be great news for Mark Zuckerberg and his army ofinvestors. But what does that mean to the learning professional? Thenumbers should at least have your attention. Learning professionalsshould see these numbers and trends as an opportunity. Most, if notall, of our learners are within this virtual community. Thecombination of community participation and developer flexibilityresults in the metamorphosis of Facebook from CMS (Content ManagementSystem) to LMS (Learning Management System).
It’s all in the context
Let’s get somedefinitions out of the way to establish a consistent context for thisthesis. Following are Wikipedia’s definitions of CMS and LMS.
A content management system (CMS) is the collection of procedures used to manage workflow in a collaborative environment.
A learning management system (commonly abbreviated as LMS) is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, and reporting of training programs, classroom and online events, e-Learning programs, and training content.
Many social mediasites fall into the CMS category. These include YouTube, Myspace,Wordpress, Blogger, Slideshare, Justin.TV, Flickr, and many others.Essentially, these sites allow users to upload content and share itwith their networks. Content may even be categorized, and often thereare commenting options and polling (like/dislike) that adds a littlebit of collaboration and learning feedback. However, it is probablysafe to argue that most learning professionals would still classifythese as CMSs.
A LMS provides ahigher level of administration because it enables you to measure theeffects of your learning initiatives. These tools come in all shapesand sizes including the good, the bad and the ugly. Some of the basicfunctions we look for in a LMS are testing data, completion reports,learner feedback, workplace usage data, and a slew of other datapoints to keep the ROI gurus happy. In its typical user packaging,Facebook looks like a CMS and not a LMS. However, when you peel backits surface, there exists the construct to alter its CMS DNA toconvert Facebook to a LMS. The Facebook API (Application Programming Interface) is the enablingfactor.
Bending Facebook to your will
Facebook’s Developer API is the platform that allows you to createdynamic Facebook content. The API accepts FBML (Facebook Markup Language), butat some time in 2011, the API will phase FBML out and substitute iFrames and FacebookJavascript SDK. Facebook via their Developer Blog recommends that newdevelopers use iFrames and the Facebook Javascript SDK moving forward, but FBMLwill be supported for existing Apps and Static pages. Despite the programminglanguage, this type of development flexibility is not common amongst socialmedia sites. Most sites allow you to customize the look of your profile, not theway you interface with your network. Facebook is allowing you to create adynamic individualized environment within its Fan Page infrastructure. You canuse forms, rich media, objects, and essentially most tools you would see in Web-based content. Simply, it is a Website within your Facebook Fan Page.
The Facebook Developer API is theelement that converts Facebook to a LMS. A learning professional can createcontent and upload it. Using the API, you could create forms that act as teststo help you evaluate the success of your learning. The data would then be sentto your aggregate for reporting. Additionally, you can connect your learners with social tools. There are whiteboard apps as well thatyou can add to the page dynamic for synchronous learning. You can stream livevideo. One e-Learning authoring tool (Udutu) has actually created an app thatallows you to develop and exhibit eCourses and tracks the learning experiencewithin Facebook. If budgets are a problem, Google Docs/Forms offers you a verycost effective option to track feedback.
When combiningGoogle Docs/Forms with the Facebook API, you can essentially create your level1, 2, and 3 evaluations. Google Docs/Forms allows you to create multiple choicequestions, fill in the blank, and other options. You would have to get a little creative to automate feedbackbut all the applications are free. When you create your form on Google Docs,you have the option of copying the embed code which allows you to insert theform into many applications including the Facebook API. When the learner inputs data, the application automatically sends it to your Google account and uploads it to a spreadsheet. Thespreadsheet, viewable by all those given the appropriate permissions, isthen pooled into a report with graphs that Google automatically compiles. Ifyou need more than that, some simple spreadsheet formulas should get you there.
Does this really work?
Iconducted two workshops recently, during which I tested this theory.I often infuse social media tools into my instructor-led courses. Iam a huge advocate for this blended approach. In one situation, Iused the Photos feature on the Fan page to enhance the flip chartexperience one would typically get in a traditional course. Learnersprovided feedback on the photos by using the content section undereach of the photos. As the facilitator, I was able to see who wasparticipating, and also whether the learner was achieving the intentof the exercise.
Inthe second workshop Facebook learning exercise, I incorporated GoogleDocs/Forms. I created a form in Google’s application, copied thecode and then embedded it in an FBML page. (Remember, FBML will be grandfathered, but it will not likely besupported for new app development once the transition to iFrames and FacebookJavascript SDK occurs. You will have to convert the code to other programminglanguages supported by Facebook.) You will have to edit thecode from Google to make this work. (There are many YouTube videosthat give you directions on this procedure.) At the appropriate pointin the workshop, I directed the learners to the relevant tabs, andhad them process the exercise by answering the survey as individuals.Google instantly aggregated the feedback and we discussed theexercise as a group. We used the Google report to help facilitate thediscussion.
What’s this mean for learning professionals?
The Facebook Developer API separates Facebook from other social media sites. I won’t go so faras to say it makes Facebook better or worse than the other sites. Itsimply gives the learning professional an opportunity that few othersites offer. That being said, every (or at least most) social mediatool has a value. Following are reasons I believe the learningprofessional should consider Facebook as a learning companion in CMSor LMS form:
There’s a quick adaptation curve because most Learners are familiar with it. Those that aren’t can easily be helped by any number of experts amongst the group.
Learners already have an emotional connection (typically positive) to Facebook.
Much of the Learner’s network exists on this tool, enabling “backchannel” support as needed.
The learning interface can become totally customizable to suit your needs.
Feedback and data become permanent and are usable as a reference tool in the future. It could even be used as an EPSS (Electronic Performance Support System).
All of this is notto say that Facebook is the end-all and that you should abandon yourLMS. There are privacy concerns with proprietary information that youneed to consider. This learning option should not be considered inevery situation. However, there are great opportunities for Facebookto be a great learning catalyst that keeps everyone from the learnerto the bean counter happy.
